The Elephant Not in the Room

May be up to Pittman to help fill giant void at SEC Media Days

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – SEC commissioner Greg Sankey strode to the stage and began what would be one of 14 introductions given on behalf of league coaches before their annual televised question and answer sessions with the media to kick off the 2022 football season.

"He instructed me that the line that says he walks on water is now incorrect," Sankey said of the upcoming coach. "He now jogs on water."

Sankey explained, unknowingly for the last time ever, that the coach in question once led a team in Finland, is known for his excellent Netflix recommendations and is the go-to source for the best barbecue in town. Of course anyone who has followed the SEC over the past few years knows Sankey was introducing The Pirate himself, Mike Leach. Those who guessed correctly also know that he tragically passed away last December, leaving a gaping hole when it comes to entertainment value and colorful aura to what can be a rather dull annual exercise each summer.

It's hard to imagine Kentucky's Mark Stoops rolling to the podium to expound upon a quality watch involving guys trying to buy a submarine from Pablo Escobar, nor flipping the question on the media to pick up a few Netflix ideas himself. Alabama's Nick Saban is good for a solid quote or two as he grows more into his "Get off my lawn!" persona while drifting further into that age of life where the filter falls away and what is going through the brain falls out of the mouth, but it's just not the same. 

If Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin could bring a bit of his online persona, he might be the closest thing the SEC has to his former in-state coaching buddy. That might even allow him to bring along his dog Juice to help handle questions. It would certainly be refreshing. However, the real life Kiffin isn't nearly as loose and quippy as the Twitter version of himself. He also isn't as likely to be as blatantly honest as the following.

"So, opening statements, well, I hate opening statements," Leach said in his signature gravelly voice in 2022. "I don't really see the point of it. So, as opposed to me sitting there and thinking of some flowery opening statement, which I have done before, and then at the end of the opening statement a number of people ask questions that have already been addressed in my opening statement, I just decided we just sorta cut out the middle man, then you can go ahead and ask the questions and I will go ahead and answer them."

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz has developed a reputation for being a little off the beaten path much in the same vein as Leach, but he's on a bit of a different path. The road to tiki bars and pirate swords is much different than the one that leads to showing up in full Darth Vader cosplay to a press conference. It's the difference between intriguing brilliance with a bit of wit and good old fashioned cringe. Not that there's anything wrong with cringe. It's just not Leach's style. Carrying the weight of Mike Leach is just too much to ask of Drinkwitz.

Perhaps the only coach who can pull off an answer like Leach's regarding no opening statement without coming off as a total jerk is Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, who has often been listed as a solid No. 2 behind Leach as the most enjoyable person to hear from in years past. For those who only know Pittman for his "Yes sir!" and "Turn that d@&# jukebox on!" catchphrases, he knows how to have a good time with the media as evidenced by his breakdown of a play a while back that caught a lot of attention.

Pittman always seems a little uneasy at these things when he's up on the podium, but he's definitely improved over the years. It's when he comes over to do interviews at the desk, he takes off that coat of stress, relaxes like he's at the local pub, and has a good time, making for unique moments. He may never break down dinosaurs or pirates, but if someone wants to ask for marriage advice like once happened with Leach, there are probably worse people to ask. Pittman's probably got a few nuggets after being married to his wife Jamie for so long as their journey travelled to so many states.

How deep Pittman's barbecue Rolodex goes compared to Leach's is up for debate, but as many times as he is spotted taking in a bit of food at various restaurants, he would definitely be high up on the lists of coaches I would trust to not only make a few quality recommendations, but to also haul off and share a few stories to go along with them. 

He also gets out to various local concerts to take in music from bands many would be shocked to know are still alive. Yet, there he is taking in the atmosphere among the people. It's exactly what he was doing as fans waited anxiously for 4-star running back recruit Braylen Russell to stop coyly addressing the man he was on the phone with during his commitment reveal as coach and just let them know where he's going already. What Andy Hodges wrote is only part of the story. Hopefully, someone will ask for the missing pieces at media day. 

Simply put, no one ever can, nor ever will, replace Mike Leach. He was a treasure both in background, spirit and intelligence that college football never deserved. However, there's a need for fun, endearing highlights from SEC Media Days to fill up the internet in his absence. Someone has to step up to fill at least some of the void. Beginning Monday, we will see who honors the man with a great showing that brings forth the colors of life, and who sticks to the black and white world of X's & O's and injury reports. It won't be the same, but at least he paved the way to show how to make these things tolerable.

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