Hour 4: Live from SEC Media Days

Summary

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The Paul Finebaum Show: Live from SEC Media Days – Hour 4

Date: July 22, 2026 | Host: Paul Finebaum
Guests: Brandon Marcello (CBS), Damian Harris (Former Alabama RB), Michael Katz (Ole Miss Beat), Booger McFarland (ESPN/SEC Network)

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Episode Theme & Overview

Broadcasting live from SEC Media Days in Tampa, Paul Finebaum gathers top analysts and insiders to discuss the burning questions and personalities defining SEC football as the 2026 season approaches. The hour zeroes in on leadership transitions at Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU, the expectations facing new and established coaches, the ever-shifting standards of success in the SEC, and the cultural energy of "talking season" in college football.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

John Sumrall’s Bold Arrival at Florida

[01:38–03:35]

• Brandon Marcello and Paul examine John Sumrall’s “on fire” presence at media days, noting his high-energy, blunt style and willingness to cuss in front of reporters.
• Sumrall’s candid admission about Florida’s insufficient offensive line strength—“I went in there and the offensive line could not lift the type of weights I wanted them to push” ([03:04] Feinbaum quoting Sumrall)—reflects the depth of the rebuild.
• The panel agrees Sumrall brings a transformative edge but urges caution on immediate expectations due to the difficulty of Florida’s first-year schedule.

Notable Take:
“Summerall is one of those coaches that just practices what he preaches, and I love that about him.” — Paul Finebaum ([01:48])

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Alabama’s Changing Culture and DeBoer’s Challenge

[04:08–07:13]

• Questioning Kalen DeBoer’s fire: The crew wonders if DeBoer’s measured, sometimes passive public demeanor can inspire Alabama to the same ruthless standard Nick Saban set.
• Damian Harris laments Alabama’s recent “words not results” trend: “We have not seen the proof on the field” despite continued winning ([04:08] Harris).
• Expectations at Alabama are stark: Every coach is ultimately measured by national championships, not playoff berths.
• Fan and player perceptions: High-profile running backs choosing Texas over Alabama in the transfer portal is cited as evidence of waning confidence in the Crimson Tide’s championship viability.

Memorable Exchange:
"Is your legacy defined by winning national championships? ... The answer to that is yes, yes and yes. That is what your legacy is defined as."
— Brandon Marcello, on DeBoer’s expectations ([05:36])

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Quarterback Competitions and Transfer Era Dynamics

[09:03–13:12]

• Alabama QB room in flux: Competition between veteran Austin Mack and five-star Keelan Russell, with concerns about developing two distinct offensive identities mid-camp.
• Transfer portal impact: The ease with which blue-chips might seek greener pastures if they aren’t immediately validated—“I’d be on the phone with my agent saying, get me out of here.” – Damian Harris ([08:14])
• Insight into young QB frustrations: If Russell loses the job again, his sense of underappreciation may drive him to transfer, illustrating a wider SEC trend.

Notable Quote:
"Whenever you step in front of the podium, whenever you speak, you speak with authority, and even if you're not there yet, there's a different way... to handle." — Damian Harris ([08:16])

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Pete Golding’s Ole Miss Introduction & Lane Kiffin’s Media Tentativeness

[15:13–23:27]

• Michael Katz spotlights Pete Golding’s ease with media: Golding’s “genuine,” no-nonsense style contrasts Kiffin’s performative distance and has helped steady Ole Miss post-Kiffin.
• Golding v. Kiffin, September rivalry: The upcoming faceoff is seen as the season’s must-watch, with both parties currently attempting to “defuse” any animosity before the inevitable media storm.
• Kiffin and the local media: Kiffin has avoided regular interaction, preferring national exposure—“He gets all of the stuff that he needs out there without us.” — Michael Katz ([21:14])
• Contrast in styles: Pete Golding’s interpersonal accessibility is “what Ole Miss needed right now,” giving local media and fans more direct engagement.

Memorable Exchange:
"It's a business transactional relationship and that's how [Kiffin] does it, and that's fine... But, yeah, I'm not surprised."
— Michael Katz on Kiffin's media approach ([19:59])

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LSU’s Ambition & Lane Kiffin’s Tall Task

[27:03–29:33]

• Booger McFarland on LSU post-Kelly: “Change was needed… LSU, make no mistake about it, it's not about trying to get to 8 and 4… it's about competing for championships.”
• On Lane Kiffin at LSU: While “not championship-or-bust” in year one, Kiffin must have LSU contending for (if not securing) a playoff spot immediately in the new 12-team format.
• Dabo Swinney & Clemson opener: September’s LSU–Clemson clash is highlighted as the most significant week-one game, with high stakes for both program and coach trajectories.

Notable Quote:
"When there are 12 teams in the playoffs, LSU needs to be one of those 12 teams."
— Booger McFarland ([28:40])

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Alabama’s Unique Pressure & The DeBoer Dilemma

[33:29–35:04]

• Following Saban’s legacy is a no-win gauntlet: DeBoer “is always going to be in a no-win situation” because championship expectation is absolute ([34:12] Booger).
• No grace period for successors: Only the coach after DeBoer will truly get patience from Alabama fans.
• Transfer Portal & NIL context: Saban’s departure partly attributed to a changing landscape—“He couldn't recruit the way that he did” under new rules (Booger, [36:15]).

