BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – July 16, 2026 – Ahead of the 2026 SEC Football Kick Off Media Days, Regions Bank on Thursday announced the launch of “Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC,” a video podcast series featuring exclusive interviews with four newly hired Southeastern Conference (SEC) head football coaches.
What is Regions Bank’s Connection to the SEC?
Regions is the official bank of the Southeastern Conference, and Regions and the SEC work year-round to support financial wellness initiatives for student-athletes from a wide range of sports.
Regions is also involved each year in SEC Football Kick Off Media Days, a four-day, preseason college football event held each summer. Head coaches and star players from all 16 SEC universities offer a glimpse into their strategies for the upcoming season, and hundreds of national and local journalists are on hand to report on the latest developments. This year, SEC Football Kick Off Media Days is scheduled for July 20-23 in Tampa, Fla.
What is “Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC?”
“Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC” is a free video podcast available through Regions Bank’s YouTube channel. Hosted by SEC Network personalities Peter Burns and Chris Doering, the series explores the backgrounds, leadership styles and career paths of four new SEC coaches. Episodes will include candid conversations with:
Each hour-long episode dives deep into experiences that shaped these coaches before they joined one of college football’s most competitive conferences. Regions Bank will share select clips of each episode on the bank’s Instagram and Facebook channels.
Fans can preview the series by watching a highlight reel available now.
Why it Matters:
The arrival of new head football coaches is one of the biggest storylines in the SEC heading into the 2026 college football season. “Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC” gives fans behind-the-scenes insights into the leadership philosophies, personal journeys and goals of coaches who are dedicated to inspiring student-athletes, building even greater fan support, and strategizing on how to deliver amazing records.
Regions Bank and SEC Perspectives:
According to Paula Drake, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Regions Bank, the podcast series reflects Regions’ nearly three-decade relationship with the Southeastern Conference – as well as Regions’ and the SEC’s shared commitment to celebrating leadership, preparation and excellence.
“The connection fans have with SEC football is unlike anything else, and for nearly 30 years, Regions has been proud to support SEC student-athletes and their commitment to excellence,” Drake said. “We’re thrilled to launch this podcast series spotlighting the conference’s newest head football coaches and giving fans a chance to get to know them beyond the sidelines. No matter who you root for, there’s something here for every SEC fan.”
We’re thrilled to launch this podcast series spotlighting the conference’s newest head football coaches and giving fans a chance to get to know them beyond the sidelines. No matter who you root for, there’s something here for every SEC fan.
Paula Drake, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Regions Bank
Peter Burns, SEC Network host and co-host of “Regions Extra,” said the idea is to further introduce fans to these newest coaches, while offering a glimpse into the SEC that goes beyond what people see on Saturdays in the fall.
“The concept grew from a desire to learn who these new coaches are both on and off the field,” Burns said. “We were blown away with the stories they shared about their personal journeys to becoming a head coach. It’s arguably one of the most interesting projects I’ve worked on in more than 10 years covering the conference. We appreciate the opportunity to work with Regions Bank, and we look forward to sharing this with fans of college football.”
It’s arguably one of the most interesting projects I’ve worked on in more than 10 years covering the conference.
Peter Burns, SEC Network host and co-host of “Regions Extra”
SEC, Regions Bank Highlight Student-Athlete Innovation:
In addition to “Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC,” Regions is the presenting sponsor of SEC Startup. This annual career-development event highlights the leadership and creativity of athletes from multiple sports who are also aspiring business owners or managers.
An expansion of the league’s academic competition portfolio now in its third year, the televised competition features five SEC student-athlete groups pitching their businesses to a panel of judges, with awards determined by the strength of each concept, business plan, and presentation. Regions Bank’s head of Commercial Banking, Nikki Stephenson, is one of the judges.
The show will air during SEC Football Kick Off Media Days on Monday, July 20, at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC?”
Regions Extra: Welcome to the SEC” is a free video podcast series from Regions Bank featuring long-form interviews with new SEC head football coaches. The series is hosted by SEC Network personalities Peter Burns and Chris Doering.
Where can fans watch the podcast?
Episodes are available on the Regions Bank YouTube channel, with selected highlights shared on Regions’ Instagram and Facebook feeds.
Which SEC coaches are featured?
The first season features Arkansas head football coach Ryan Silverfield, Auburn head football coach Alex Golesh, Florida head football coach Jon Sumrall and Ole Miss head football coach Pete Golding.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $161 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates more than 1,200 banking offices and more than 1,750 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.