Parker: Who didn't vote for Tebow?

One of the Southeastern Conference coaches left Florida quarterback Tim Tebow off their ballot for all-conference. (File photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

One-by-one, as each Southeastern Conference football coach takes the podium here at The Wynfrey Hotel during SEC Media Days, they're being asked if they're the one who did it.

It's like a hungry pack of bored adults hanging around playing Clue.

"Where were you when you turned in your ballet on the night of July 14?"

Cue the swinging spotlight on any coach who made the trek to the Heart of Dixie. The sweat's starting to pour already. Somebody's going to crack.

Well ... not really.

LSU offensive lineman Ciron Black, Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones and Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry were the three who made it. All-everything Tim Tebow and his Captain America smile did not.

Which SEC coach didn't vote for Tebow first-team All-SEC this preseason? Come on. Own up to it.

Several sources originally thought that new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin passed on Tebow, but Kiffin said earlier that the lefty got his nod.

Greater Gainesville is lined up at Kinko's ready to put a target on someone's back and fill up bulletin boards all over Florida's campus. Somewhere there's an Internet guru ready to launch whatwascoachXthinking.com. Be ready for World War III.

Tebow's former offensive coordinator at Florida got a kick out of being asked.

"I was going to start with that statement right there," Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. "Believe it or not, I voted for Tim Tebow -- probably surprise for a lot of guys. I have a lot of respect for him. I think he's a heck of a player."

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson isn't so confident the missing vote will come forward, especially after all the attention it's gotten.

"I don't know if y'all are going to find the culprit who didn't vote. You could tell him it wasn't me," Johnson said smiling.

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks played along when he was blindfolded and placed against the wall for the firing squad, even raising his arms to quickly evade any ridicule.

"You guys are going to try to narrow it down to get somebody to spill their guts? How could I not vote for Tim Tebow? We couldn't stop him the last few years. I voted the other guy second. It isn't me. I'm not the guy. Good luck in your search," Brooks said, causing the print/media room to erupt in laughter.

The lights are shining. Laptops are fired up and connected to The Wynfrey's WIFI system. Streaming video is rolling. A record-number of credentials were handed out this week. There will be nowhere to hide.

Danny Parker is sports editor of the Times-Gazette. He can be reached at dparker@t-g.com.