Memorable Quote:
"Alabama doesn't want to be 10-2... they don't care about making the playoff... He's got to do the same thing [as Saban]."
— Booger McFarland ([34:12])

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The Expanding Playoff and the New Parity

[36:51–37:53]

• Broader playoff = more real contenders: Booger estimates as many as 14–16 teams capable of winning a title, up from 3–4 in the past.
• Initial skepticism turning to acceptance: Even expansion critics (including Booger) now see benefits with NIL and transfer rules leveling talent.
• SEC scheduling wisdom: The league wisely front-loads “cupcake games” early to avoid end-of-year criticism and set up for stronger late-season showdowns.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sumrall’s passion:
  “He came in on fire…practices what he preaches.”
  — Paul Finebaum ([01:48])

• On Alabama’s new coach mold:
  "He’s a mad scientist as a coach. But how does he get that message across to his team?"
  — Damian Harris, on Kalen DeBoer ([03:43])

• On the transfer portal mentality:
  "I'd be on the phone with my agent saying, get me out of here."
  — Damian Harris ([08:14])

• On following Saban:
  "You want to be the guy following the guy that followed the guy."
  — Booger McFarland ([34:12])

• On playoff expansion:
  “I was against [expansion]… I’m with it now. I think we’re eventually going to 16."
  — Booger McFarland ([36:51])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sumrall & Florida culture shift: 01:38–03:35
• DeBoer’s Alabama challenge: 04:08–07:13
• Alabama QB & transfer portal impact: 09:03–13:12
• Golding at Ole Miss; Kiffin-Media dynamic: 15:13–23:27
• LSU, Lane Kiffin, and Year-One Stakes: 27:03–29:33
• DeBoer replacing Saban/Standard at Alabama: 33:29–35:04
• Playoff expansion & era parity: 36:51–37:53

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Summary Flow & Tone

Energetic, opinionated, and conversational, the hour captures SEC Media Days’ spirit—equal parts anticipation and skepticism. The experts don't just preview the season; they dissect the “why” behind shifting power, public pressure, and locker room psychology. Insider anecdotes, especially on coach-player locker room relationships and the transfer portal’s impact, give the episode a unique edge for any SEC or college football fan who demands insight beyond the box score.

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Transcript

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[Damian Harris]

The pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Fine Bomb show. Our four podcasts. This might be college football

[Paul Feinbaum]

final hour

[Damian Harris]

has arrived here in Tampa. Don't forget we're here tomorrow all day as well. The big story tomorrow, Arch Manning and Lane Kiffin. Lane Kiffin getting second billing to Arch Manning there. Always great to say hello to Brandon Marcelo from CBS and Damian Harris, who we often talk to while he was a star running back. I appreciate that at the university. Always love talking to you.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Appreciate that. Thank you. Likewise.

[Damian Harris]

So what's going on with you these days?

[Brandon Marcelo]

Joining the desk with you gentlemen? I mean, we're here to see the sights and sounds. We're here to get excited about these SEC programs. We've heard a lot of coaches talking. We've seen the players. Ultimately, it's up to what they do once it's time to roll the ball out there and snap it and play. But it's an exciting time to get out here and get excited about college football being back.

[Damian Harris]

And today was an exciting day for a lot of reasons. And I want to ask you about John Sumrall, Brandon, because he delivered quite a message this morning.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Yeah, you know, he met with a small gathering of us earlier today and he was pumped up. He came in on fire. And I was not surprised by that because that's just who he is. He's a guy that loves to juggle while talking. He likes to do so many things at once and let loose a couple of S bombs today, which was nice. And then Pete Golding had a follow up with one of his own. But I really liked what I heard from him. The, even the admission going back to his first year at Troy about how he looked at the roster, said, hey, maybe we can win six games this year, go to a bowl game and they end up winning 12. I'm not so sure at Florida with their schedule, they're going to be able to sit there and go, hey, we're winning nine games this year, winning eight games this year, but he's going to get them to a bowl game, show some progress, which is what they really need. And I think the big thing for me was hearing from the players about how much they like him and how much they love how hard he coaches them and gets after them, but also tells them, hey, I love you guys. And you know, Summerall is one of those coaches that just practices what he preaches, and I love that about him.

[Brandon Marcelo]

I'm interested to see, though, because as you sit here and say, it's kind of unrealistic for Florida to look at this schedule and say we're going to win eight games, we're going to win nine games. But how many times do we hear John Summerall talk about he's not patient, he is in a hurry to correct the problems that were happening in Florida. And honestly, it was just a culture problem. And he believes that he is the missing piece. He believes he's got a talent.

[Paul Feinbaum]

When you hear, I mean, this morning said he was like, I went in there and the offensive line could not lift the type of weights I wanted them to push. And he said I couldn't believe it. And he said we finally got them going this summer. So it's just stuff like that. Like I can't believe offensive linemen at the University of Florida are not pushing weight the way they need to be in the sec.

[Brandon Marcelo]

I bet they are now. And they are now because again, Paul, I mean, when you sit here and you listen to somerall talk, when you just look into his eyes, you can feel the intensity. Now, that's just for us as spectators. Now imagine how he is with his players in terms of trying to get the best out of him.

[Damian Harris]

We don't need to go deep on what motivated you under your coach.

