When you think of sand, sun and surf you don’t usually think about college football coaches, especially on the eve of the regular season.
But LSU coach Les Miles, Alabama coach Nick Saban and Auburn coach Gene Chizik are scheduled to take time out of their busy preseason schedules to participate in the inaugural SEC BeachFest, to be held Aug. 23-26 in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Ala.
The event is scheduled for the final weekend before the regular season begins. The SEC schedule kicks off Thursday, Aug. 30 with Texas A&M versus Louisiana Tech in Shreveport and South Carolina at Vanderbilt.
Alabama coach Nick Saban and LSU coach Les Miles will enjoy some time on the beach.
LSU opens Sept. 1 at home against North Texas.
In addition to the three BCS championship coaches, former SEC coaches and players will make appearances throughout the festival and take part in an interactive Q&A with fans leading up to the new season.
Former coaches Pat Dye of Auburn, Gene Stallings of Alabama, Vince Dooley of Georgia and Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee are all scheduled to attend.
ESPNU will host an SEC preview show from Gulf Shores. There will also be live music a golf scramble, 5K run, a Fanfest area and a display of the BCS coaches’ trophy.
Though some information, like a daily schedule, remains to be announced, fans can check out the event website at www.secbeachfest.com.
