Purcell's Positivity On Display At SEC Media Day
October 18, 2022 | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., - The abundance of positive energy and enthusiasm that Sam Purcell unleashed at SEC Media Day had to be aided by caffeine, correct?
Coffee, Red Bull, soda – something artificial had to be fueling Mississippi State's first-year women's basketball head coach as he made his rounds through the Grand Bohemian Hotel.
Nope. It all just comes natural for him.
In fact, the only thing Purcell needed to prepare himself on Tuesday morning for his first SEC Media Day experience was a piping hot cup of lemon water in his white "Welcome to Starkvegas" tumbler.
Purcell spread his positivity to everyone he encountered. SEC staff, fellow coaches and players, media members, the shuttle drivers, even the hotel maintenance man – no one was immune from a "hello", a handshake or a "thank you" during his many stops throughout the day.
"It was awesome," Purcell said. "First of all, the SEC is the best conference for a reason. For them to have it in the hotel that they did and the people and the setup was top notch. I love it because obviously the people care. When people are asking questions and want to know more, that's only a good thing for me and my program."
7:47 a.m.
Purcell arrives at the Starkville Airport wearing a brand new maroon sport coat, white button up shirt, grey slacks, maroon socks with bulldogs on them and maroon and white Zerogrand dress shoes by Cole Haan.
After a hearty "Good Morning!" to everyone in the terminal, Purcell immediately went to his two players that would be accompanying him and representing MSU at SEC Media Days – Anastasia Hayes and Ahlana Smith.
Smith seems a bit nervous so Purcell quickly transitions into coach/dad mode and offers words of encouragement to the graduate transfer guard that he brought with him from Louisville.
7:53 a.m.
The university plane is roaring down the runway and it's wheels up towards Birmingham.
During the quick flight, Purcell is pouring over the itinerary for the day and preparing himself for the carwash of media opportunities that lie ahead.
8:15 a.m.
The wheels touch down at the Birmingham International Airport and a few minutes later Purcell and his players are posing for photos outside the private jet before being whisked away in a black Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
On the way, Purcell professes his love of Dreamland Bar-B-Que.
"They're known for their ribs. They're the best."
8:36 a.m.
The shuttle arrives at the entrance to the Grand Bohemian Hotel.
After everyone is given their credentials, it's time for breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fried potatoes, fruit and Danish pastries are just a few of the many options available buffet style.
Purcell reaches into a rolling ice cooler and is introduced to CORE Hydration water for the first time.
"I'm a little embarrassed but how do you open this thing? This bottle is like a spaceship or something. This isn't the same water I get at the gas station. This might be the nicest bottle of water I've ever had."
10:02 a.m.
It's time for Purcell to take the podium in the main media room filled with dozens of reporters and TV cameras.
Here are a few of his main talking points:
On Debreasha Powe…
"I cannot say enough good things about her. First and foremost, I'll never forget when I got the job eight months ago, my first in-home visit was with her because I wanted to make sure that I did not lose that young lady. What a special young lady that she is. She values the classroom and is a winner because of what she does off the court and the way she lives her life. In the short period since we started official practices, I've seen an immediate impact. I'm expecting a huge year for her in her freshman year."
On coaching the Hayes sisters…
"It's unique no doubt. I was fortunate at Louisville to have two sisters so this is not my first experience with sisters. The thing that we're going to embrace first and foremost is that you are sisters. But when you step onto the court, I expect you to be teammates. They have done a phenomenal job with that. It's been awesome just to see that dynamic. Ultimately as a basketball team, I want us all to be a family. But to actually have three sisters that are truly family has been fun to coach."
On ongoing renovations at Humphrey Coliseum this season…
"I don't think it'll change a thing. First and foremost, that's why I took this job. Women's basketball matters in Starkville. We actually did a meet and greet in July and had 300 people show up to talk about women's basketball. It was awesome and motivating for me and our players. Any little construction that is occurring, I know is not going to hold our fan base back. If we can open a door, they'll find a way to go find a seat. It's our job as coaches and as players to work hard and make sure that we put a product on the floor that they're proud to come back and watch."
10:23 a.m.
It's time for a photoshoot upstairs with ESPN.
The photographer asks "Are you a hands on the jacket guy?"
Purcell quickly responds "I can be. Coach me up."
Before long, Purcell is dribbling a basketball and showing off his crossover skills.
A few dozen more photos and he exclaims "I feel like I'm on an official visit!"
Purcell ends the photoshoot by giving the photographer a high five before exiting the room.
10:41 a.m.
More ESPN, but this time it's video.
Purcell reads a few promotional liners and then is interviewed "Fast Break" style with rapid response questions.
Three things you may not know about him:
1. Girl dad of three daughters
2. He loves baseball
3. He absolutely cannot cook.
Favorite Thanksgiving side dish: sweet potato casserole
If he could be a superhero, who would it be? Superman
10:50 a.m.
The photoshoots continue, but this one is for the Southeastern Conference.
"The best part about this as a first-time head coach is it's all new to me."
The lights are down low and there's music playing in the background.
"I love the energy in this room! I appreciate it!"
There are three stations with various backdrops and posing for each one.
"What do you want me to do? Gas it up?"
There's a monitor displaying all of the photos that Purcell just posed for. He's especially proud of the one that captured his crossover at its pinnacle and he's looking at the ball.
"I've got that fresh cut too!"
10:58 a.m.
Purcell joins SEC Network basketball analyst Pat Bradley for an interview on XM Radio.
Here are a few more highlights:
On meeting his players for the first time…
"I told them that obviously you didn't come here for me, but I came here for you so let's get to work. Let me get to know you and let's see what we can do to make this a special season."
On the transfer portal…
"The portal can go one of two ways and for me, it went the right way. We've got height, we've got depth and right now, I've got great energy."
On the immediate expectations at MSU…
"It's about building trust. My players want to know what I'm really about. For me, it's about fulfilling that commitment when I told (them) to stay and I'm going to back that up. We crushed it this summer. The climate is changing. It used to be that you've got to build it over four years. Now with the portal and people coming and going, there's no timetable. We can win this year and we'll worry about next year then. We have the means in place. Mississippi State had the glory years of playing for the national championship. That's the expectation and it's up to me to get it there."
11:25 a.m.
Purcell is live on the SEC Network set along with Smith and hosts Courtney Lyle and Carolyn Peck.
Purcell reveals that two of the people he reached out to first after accepting the job were former MSU head coaches Sharon Fanning-Otis and Vic Schaefer.
"I just wanted to thank them for what they're about and what they've done."
And as for Smith, she answered questions with ease and was cool as a cucumber live on the air. That pep talk she received from Purcell back at the airport in Starkville a few hours earlier certainly paid off.
12:09 p.m.
SEC Media Day is a wrap and was deemed a success by all parties involved.
Before loading back up into the airport shuttle, Purcell notices two Porsche sports cars parked out front and jokingly asks one of the hotel staffers if we can drive one of those back to Starkville.
"We might beat the plane."
12:42 p.m.
Purcell and the rest of the Bulldog contingent are back in the air and headed west.
1:12 p.m.
The plane lands safely back in Starkville. Purcell thanks the pilots for the smooth and easy trip and he and the players head to their cars in the parking lot. But their day is far from over. After all, basketball practice starts in just about an hour.
