2019 SEC Media Days Recap: Day 4
SEC Media Days has returned to Hoover! But not for long. The 2019 version of SEC Media Days has begun and as always, there are things to talk about. Each day, we’ll be recapping the biggest news and notes from SEC Media Days.
Day 4:
Derek Mason led off the final day of SEC Media Days as his usual, energetic self. Mason will rely heavily on his returning skill position players, Jared Pinkney, Kalija Lipscomb, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Vaughn has a new running backs coach, former Auburn coach Tim Horton, and both Vaughn and Mason are excited “you talk about acquiring Tim from Auburn as our running backs coach, let me tell you, there’s nobody more excited about Tim Horton than Ke’Shawn Vaughn… you could tell it was teacher to student. Coach Horton has lots of experience, but more than that, he loves teaching and he loves building young men. And that’s what our program is about.”
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn spoke with a little more enthusiasm and openness to the media than usual, here are the highlights from his 30 minute press conference in the main media room.
Auburn and Oregon in Arlington, Texas will be ESPN’s College Gameday.
Malzahn did not announce a starting quarterback, and said the decision will be made in fall camp
Although no quarterback announcement was made, Malzahn did say that the quarterback would run more as a way to be more dynamic on third down
As has been said in the past, the offensive philosophy is to run the ball, throw down the field, and go faster tempo wise
Malzahn is very excited about the wide receiving core, mentioning the return of Will Hastings and Eli Stove, as well as the freshmen impacts from Seth Williams and Anthony Schwartz.
Defensively, Coach Malzahn is expecting to have the best unit in his ten years at Auburn (Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator.)
Malzahn did not take one side of the other in the ongoing transfer portal debate, only that whatever coach manages it the best will have a real advantage
Probably the best response from Gus Malzahn on Thursday was his response to how he deals with the constant talk about his job.
“I got a job that expects to win championships, and I expect to win championships. I knew that when I signed up for that. In the years we win championships, it’s good. The years we don’t, it’s hot seat this, hot seat that. And I think out of the six years, four had been this same rodeo. And it’s just part of the job description.”
Malzahn continued “I’m very excited about this year. And you ask how you deal with it, that’s just part of being at a place that expects to win championships. Some places eight wins, they celebrate. That’s just not part of Auburn.”
That will do it for SEC Media Days 2019 in Hoover, continue following SportsCall all season long for the latest on everything Auburn athletics.
