GREENVILLE, S.C. – The 2023 Southern Conference Football Media Day took place Thursday at the Hotel Hartness in Greenville, South Carolina. All nine league coaches and two student-athletes from each school were on hand to meet with the media and discuss the upcoming season.
The day began with morning meetings of coaches and school and SoCon administrators, with NCAA President Charlie Baker meeting with the league’s presidents, athletics directors, senior woman administrators and other administrators via virtual meeting.
The afternoon luncheon saw WSPA Sports Director Pete Yanity welcome the media, coaches, players, Greenville dignitaries and school personnel to the luncheon before introducing new SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross, who spoke to the group about his views on the college athletics landscape.
Following the luncheon, the coaches and players were available to speak with the media in attendance in addition to rotating through a series of scheduled media and social media opportunities. The coaches and players present joined Yanity on-stage for one-on-one interviews that aired live on ESPN+.
The
SoCon preseason polls and all-conference teams were also revealed Thursday, with Furman and Samford picked by the coaches to win the league and the Paladins picked by the media to win the crown. Samford quarterback Michael Hiers and Chattanooga defensive lineman Jay Person, the defending SoCon Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, were the preseason picks for those awards.
The SoCon’s 2023 season gets underway with Mercer facing North Alabama in Montgomery, Alabama, at the FCS Kickoff on Aug. 27. Furman and Samford both open their seasons on Thursday, Aug. 31, while Saturday, Sept. 2, features seven league teams in action.
Southern Conference Football Media Day attendees
The Citadel: Head coach Maurice Drayton; Tyler Cherry (WR); Wilson Hendricks III (DB)
ETSU: Head coach George Quarles; Noah West (TE); Sheldon Arnold II (DB)
Furman: Head coach Clay Hendrix; Tyler Huff (QB); Matt Sochovka (DT)
Mercer: Head coach Drew Cronic; John Thomas (OL); Lance Wise (DB)
Samford: Head coach Chris Hatcher; Michael Hiers (QB); Joseph Mera (DL)
Chattanooga: Head coach Rusty Wright; Ailym Ford (RB); Jay Person (DL)
VMI: Head coach Danny Rocco; Chance Knox (WR); Alex Oliver (DB)
Western Carolina: Head coach Kerwin Bell; Tyler Smith (OL); Va Lealaimatafao (LB)
Wofford: Head coach Shawn Watson; Kyle Pinnix (WR); Brandon Maina (DL)
-www.SoConSports.com-