[Brandon Marcelo]

I don't think there needs, but I

[Damian Harris]

am curious about some of the coaches because, you know, he's like that. Golden apparently has just broken the mold at Ole Miss. And then there's Caleb DeBoer who is a mad scientist as a coach. But how does he get that message across to his team who he talked about today saying we've got to be tougher and we're working on that. Well, thank you.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Yeah, I mean, it's one thing to say that, but then it's another thing to do it. And I think over the past couple years, Paul, we haven't seen it right. We've heard a lot of words, we've heard a lot of goals and ambitions, but we have not seen the proof on the field. Now, let's make no mistake. Alabama has been winning football games. They've been to the College Football Playoff. They beat Oklahoma. We do not see the same Alabama football being played when we watch, even when they win. And that's what we're all expecting, right? And I think that it's hard because obviously when we listen to Kaylin DeBoer talk, he's very smart, he's very intelligent, he knows how to say the right things. But it's his demeanor and it's kind of his passive approach to the way that he answers some of these questions. And we're expecting a tough, tenacious football team on. On the football field. I have the same is you. How do you break that barrier and then come across to your players and get them to perform in a manner that's a little bit different than your approach?

[Paul Feinbaum]

My question for him is, like, the coaches like him and they respect him.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Do they fear him or the players?

[Damian Harris]

Well, and the thing about DeBoer that you have to admire, I mean, he. He wins games, yes, from his stance on the field. I mean, he's that good of a coach. But, I mean, I said earlier to somebody, after listening to him, I mean, I want to hear a little more passion when he's asked about championships. And he said for the 19,000th time today, Damian, you know, I know what we signed up for. Coach Saban's great coach. I mean, I don't care about any of that anymore. Do you? I mean, I want to know when is this team going to play for a championship?

[Brandon Marcelo]

I want to know the same things. Paul and I would like to hear Caitlin DeBoer say them. When you are asked, point blank period. Is your legacy defined by winning national championships? You and I, the three of us sitting at this table, know the answer to that is yes, yes and yes. That is what your legacy is defined as. And if. If you understand what you signed up for, if you are ready for that role, well, guess what? That is the responsibility that comes with it. You don't, unfortunately, get to pick the circumstances under which you are. I mean, you do because you signed the contract to become the head coach. But the expectation is the expectation. And to your point, we're not hearing the answers to the questions that you have.

[Paul Feinbaum]

No.

[Damian Harris]

And he works in on a drive named after a coach who won six national championships. Across the street is a stadium named after two, three coaches, but two of them have 12 at Alabama. And I don't care about a college football playoff win. I've covered a lot of national championships at Alabama, including some that you played on. So don't tell me about a win. Tell me about a championship. That's exactly right.

[Brandon Marcelo]

We, And I give him his grace because again, he has won. You sat here and said it. He is a winning. He is a winner.

[Damian Harris]

We all know who won, has been to the playoffs in year three.

[Brandon Marcelo]

But again, Paul, is this not what I'm saying? This is what we expect and this is what we want to see. And we are at a point now where as media members and I've talked to a lot of local reporters, local Alabama radio stations, we're essentially begging Kaylyn DeBoer to answer these questions, and not just with his words, because obviously they would be great. Don't get me wrong, his words, his affirmity, that would be great. But we want to see the result on the football team.

[Paul Feinbaum]

I think, like, the thing to me that happened this off season that told the tale of what Alabama's turned into is that NC State's running back, Hollywood smothers one of the top guys in the transfer portal, commits to Alabama, and you're like, okay, Alabama's gonna kind of get that identity back. Tough program, be able to run the ball a little bit better. And then he decommits and goes to Texas. I think the story's out, like, everybody's like, I don't think I could win a championship at Texas or, excuse me, at Alabama this year. I'm going to Texas, where I have a pretty good idea that I'm going

[Damian Harris]

to win a championship. And you had another guy in different circumstances, but you had a guy who looked at Alabama a couple years ago as one of the top receivers. Cam Coleman, he just, he went straight to Austin. Him. He didn't bother to commit to Alabama first.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Right.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Well, can I, Can I ask you a question?

[Booger McFarland]

Can I ask you to.

[Brandon Marcelo]

To put yourself in a young Daniel Hill shoes or an E.J. crowell fresh Alabama running back, five star, one of the best players in the class. If you were running behind an offensive line in which your head coach came out and said, we're not there yet, would that give you confidence in this upcoming season?

[Booger McFarland]

No.

[Damian Harris]

I mean, I'd be. I'd be on the phone with my agent saying, get me out of here.

[Brandon Marcelo]

And that's, that's. And again, that's a part of. Whenever you step in front of the podium, whenever you speak, you speak with authority. And even if you're not there yet, there's a different way. There's A different way to handle.

[Damian Harris]

Yeah. I was on a show earlier and somebody was defending coach DeBoer saying, listen, you know, it takes time. It's year three. And I was asked today by somebody on ESPN, is this championship or bust for Lane Kiffin? It's a ridiculous question, but it's also not illegitimate when you consider everything that he's already done there before the first game.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Yeah.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Number one transfer class, his pedigree as an offensive play caller, a veteran quarterback in Sam Levitt. And then you've got Alabama over there. They're having a quarterback competition where it sounds like he doesn't quite know what to expect there.

