LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry addressed SEC conference unity during spring meetings in Miramar Beach, Florida, following controversial remarks from head coach Lane Kiffin. Ausberry, a 30-year LSU employee promoted to AD in November, told ESPN his message to coaches was straightforward: focus solely on LSU and maintain conference solidarity.

Ausberry's comments came after Kiffin suggested top recruits were avoiding Oxford, Mississippi due to concerns about segregation, contrasting it with Baton Rouge's perceived diversity. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian also faced criticism for claiming Ole Miss degrees could be obtained through basket weaving, which he later called a poor choice of words.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey declined to specify whether Kiffin or Sarkisian would face discipline, stating he addresses such issues directly in meetings rather than publicly. The conference held its annual spring meetings with football coaches, basketball coaches, athletic directors, and university leadership.

The SEC officially voted against pooled media rights, issuing a joint statement emphasizing the conference's strategic positioning for future media negotiations. Sankey noted there's no data supporting claims of benefits from pooled rights, and the league wants flexibility in scheduling decisions. No votes were taken on expanding the College Football Playoff beyond 16 teams.