The 2012 Southeastern Conference football season began on August 30 with South Carolina visiting Vanderbilt, and concluded with the BCS National Championship Game on January 7, 2013.

[1] In the press conference announcing the termination, Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long said, "(Petrino) made the decision to mislead the public, (and it) adversely affected the university and the football program."

After the firing of Bobby Petrino in April 2012, there was considerable media speculation that Smith would return to Arkansas.

This was confirmed on April 23 when multiple media outlets reported that Smith had indeed agreed to succeed Petrino.

Smith signed a 10-month contract, leading to speculation that he was only taking the post on an interim basis for the 2012 season.

[3] In his place, Ole Miss hired Arkansas State Head Coach Hugh Freeze.

Alabama had the most representatives on the 2012 All-SEC Coaches’ Football Team, the league office announced on Tuesday.