[Damian Harris]

Go.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Maybe go with the veteran and Austin Mack. It sound like he was leaning that way today, going to preseason camp, like, that's my guy. Until Russell shows us a player though,

[Damian Harris]

we know, we know Keelan. Russell Sky's on limb. You've seen plenty of five star quarterbacks show up and go, I have taken

[Brandon Marcelo]

a lot of handoffs from him.

[Damian Harris]

Yeah. And the fans cannot will this young man to be a great quarterback. He might be. Maybe he is, but it doesn't sound like he's going to start as a player on that team. What are you thinking about when you're watching this kabuki dance go on?

[Booger McFarland]

Well, you're.

[Brandon Marcelo]

You're thinking one of two things, right. One, if we're in the midst of this quarterback competition, essentially between now in the first game of the season, we have to learn two separate offenses.

[Booger McFarland]

Yeah.

[Brandon Marcelo]

We have to learn two different styles of football. And that can either be a curse or you can look at it if your team responds well and you, you can look at it and say you've got a versatile football team. But we know that that's not as likely to happen.

[Damian Harris]

But how different. Explain how different it is though, because there's not much time.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Yeah, well, no, there's. I mean, it's a big difference. One is a quarterback who's going to stand in the pocket and you've got to protect him and he's got to get the ball out on time and on rhythm. And another quarterback is a guy that can use his legs, extend plays. He can be a plus one in the. So that sures up a little bit, gives you an extra option with that

[Damian Harris]

offensive line that's not quite there.

[Booger McFarland]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Well, again, it gives you a little. Another set of fresh legs and some fast ones to get out there and run the football. Those are the two different styles that we're talking about here. But to get back to Your original question point two is if you're a guy and you. Let's say, for example, you think the same thing that we're sitting here saying. Keelan Russell is the talented quarterback, he's the more talented quarterback. He should probably be playing because he gives us the best chance to be explosive on offense. He's the better player, but he's not playing.

[Paul Feinbaum]

The question I got about that is, I want to know, is Alabama making the quarterbacks live in practices in preseason camp to see how Russell reacts to when the live bullets are coming so he can take off and run when he sees something and run plays are going to the type of plays he's going to be able to run in the season. Except we're not judging the film in practice without it being live for a quarterback like him is unfair. It's completely unfair because he cannot be judged fully based off of his abilities. If you're blowing the whistle because someone's

[Damian Harris]

three feet, tell me this. And again, we all want to see Keelan Russell. Sorry, Austin Mack. I don't care. They've seen, they know. Mack, been there four years, Washington, Alabama. Russell just didn't pop in last night.

[Paul Feinbaum]

Been there.

[Booger McFarland]

Correct.

[Damian Harris]

What more do they need to see?

[Brandon Marcelo]

Well, from my understanding, because last season, whenever Ty Simpson won the job from somebody that I knew within the program, what the answer that I was told was. Keelan Russell is one of the best football players on our team, but he's a young guy that makes mistakes that do not equate to winning. If the story goes as we're anticipating and Austin Mack wins the job and it's because of his experience and his familiarity, that's one part of it. But it's also because Keelan Russell is still making plays that they're not confident equate to winning football.

[Damian Harris]

So one step further. If you're Keelan Russell and you don't get the job and, you know, sometimes, you know, just because if Austin Mack wins the job, there's no reason you're gonna pull him from that job. And you're Keelan Russell. You thought you had an outside chance last year. Obviously it didn't matter because Ty Simpson ended up being who he is. What are you thinking about as a player?

[Brandon Marcelo]

Thinking about Walken. And this isn't me speaking as somebody who's in that locker room. You can make it a nameless, faceless situation. Like you said, he was given an outsider's chance last year to become the starter, but this year, everybody has been pretty confident that he should be the guy if he has to go through the same thing for two years. And on top of the fact of the fans from day one, not just day one of this season, day one of last year have been calling for you. Then you start to feel underappreciated. Then you start to feel like your talent isn't recognized. Then you start to feel like, well, I'm going to have opportunities somewhere else. And guess what? I can go ahead and count on probably both hands and toes, not just in the sec. How many people would come trying to get Keelan Russell?

[Damian Harris]

That is some smart analysis right there from a guy who knows. Man, I'd love to have seen you right now. You'd be wheeling and dealing. I got my phone,

[Brandon Marcelo]

you know, hey,

[Booger McFarland]

I don't know what I would have

[Brandon Marcelo]

done in these days, man. It's an unpredictable time right now.

[Damian Harris]

Great conversation. Damian. Brandon, thank you very, very much. We'll take a short break. We'll talk a little bit about Pete Golding and the former coach at Ole Miss.

[Paul Feinbaum]

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[Brandon Marcelo]

You know, when you're locked in, focused and fearless.

[Damian Harris]

Welcome to the wnba.

[Booger McFarland]

Your vision narrows.

[Brandon Marcelo]

You can't look away. Every assist, every stop, every loco three,

[Damian Harris]

every.

[Brandon Marcelo]

Did you see that moment?

[Damian Harris]

What records are going to be broken this season?

[Michael Katz]

All of it. Right here.

[Damian Harris]

Lock in.

[Brandon Marcelo]

It's the WNBA on ESPN all season long.

[Damian Harris]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast. We're live at SEC media days. When I say that, I wonder if some people think maybe we're dead at SEC media days. We will be tomorrow afternoon. Michael Katz joining us, covers Ole Miss. And I don't think anybody expected Pete golden to steal the show today with elk. Elko was always eloquent. You heard from Sumrall there and you knew what you were going to get from Kaylin Deborah. So tell us about Pete Golden's first trip to the big room.

[Michael Katz]

Yeah, I think for us who have gotten to know him a little bit over the last few years and really few months as head coach, we weren't Surprised by this. Pete is really, really good at work in a room. It's part of why he's an elite recruiter. He just walks in a room and kind of owns it. And he did that today. He says some things he probably shouldn't say. And I think people think that's. They appreciate that. He's very genuine, he's authentic. He's just a ball coach. And I think that resonates with people. And I mean, I think he knocked it out of the park. He was asked some tough questions. Obviously, we had to ask about Lane Kiffin and his relationship and, you know, the Dabo Sweeney stuff from the off season. And I think he handled those about as well as he could have. He just. I think he understands this part of coaching really well.

[Damian Harris]

Nobody is going to defuse September 19th. Even if they do, it's not going to change. We all know what that game is going to be. But just in the way he answered that question today, take us through that and what you think it might have done for him.

[Michael Katz]

I think it was a refreshing answer. I'm not surprised by it because I assume he knew he was going to get asked about Lane at some point, but really his answer to an extent was, you know, there's no ill will. You do what you do as a professional. And he is thankful for Lane that he got him to Oxford and got him the opportunities that he's had and, you know, he still considers him a friend. And it was more of a. It was appreciation where, you know, it could have very much gone the other way. I think a lot of people in Oxford probably feel the other way, but he was very appreciative. He was a pro about it. And I think that's only a good thing for Pete.

[Damian Harris]

And on that, I'm not trying to undo a game that's the number one game on the college football calendar, but do you think it can possibly lead up because Kiffin has just been mysteriously quiet, uninteresting. Tamar could change that. But I will ask you, what do you expect from Lane Kiffin tomorrow?

[Michael Katz]

Boy, isn't that the million dollar question? But I do think he'll probably be a little bit reserved, not reserved, but I think he's going to say the right things. I don't think he's going to go off the script. As you know, he's been kind of MIA from social media. He's taken a step back from a lot of the things that really made him popular because I think there was, it seems like there was a call to get him to maybe back off of some of the things that he said, particularly about Oxford and Ole Miss in the off season. So I do think there's some defusing going on by all parties. But, you know, it could completely change. And I do expect around the week of the 19th, something is going to be said. I don't know what it is, but it's going to happen.

[Damian Harris]

Yeah. And again, I often have to be careful when I'm talking to you about Kiffin. We both know him pretty well, and I don't want to speak for you, but I don't find him as fascinating on social media as almost everyone watching and listening does.

[Michael Katz]

Yeah, I mean, it's part of a job. Right. And when you are constantly following it, it gets a little tiresome at times. There's a lot of gamesmanship happening and there's a lot of performative stuff. And that's part of. Again, it made him really popular. But, I mean, you saw how quickly it flipped when he went to lsu, Ole Miss. People were like, oh, we hated this. We hated this from the start. He was always immature, all these sorts of things. But, you know, as part of his brand, he's never been afraid to put himself out there. So it has been weird not seeing him or his dog tweeting in a little bit.

[Damian Harris]

Michael, I was a little surprised. I was speaking to a prominent reporter, covers LSU a couple weeks ago, and I said, so what's been the relationship with you and the media and this is guy. This is a guy that has a big presence in Baton Rouge. He said, we haven't seen Kiffin. I said, you mean not having you over for tea and crumpets? And he said, no, we haven't seen him since, I think, what, the opening press conference. You know, we saw him once or twice during Spring ball. I see you smirking. Is that similar or dissimilar to the Lane Kiffin you knew for the many years you've covered?

[Michael Katz]

I can tell you're probably surprised by the answer as well. You know, it's a business transactional relationship and that's how he does it, and that's fine. But, you know, we're not seeing him a ton outside of the scheduled press conferences and his obligations and things like that. There's not a lot of small talk with him. That's fine. That's his prerogative. He can do whatever he wants. But, yeah, I'm not surprised. I actually, I was worried you were going to say that he's taking them all out for dinner and I was going to be like, man, you knew better. Where did I go wrong?

[Damian Harris]

And I don't say that because I really. But there are some coaches who even Nick Saban at Alabama, he. He herded the media in big groups because. Primarily to lecture them, but he still met with them. And there's a trick of the trade when you do that. It's not that hard to do. But Kiffin doesn't seem to be too interested in that, does he?

[Michael Katz]

Yeah, I just don't think it's ever really been a priority for him.

[Damian Harris]

I guess he doesn't need it. He gets great press anyway.

[Michael Katz]

And that's the thing. He doesn't. He doesn't need it. Why would you go out of your way to do it if you know he's got all the national people he needs? He gets all of the stuff that he needs out there without us.

[Damian Harris]

No, I think you answered my question, and I must confess, I knew the answer. But that's who he is. He's got the guys on Saturday morning in his corner. And why bother with some guy who lives in the community and communicates and talks to or writes to or to the people that care about the team the most?

[Michael Katz]

Yeah. And it is frustrating at times. You know, you don't expect special treatment or anything like that when you're there

[Damian Harris]

every day, but you just want to be treated.

[Michael Katz]

You want fair access, Right?

