Sam Khan Jr., ESPN Staff Writer 9y

SEC morning links

1. It's not a huge surprise, but it is noteworthy that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier confirmed that he'll be back in 2015. In classic Spurrier fashion, he gave a quality soundbite, claiming he'll probably be back for at least a couple more years: “Give me two or three more,” he said. “I used to say four or five, now I’m down to two or three. I mean, I could get in a car wreck, but I’m definitely planning on being back.” One interesting side note is that Spurrier said he doesn't plan, at the moment, to fire any of his assistant coaches. He did intimate that a reorganization of the staff could occur, but the fact that nobody will be dismissed is interesting since defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward came under fire after the Gamecocks defense struggled this season.

2. Saturday will be Missouri's fourth conference championship game of the Gary Pinkel era, and the Tigers have yet to win one. Last year's 59-42 loss to Auburn was, in fact, the closest they've come to winning in terms of final margin. Missouri plans to ignore that history when it faces No. 1 Alabama on Saturday. “We prepare for this game like we prepare for any game, and we won’t ever change that,” Pinkel said. “This is the fifth divisional championship we have won in the last eight years and we have not won a conference championship in the Big 12 or the SEC. That’s my responsibility, so hopefully we can play well and have an opportunity to do that.”

3. Two SEC assistant coaches who have had strong seasons found themselves named as finalists Monday for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation's top assistant coach. Those two? Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel. Not coincidentally, both are coaching teams that are playing in the SEC championship game. Steckel's defense has been key for the Tigers, who have endured an inconsistent offense this season. And the work Kiffin has done with starter Blake Sims and the Alabama offense is noteworthy, considering the Crimson Tide have even mixed it up at times, going to a faster tempo, something unusual for Nick Saban.

Around the SEC

  • No shocker here, but Georgia coach Mark Richt basically confirmed that Todd Gurley is NFL-draft bound by saying he expected the running back to be a high pick.

  • In transfer news, Georgia defensive back Brendan Langley is transferring out of the program. Langley was a class of 2013 recruit who played as a true freshman.

  • Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason has reportedly fired offensive coordinator Karl Dorrell.

  • The Will Muschamp sweepstakes looks like it will continue for at least a few more days.

  • Florida running back Matt Jones is reportedly entering the NFL draft.

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