HOOVER, Ala. - There are a lot of "Best of " lists in the Southeastern Conference that Steve Spurrier would make.
Best coach. Check. One of the best players. Check.
The best ever at SEC Media Days? Triple check.
Spurrier was at his interviewing-pleasing best Tuesday at the annual event at the Wynfrey Hotel outside of Birmingham.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days Tuesday, July 14, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. 
University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban will speak Wednesday morning at Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala. Since taking over in Tuscaloosa in 2007, Saban has led the Crimson Tide to four division championships, three conference crowns and a trio of national titles. Alabama went 12-2 last season and lost to eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn speaks during SEC media days Monday in Hoover, Ala.
Georgia football coach Mark Richt greets fans prior to last season's game against Clemson. Richt and new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer landed a big recruit for their 2017 signing class Friday when McEachern High School quarterback Bailey Hockman committed to the Bulldogs. University of Georgia Photo.He touched on the Confederate flag - he's glad it's gone from the South Carolina state capitol - and the recent trouble football has faced with domestic violence incidents.
"I've always had a rule as a coach if you ever hit a girl, you are finished," Spurrier said, offering what should be the universal rule of decency and immediately adopted by all organized, high-level athletics.
When he wasn't philosophizing about issues or his age or his South Carolina Gamecocks, he even wondered if renowned gambler Danny Sheridan could set odds on whether he and the rest of the SEC coaches would still be at their current jobs in four years.
"I don't know if you'd bet on that, but it would something fun to bet on, wouldn't it?" Spurrier said. "Who would be here four years from now? I don't know. What I'm trying to say is you don't know what's going to happen down the road."
We'll play along, Coach.
Alabama's Nick Saban. Even money, because four seems like a really good number. That said, we think yes, he'll still be in Tuscaloosa.
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema. We'd put this 3-to-1 against, and we'll go no. Expectations are soaring, and the SEC West is still the SEC West, and how much better is Arkansas going to be this year?
Auburn's Gus Malzahn. Another coach who seems a little bit like a long shot to be in Auburn in four years, mainly because the NFL could come calling very soon, especially if Auburn has a big year this fall. We'll put it at 3-to-1 against - especially if Chip Kelly continues to succeed on Sundays - but we'd take those odds that Malzahn will still be in an AU sweater vest.
Florida's Jim McElwain. This is almost as safe a bet as there is on the board since the Gators are rebuilding and must show patience. We'd make this 10-to-1 that he's still in Gainesville in 2019.
Georgia's Mark Richt. Like Saban, it's even money and it would be the coach's decision. We'll say yes, and the fact that hot-shot prep quarterback prospect Jacob Eason is coming helps. A lot.
Kentucky's Mark Stoops. At least 10-to-1 against. Hard to see how he stays because the rest of the East is improving and time in Kentucky for football coaches is akin to dog years.
LSU's Les Miles. We'd say 2-to-1 that he's still there, but this fall - and Miles' decision to add controversial defensive coordinator Kevin Steele - could make that closer to even money if the Tigers struggle.
Mississippi's Hugh Freeze. Here's a guess that Freeze could be a lifer there. Finding a quarterback this fall could build a lot of good will. We'll say yes, Freeze is here.
Mississippi State's Dan Mullen. Speaking with Mullen, here's saying he's happy there and as long as he delivers one contender every three years and stays relatively even with Ole Miss, he will be there four years from now.
Missouri's Gary Pinkel. On the short list of safest bets to be there. Dude has survived scandal and has delivered back-to-back SEC titles.
South Carolina's Steve Spurrier. Not that long ago, this would have been 3-to-1 against. He's 70, after all. But he really seemed energized Tuesday. Still, here's a guess Spurrier's gone four years from now.
Tennessee's Butch Jones. The Vols could win 10 games. They could struggle to make a bowl. The excitement is high. The experience is low. We have proof that Jones can restock a roster and energize a fan base. This will be the season we learn whether he can craft a big-time winner on Saturdays. We think so, and we think Butch will be back here in Hoover four years from now, too.
Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin faces the biggest swing year of all the coaches in the league with Jones in the conversation for second. The Aggies could rebound and Sumlin becomes a hot candidate; the Aggies could struggle and Sumlin is on the hot seat. Either way, it's 2-to-1 against that Sumlin's still in College Station in four years.
Vanderbilt's Derek Mason. Safest bet on the board. Four years from now Mason will be a very good defensive coordinator somewhere. Just not in Nashville.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343. Follow him on Twitter at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com. Read his online column "The 5-at-10" weekdays starting at 10 a.m. at timesfreepress.com.