[Damian Harris]

A modicum of respect.

[Michael Katz]

Yeah.

[Damian Harris]

Forget all access.

[Michael Katz]

Yeah. And again, that's his prerogative, and I always respected it. That's not my battle, necessarily.

[Damian Harris]

I don't really. I just don't think it's that hard.

[Booger McFarland]

No.

[Damian Harris]

And the only reason I bring this up is that those are the people that the folks in Bat Rouge or the folks in your community aren't consuming. They're consuming this stuff hour by hour. And it's not that hard for any coach, doesn't matter who they are, to. To give them something, give them nuggets so the masses can be fed.

[Michael Katz]

Yeah. I will say. And, you know, obviously Pete is very new at this in terms of being the head coach thing, but it's just a different feeling when he walks in a room. And because he'll have a conversation, he'll chit chat, he'll have some barbs with you. It's just. It's very different. Not like it's not a good thing or a bad thing, comparatively. It's just very different. And I think Ole Miss needed different right now with how everything happened with Lane leaving. They needed someone like Pete who is so different in terms of the personality, the way he handles himself, the way that he handles media, people, relationships, all those sorts of things. And I think he's aced the test so far.

[Damian Harris]

Well done. Michael Katz joining us. Always great. Michael, thank you very, very much. We are down for 30 more minutes live from Tampa. I think you will very much enj our next guest, he is a surprise. You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast and we welcome you back. And what a, what a, what a week this has been. But my favorite moment may be about to happen because when the SEC Network launched in 2014, one of the original faces was Booger McFarlane. And then you were such a hit, you left us all behind.

[Booger McFarland]

I don't know about being a hit. I think they got tired of me. They told me, they told me to go up to the mothership and be on ABC a little bit.

[Damian Harris]

You were a sensation and we've had a lot of great times together.

[Booger McFarland]

We did, we did. Had some fun. Always enjoy coming on. Your listeners welcome me just like I was one of theirs. So that was a good thing.

[Damian Harris]

Well, it's just great to see you. So first of all, like, you're about to have to go back to work again. I know you don't like working.

[Booger McFarland]

Well, you know, it's amazing. I remember the first SEC media days we did was in Hoover, Birmingham. It signaled that our summer was almost over. And so that's kind of how I look at it. You know, when I turn the TV on and I see talking season and I see Spurrier because they still run the montage of him, it lets me know that summer's winding down and kind of the most important time of year for us, which is football season is almost upon us. So look forward to it.

[Damian Harris]

I saw Nick saban here about 7 o' clock this morning and there was hardly anybody around us. So what are you doing this summer? He said play golf every day.

[Booger McFarland]

He does, yeah. I didn't realize that he was that big of a golfer. He plays a lot. He's a member of just about every spot in America, too. You know, they tell him to come on. He don't even need a membership. He just shows up. But that's kind of what I've been doing, Paul. You, you play golf? I got a, I got a daughter that's starting college in the fall. Tell me about it. Time's rolling, man.

[Damian Harris]

So she going away?

[Booger McFarland]

She's going away. She's going to little college in Atlanta called Spelman. Oh, yeah. I've heard.

[Damian Harris]

I've heard of it.

[Booger McFarland]

You've heard it.

[Damian Harris]

Yeah. Got a little bit of history.

[Booger McFarland]

Exactly. So, yeah, I got. My son's in the sophomore in college, man. So. Excuse me, high school. So things are rolling, buddy.

[Damian Harris]

Well, I remember being down here for the national championship game in tampa. I don't know, 2015 maybe. It's cold.

[Booger McFarland]

I remember that. You remember how cold it was?

[Damian Harris]

Yeah.

[Booger McFarland]

No.

[Damian Harris]

And then I met you and your wife and some of your teammates from the Bucs, and you're quite a celeb down here.

[Booger McFarland]

You know what? I just kind of hung around. That's it, man. I got the Tampa had. Never seen a palm tree in my life. Literally never seen a palm tree. And 27 years later, Paul, sunshine, no state taxes, great people. The climate is very similar to that of Louisiana, which is hot and humid. So I love it.

[Damian Harris]

Mind you, you just got my attention when you said, no state taxes. I didn't know that.

[Booger McFarland]

Yeah, no state taxes here.

[Damian Harris]

Bug, let's talk a little bit about college football. There's so many different twists and turns, and you have a unique. I mean, you're obviously in the studio. You have a front row se everything during the season, but just in terms of the changes in the sec, especially at your alma mater.

[Booger McFarland]

Yeah.

[Damian Harris]

You've never been shy to give your opinion about what's been going on down there. What do you make out of playing Kiffin?

[Booger McFarland]

Well, first and foremost, a change was needed. I think throwing good money after bad is a terrible mistake. And so I think you got to figure out. You had to figure out a way to get Brian Kelly out of there. I wish they did. And then the next move was to figure out the coach that LSU needs. You know, lsu, Paul, make no mistake about it, it's not about trying to get to 8 and 4. You know, when Jerry Donaldo was the coach my freshman year, that's what it was about. Now it's about competing for championships. And if you can't put a program and a roster on the field that can compete for a championship, then it's a problem in Baton Rouge. And I think, you know, Verge Arlesberry did an outstanding job. Who's athletic director? He identified the coach. He wanted to. He went out, he got the coach that he wanted. And, you know, Lane has done everything that you would have wanted your head football coach to do down in Baton Rouge. Had a good spring. He's got a quarterback, he's got a really good roster. Now, at some point in the near future, Toe's got to Meet leather. And we got to play football. And I think everybody associated with our university is happy where we are right now.

