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SEC Media Days 2015: Day 2 recap

By Josh Criswell

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SEC Media Days continued on Tuesday, with four teams taking the podium. Here are a few things to take away from Day 2 in Hoover.

Next: SEC Media Days 2015: Schedule, TV info and live stream

The second day of SEC Media Days 2015 provided plenty of quotes and storylines.

Steve Spurrier spoke his mind freely, as if we expected anything else from the Head Ball Coach, the Texas A&M Aggies raved about their new defensive coordinator, while head coach Kevin Sumlin backtracked on some comments he made earlier this year and Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen discussed swag in easily the most awkward moment of the week so far.

South Carolina, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Tennessee spoke with the media on Tuesday, as well as SEC Coordinator of Football Officials Steve Shaw.

Shaw got the day started by discussing rule changes for the upcoming season.

South Carolina

Next up was South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier, who never fails to impress when speaking with the media.

Along with LSU’s Les Miles, Spurrier is easily one of the most quotable figures in college football, and he is clearly not afraid to speak his mind. Between comparing himself to the PGA’s Dustin Johnson to giving his take on retirement, the 70-year old coaching legend provided an entertaining experience as always.

Here are just a few of the most memorable quotes from his appearance on Tuesday, via SB Nation:

"“A lot of familiar faces out there. After a lot of years coming out to this event, I figured a bunch of you guys would have retired by now.”“We were 7-6, the same as Tennessee, the same as Arkansas, and I think they’re celebrating big seasons last season so we were celebrating also. We were doing cartwheels and high-fiving after that Independence Bowl game.”"

Wide receiver Pharaoh Cooper, linebacker Skai Moore and kicker Elliot Fry made appearances for the Gamecocks as well.

Texas A&M

Head Coach Kevin Sumlin, offensive linemen Mike Matthews and Germain Ifedi and defensive lineman Julien Obioha took the podium for Texas A&M on Tuesday.

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The team’s new defensive coordinator, John Chavis, was the biggest storyline for the Aggies. Chavis was convinced to leave LSU to revamp a struggling defense at Texas A&M.

The emotions from the Sumlin ranged from optimism when discussing what Chavis brings to the table, to awkwardness when denying tampering with him prior to the Tigers’ bowl game, despite admitting to the contrary on national radio earlier in the year.

Here is what Sumlin had to say regarding LSU, per NOLA.com:

"“You know, you got guys we’re recruiting, the same guys. I get a big hug from Jamal Adams right before the game, and then he goes out and just tries to knock our guys out. So we’ve got guys on both sides of the field. We’re recruiting Louisiana. They’re recruiting Texas. We’ve got all kinds of story lines involved, but certainly people want to make it what it is. Everybody’s always going to look for some reason to ratchet it up a bit.”"

On taking the ‘if you can’t beat ’em, hire ’em away approach with Chavis:

"“That’s exactly what I did. There’s really nothing more to the answer than that. That’s true. We’ve studied the defense. We get it. We struggled. It’s a great fit for us and a great fit for him.”"

Sumlin also touched on the possibility of employing a two-quarterback system with returning starter Kyle Allen and highly-touted incoming freshmen Kyler Murray.

Next: LSU football: 3 biggest games in 2015

Mississippi State

Head coach Dan Mullen, quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end Ryan Brown and defensive back Taveze Calhoun spoke to the media on behalf of the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday.

Prescott is coming off of an impressive 2014 campaign, in which he put Mississippi State football on the map and set the stage to emerge as one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates this season. The senior quarterback talked about staying humble and focused amidst the tremendous hype surrounding himself and the football program, per KTBS.

"“I just try to be me. I don’t think of myself as a celebrity. Obviously, there’s going to be some bad things that come with it, to the good things to being able to impact kid’s lives and being able to share things with them to motivate them as they get older and can affect them to be a better person, a better player.  Sometimes it’s fun.  Sometimes it’s overwhelming. I’ve just got to stay humble, be grateful, and continue with a level mindset through it all.”"

Mullen, meanwhile, was making waves on Twitter as well for his wardrobe decisions and constant desire to stay ‘swagged up’.

Tennessee

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, linebacker Curt Maggitt and defensive back Cameron Sutton joined head coach Butch Jones at the podium for the Tennessee Volunteers to round out Day 2 at the SEC Media Days.

Visibly aware of Spurrier’s comments on the excitement at Tennessee following a 7-6 season last year, Jones fired back at the SEC coaching legend.

Per CBS Sports:

"“Contrary to reports, there were no back flips and there were no somersaults. In the world of college football, you’re judged on wins and losses but you’re also judged by, ‘Did your team overachieve,’ or ‘Did your team underachieve?'”"

Jones certainly has a valid point, and given the constant failures his predecessor Derek Dooley, fans in Knoxville, Tenn. have plenty to be optimistic about.

Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas are scheduled to address the media on Wednesday.

Next: LSU football: 5 players poised for a breakout season in 2015

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