The SEC Media days were a hot ticket this year with the return to Birmingham of that subpeona-fleeing, orange clad, cheeto-eating prison wardon from Knoxville (who despite all that is actaully a great coach) and the gun-slinging, sharp-tongued, evil genius from Columbia in attendance. Despite the paneply of new and/or high profile coaches, it was the Ole Ball Coach stealing the show in the eyes of the media. He was noticably more subdued than in most years when he would usually take shots at his opponents and ALWAYS take shots at former commissioner and BCS entusuiast Roy Kramer, but that didn't stop ESPN and rest of the gaggle of media from their group swoon. For now, Spurrier refrained from talk of SEC championships and has kept his sights on respect.
"Hopefully we get a little respect, but we've got to earn it. You can't just say 'Spurrier's coaching South Carolina.' That's not going to mean much to the players."