Sports

Florida head coach Billy Napier speaks during SEC Media Days on Wednesday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

Florida head coach Billy Napier speaks during SEC Media Days on Wednesday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

SEC MEDIA DAYS: Florida has 'work to do' to catch Georgia in Napier era

ATLANTA — Including LSU in 2019, Alabama in 2020 and Georgia, the SEC has had three different teams win the last three national championships. That can provide encouragement for coaches trying to build championship programs, including first-year Florida coach Billy Napier.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks during SEC Media Days on Wednesday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks during SEC Media Days on Wednesday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

SEC NOTEBOOK: Georgia, Alabama coping with high expectations at top of conference

ATLANTA — It’s no easy task to live with expectations at the top of the Southeastern Conference. Alabama’s 2021 season has been described as a disappointment even though the Crimson Tide won the SEC title and played in the national championship game.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban speaks during SEC Media Days on Tuesday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

Alabama head coach Nick Saban speaks during SEC Media Days on Tuesday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

SEC MEDIA DAYS: Saban says Alabama players topped $3 million in NIL money

ATLANTA — Nick Saban has been vocal about his issues with the status quo in name, image and likeness deals and their use in recruiting. But it's not like Alabama's coach and his players haven't benefited, too. Saban said Crimson Tide players have made more than $3 million in NIL money.
Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin walks to the podium before speaking during SEC Media Days on Monday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin walks to the podium before speaking during SEC Media Days on Monday in Atlanta. (JOHN BAZEMORE/Associated Press)

SEC NOTEBOOK: Kiffin describes opening query about Saban as ‘pretty usual’

ATLANTA — Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin provided a strong hint he and other SEC coaches who were former assistants on Alabama coach Nick Saban’s staff, including Georgia coach Kirby Smart, may grow tired of questions about their former boss.
Cameron Smith holds the claret jug trophy as he poses for photographers on the 18th green after winning the British Open on the Old Course at St. Andrews on Sunday in Scotland. (GERALD HERBERT/Associated Press)

Cameron Smith holds the claret jug trophy as he poses for photographers on the 18th green after winning the British Open on the Old Course at St. Andrews on Sunday in Scotland. (GERALD HERBERT/Associated Press)

PRO GOLF: Smith rallies to beat McIlroy at British Open for 1st major

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — The stage at St. Andrews was all set for Rory McIlroy. The show belonged to Cameron Smith, and so did that silver claret jug he won in a Sunday stunner at the British Open with the best closing round the Old Course had ever seen.
Bruce Johnson (top left, clockwise), Daniel Tillman, Russell Johnson and Frankie Stankunas will be inducted to the Suwannee High School Hall of Fame on Sept. 29.

Bruce Johnson (top left, clockwise), Daniel Tillman, Russell Johnson and Frankie Stankunas will be inducted to the Suwannee High School Hall of Fame on Sept. 29.

PREP SPORTS: Four set for SHS Hall induction

LIVE OAK — From Super Bowl champions to school record holders, the 2022 Suwannee High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction class has a little bit of everything. The four-person class — Bruce Johnson, Russell Johnson, Frankie Stankunas and Daniel Tillman — will be inducted Sept.