The Southeastern Conference has conducted a weekly teleconference of its football coaches for many, many moons.
Wednesday’s was a first.
The pecking order is the same throughout a season and usually from season to season, with LSU, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma and Arkansas serving as the first five teams before Tennessee takes its turn. In the latest edition that took place, three of the first five coaches — Frank Wilson (LSU), Billy Gonzales (Florida) and Bobby Petrino (Arkansas) — are serving in an interim role.
Wilson is the newest interim, taking over late Sunday following the dismissal of Brian Kelly. The Tigers, who vaulted to No. 3 nationally after opening with a 17-10 win at Clemson, are 5-3 and have this weekend off before facing Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 8.
“The open week could not have come at a better time for us in the midst of our transition,” Wilson said. “It’s really been a time of reflection for our organization and for our football team. It’s been a time to really galvanize one another to come together to get us better.