With a heavy Southern drawl and endearing country charm, interim Vanderbilt coach Robbie Caldwell brought some much-needed life to a stagnant day at the SEC Media Days.

Caldwell ran off a string of one-liners when it was his turn at the podium, doing something that rarely happens in Hoover: he kept people listening about Vanderbilt.

Perhaps I should have known Caldwell was going to be this outgoing, considering not long beforehand he chatted me up in the bathroom while standing at a urinal.

Here's a sampling of what he had to say this morning:

• On finally getting his shot as a head coach after 30-plus years as an assistant: "If it's 2 days or 20 years, I can say, 'Hey, I was a head coach at one time!'"

• On his instant rise to head coach: "I'm going from lining the field to a head coach in the SEC!"

• Asked if he's met the other SEC coaches, he said in a country drawl: "Yeah. They have no idea who I am."

• On his anonymity at SEC Media Days: "Last night I was opening the door for someone and they gave me a tip."

• Being fully aware of how he comes across: "I know you can't tell it, but I do have an education."

• On if he plans to continue former coach Bobby Johnson's no-profanity policy: "Now, I'm no angel."

• Describing his hometown of Pageland, S.C.: "It's the watermelon capital of the world. You had to like huntin', fishin', frog giggin'."

• He volunteered that his first job was on the "inseminating crew" of a turkey farm.

• Joking around: "I'm from New York originally. You can tell by the way I talk."

• One reporter asked if his turkey farm job affected his enjoyment of Thanksgiving. Caldwell stepped away from the podium and patted his belly, indicating that it did not.

• On if going to Vanderbilt was a big cultural change for him: "I think it was a big adjustment for Vanderbilt."