[Damian Harris]

And you made a living being on all these shows. You were the first. I think you were the first analyst on getup. So I'm on there one day this week, Booger, and they asked me, is it championship or bust for Lane Kiffin? And I gave an unpaul fein bomb like answer. I said no. I said, everybody loves the guy. I said, you know, they want a championship and they'll get one, but it doesn't have to be the first year.

[Booger McFarland]

Correct.

[Damian Harris]

Is that fair?

[Booger McFarland]

I think it's very fair. I would also add, though, it's not championship robust. I think we need to be in the playoff.

[Damian Harris]

Okay.

[Booger McFarland]

I think when there, when there are 12 teams in the playoffs, LSU needs to be one of those 12 teams. He doesn't have to win a championship this year. I think Indiana has kind of got the entire nation dreaming that you can get it done. But I think Indiana got into the. They got into the playoffs the first year. So I think, you know, when you look at lsu, schedule's tough. It's the sec, it's a nine game schedule. Everybody's got it this year. I think the ability to get off to a fast start in Baton Rouge, in the Rio Deaf Valley, September was it the fifth, when Dabboy comes to town and he's already crying about, you know, hey, don't pick us, and all that good stuff. I think that's a super important Dayton College football, because for as much attention that's around Lane, he has the opportunity now to get off on a good start. And it may be for about two weeks, the biggest environment in college football until he goes to Oxford.

[Damian Harris]

Yeah. And listen, we both live through Dabo's dynastic period. It's over now. It's somewhat of a shell of itself. But you see Clemson and LSU and

[Booger McFarland]

it gets your attention, no doubt about it, 100%. Because just like last year, it may not have the same cachet as last year. Both teams were in the top 10. But I think the intrigue around Lane, the intrigue around whether Dabbo can turn the ship around, if not, they may want him out of there at the end of the season if it's five and seven or six and six. I think the intrigue around those two games I think is too much to pass up.

[Damian Harris]

And he could feast, assuming he got a win, which I think is very, very small chance, he could feast on that for a long time. Beating An SEC team.

[Booger McFarland]

And he, you know, just leave it to Dabbo. He'd tell you about it, too. Yeah, no, he's.

[Damian Harris]

Every. Every time I see him on tv, he's telling me what he used to do.

[Booger McFarland]

And not only that, but I like to give Dabo his flowers because Dabo did things a certain way and he didn't deviate. Everybody, Everybody ridiculed him about not going in the portal. He just said, I'm gonna do it my way. And you can do it your way when you're successful, but when you start to have seasons the way they had last year, you can't do it. And again, there's so much intrigue around it. Paul, College game day said we're going to Baton Rouge to see that game. They said that almost two months ago. So it lets you know that because of the two coaches, because of the two programs, because of the history, because of everything around is the central focus of college football. Week one.

[Damian Harris]

You know what's so interesting? It is the biggest game, but it's also one of the worst opening weekends we've ever had compared to last year, which was probably correct.

[Booger McFarland]

However, I think when you look at the combination of week one, week two, when, when. When Texas and Ohio State play, I. I think it kind of makes up for it a little bit.

[Damian Harris]

No, no, I agree. You have. That game was the. The headliner a year ago, and now that game was moved. And it. It looks like cupcake weekend in a way because they got all these just terrible. But the SEC is probably smarter to get them out of the way the first week so nobody can criticize them the next to the last week. Booger, stick around. We'll get your thoughts on a couple other issues in the sec, including Alabama. I know you're a huge fan of what's happening with Kaitlyn DeBoer, and we will hear about it next.

[Booger McFarland]

Tomorrow morning is knocking. Stock your fridge now. How about a creamy mocha Frappuccino drink? Or a sweet vanilla smooth caramel maybe? Or white chocolate mocha? Whichever you choose, delicious coffee awaits. Find Starbucks Frappuccino drinks wherever you buy your groceries.

[Damian Harris]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum Show Podcast.

[Booger McFarland]

We're back.

[Damian Harris]

Final few minutes. What's really been a fun show and even more fun that one of the first people I met at the SEC Network sitting with me right here, Booger McFarlane, who was a big part of the launch. And those are some pretty spooky days when you think about it, because we had no earthly idea what the Reaction would be.

[Booger McFarland]

I remember the day like it was yesterday, Paul. August 14th, I think.

[Damian Harris]

Exactly.

[Booger McFarland]

And they turned the light on and we did a two hour special and we were at every school and we were just talking.

[Damian Harris]

Yeah.

[Booger McFarland]

And then. And then the first game we had was Vanderbilt UMass.

[Damian Harris]

Oh, yeah.

[Booger McFarland]

And it was an 88 minute rain delay.

[Damian Harris]

That's right.

[Booger McFarland]

And me, Greg McElroy and Dari, we're on the TV. We had three commercial breaks in 88 minutes. So they. You talk about talking season. Yeah, no, it was really talking.

[Damian Harris]

I just got such a kick out of seeing you around the office and the studio and you'd come in and we really had a blast. And the thing I've always loved about you, you're just. There's no equivocation. You say, bug, what do you think about Boom.

[Booger McFarland]

Yeah. Be direct, Paul. I learned that a long time. Like I'm not smart enough to figure out nine different routes. I need the direct path to straighten forward. And I think people respect you a lot more when you kind of give them a direct answer. Cut through the minutiae. You know, men talk a certain way. That's kind of way I've kind of how I grew up.

[Damian Harris]

And so you don't. You're not here anymore. But you've sat through a lot of these media days. And the reason I bring this up is because Kalyn DeBoer is an enigma to me. Everyone agrees he's one of the best coaches around. But he came up here today and was asked the question about championships at Alabama. And he said, I know what I signed up for. I understand all that. We want to win a championship. But.

[Booger McFarland]

But.

[Damian Harris]

There was a but. And I just wonder sometimes as great a coach as he is, and he's a top 10, any coach. Michigan wanted him, other schools have wanted him. How important is putting a really fine coach in a place like Alabama, which you well know eats its own?

[Booger McFarland]

I think the issue with Caleb Dubois, he's always going to be in a no win situation. Here's why. Because he followed Nick Saban and regardless of how good he is, he's judged on one thing. Championship. Alabama doesn't want to be 10 2. They don't care about 10 2, 11 1. They don't care about making the playoff because of what the guy that he's following did. He's got to do the same thing. He's not going to get the grace that the next guy will get. You know, they often say you want to be the guy you don't want to Be the guy following the guy. You want to be the guy following the guy that followed the guy. And so the next coach at Alabama, if and when that happens, is going to get the grace of the fans. Right now, he's not getting it. It's win and win big and it's getting the playoffs and it's win a championship and anything short of that, I don't think. And you can ask your listeners. I don't think he's going to be looked at as a success. And I think that's the. That's the no win situation he's in. Yeah, no.

[Damian Harris]

I mean, I remember sitting with you in stadiums a couple of different times. Saban, you know, would lose a. He didn't do it often, but he lost a national championship game. We'd be sitting around criticizing him like he just lost to Vanderbilt. But that's the standard. I mean, it was a failure for him.

[Booger McFarland]

It was a failure. He created the standard and he knew it. And I think the ever changing. And I've never asked Nick this, I'm gonna ask him one day, maybe why we're playing golf. I think when college football changed, where the transfer portal became prominent and Nil became prominent, I think it was. I think Saban knew it was time for college football to deviate from the way that he knew how to do it. And I think he moved on.

[Damian Harris]

I think what really. He called me one day as it was turning and he said, what are you gonna do about this? And that's how he talked. Like he viewed me as just a voice in the media because he did that a couple of times. And I said, I don't. I tend to agree with it. He got really upset because he thought maybe he could stop Nil. And he was against it, let's be honest, because he knew the obvious, that with Nil in the portal, Alabama couldn't stockpile defensive tackles.

[Booger McFarland]

Well, not only could they not stockpile it, he couldn't recruit the way that he did. And, you know, Kirby's still holding on. I'll give Kirby credit. Kirby had the Alabama model and he's still holding on. But even, like even on. Exactly. He's just barely holding on. So it's very tough. Which is why I think this year in college football is as wide open as we've seen. And by wide open, I don't mean there's going to be. There's 50 teams that can win. And I think whereas we go into the season typically with six to eight teams, I think there's 14 to 16 teams that if the ball bounces right, could win a championship this year.

[Damian Harris]

And in the past there may have

[Booger McFarland]

been 3, 3, 4 maybe because you knew how to play. Maybe. And I think that's the difference. And you know, I was against the expansion of the playoff from 4 to 12. I'm with it now. I think we're eventually going to 16. Hopefully it never goes past that. No disrespect, Tony petitti. I think 24 is asinine. It should never go there. I think 16 is fine if and when we get to that point. But I think now because of nil and because of the transfer portal, 16 is the perfect number. And if you get the right 16 in, then I think college football can kind of take another step because I think it's taking a step back with the portal in nil. But I think if you, if you get the right 16 when it goes there, it can take a step forward.

[Damian Harris]

Yeah, I mean, you sat there in the studio some of these playoff games and that first weekend is not that great. I mean, you got two games that are unwatchable. Yeah, you may have, you probably have two this year. We had two really good games and two terrible games. Yeah, but we knew that going in,

[Booger McFarland]

you know, that going in. I think with the, with the nine game schedule in the sec, we're going to get more good games. You might not get them right off the top, but I think what college football is going to give you now is you're going to get a lot of good games. Yeah, you're still going to have, you know, the SEC versus Youngstown State. Those are going to be sprinkled in and I think those are good for college football because those lower level teams need the money. But I think more times than not, 10 out of the 12 weeks, you're going to get some really good football games and you're going to get some schedules where you can wake up, turn off a college game day and then once the football starts, you can watch football all day because there's going to be good games all day.

[Damian Harris]

Well, I wish we could get good interviews like this all day, but we can't because Booger from McFarland is rarely in the same place. But we'll see if we're going. We can work on that. Booger, what a pleasure. Thank you.

[Booger McFarland]

This has been fun. Paul, thank you as always and I appreciate all that you did for me years ago.

[Damian Harris]

Thank you.

[Booger McFarland]

Yes, sir.

[Damian Harris]

We appreciate you being here. We're going to take a short break. You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.