Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy (right) and SEC Network's Alyssa Lang (left). screengrab: sec network
ESPNNCAABy Sam Neumann on

SEC Network anchor and reporter Alyssa Lang received warm words from colleagues across the industry with her SportsCenter debut this past week.

It wasn’t long after that Lang shared a heartwarming moment on her Instagram, revealing that her best friend wrote about this accomplishment in her high school yearbook.

 

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It was obviously a dream come true for Lang, who returned to her SEC Network sidelining reporting duties this week. But perhaps what she didn’t expect is that last week’s moment would transcend sports media and bleed into the very conference she’s made a name for herself in.

After Alabama plated two runs in the top of the first inning against LSU in the SEC Tournament thanks to a big double from junior infielder Hali Heivilin, Crimson Tide coach Patrick Murphy had more than just the score to celebrate.

During an in-game interview with Lang, Murphy also took a moment to acknowledge her recent SportsCenter debut.

“We’re so proud of you,” Murphy said. “You actually reminded me of Laura Rutledge. Because Laura Rutledge did this in Baton Rouge when the tournament was in LSU one year and I walked away from her thinking, ‘She is really good,’ and so are you, so congrats on that.”

Lang couldn’t help but crack a smile.

“You’re right. Once the postseason starts, it’s a clean slate for everybody. LSU, us, Auburn—everybody in the league,” added Murphy. “All the stats that you did during the regular season do not mean anything. So, if you did well—good for you. But if you didn’t do well, here’s your chance. You can be the MVP of the SEC Tournament and hit .200 during the regular season.”

Lang playfully jabbed Coach Murphy on live TV, asking where to send the payment for all the praise. It was a refreshingly genuine moment, a quality Lang has fostered on the SEC Network. But Wednesday’s exchange went beyond receiving wedding advice from the late Mike Leach.

Rutledge has immersed herself as one of ESPN’s top-flight talents, and it’s only a matter of time before Lang is well on her way too.

Murphy recognizing that not only goes a long way, but it just goes to show that some of these head coaches pay attention, too. The relationship between sideline reporter and coach sometimes goes beyond the traditional back-and-forth, as this moment was a lot more personable than ones we’ve been accustomed to watching—no matter the network, really.

And it seems like this won’t be the last we see of Lang on SportsCenter.

[SEC on X]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann