As controversies pile up, SEC making the wrong statement this offseason

9:09 AM ET

You want to know when you’re about to read something bad? Look for the phrase “said in a statement.”

If you follow SEC football closely, then you’ve become all too accustomed to reading those words over the last few months.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement …

Alabama coach Nick Saban said in a statement …

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said in a statement …

Since the offseason began, there has been an overabundance of statements to come out of the conference, and not the proverbial statements that are made on the football field with wins and losses. Instead, we’re talking about statements that are vetted by those wearing suits and ties. Vetted because something went wrong and someone has to say something to answer for it.

When Laremy Tunsil’s social media feed imploded on draft night, Ole Miss and Freeze prepared a statement on the matter.

When Bo Davis reportedly incurred recruiting violations and resigned, Saban was forced to put out a statement of his own.

When Aaron Moorehead subtweeting of a recruit went viral, Sumlin released a four-sentence statement referring to discipline that would “remain private.”

Whether it was an actual written statement or not, too many coaches have had to speak on too many issues that have nothing to do with depth charts or scheme this offseason. The SEC can’t thump its chest about winning another national championship right now because it’s too busy cleaning up its own messes.

At …

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