NCAA Football FanHouse

Bradford Staying at OU Causes a Curious Cover-Up at National Football Post

Will Brinson — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma, Big 12, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, Rumors

Before the BCS championship game, the football Web site National Football Post declared -- via sources close to NFP -- that Sam Bradford was as good as gone to the NFL, barring injury, after the Sooners' game against Florida.

This story was blast e-mailed out to, presumably, many people (I got it twice from their PR firm, Gravitas). I wrote about it on FanHouse, MJD discussed it on Yahoo!, it was mentioned as a jinx at Deadspin, and Matt Hinton linked it up three times, to name a few of the higher profile places it was mentioned. And that's just for starters, in terms of pub that NFP pulled from the story.

At the time, I also made somewhat of a snarky analogy to Stephen Curry starting against Duke, because the likelihood of Bradford leaving seemed to obvious to ignore. But then he stayed. And suddenly, NFP's post about Bradford bouncing completely disappeared, leaving only what looks to be a 404 type of page error.

Look, I say wrong things too. Not factually inaccurate mind you, but occasionally, I have opinions that end up being incorrect (the Panthers whipping the Cardinals, for one). And when that happens, I'm willing to accept the consequences of being wrong; that's part of writing about anything with an uncertain outcome.

However, NFP used a "source" to report something that they were claiming as a scoop and a fact, not as a prediction. That's an entirely different ballgame.

And assuming that NFP didn't have a server issue or accidentally remove the content, this seems like a pretty odd way to handle "sources" being inaccurate; if the deletion was intentional, it's a poor journalistic choice and a horrible misuse of the easily editable characteristics of our new medium for covering athletics.

Bradford Staying at OU Causes a Curious Cover-Up at National Football Post originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ed Podolak's Departure May Not Have Been Necessary, but It's Sad Anyway

Mark Hasty — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:45:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch

Look, let's get one thing straight right up front: The University of Iowa did not just discover that Ed Podolak, its longtime radio analyst, liked a good party. Mike Hlas of the Cedar Rapids Gazette confirms that Podolak's good-time proclivities were an open secret in the Hawkeye Nation. So if you think Ed Podolak was forced into retirement because the University didn't like the pictures floating around the internet, please know that it goes deeper than that.

Of course, that doesn't mean that Podolak had to go. While many people are dubious that Podolak actually retired, Hlas says Podolak left of his own volition. That, unfortunately, is what makes an already sad story a little sadder.

According to Hlas, Podolak could have saved his job if he'd gone to rehab, but he chose not to.

Presumably under direction in this matter by Athletic Director Gary Barta, Podolak was urged to seek alcohol treatment and then be welcomed back to the Iowa football radio booth this fall for a 28th consecutive year as an analyst.

Podolak took the other option, to retire from broadcasting at age 61. It truly is something he had already been considering, by the way.

I have little doubt Hlas is telling the truth that Podolak was already thinking about hanging it up. 61 is far from old age, in my opinion, but if Podolak feels he wants to do other things with his time, that's his privilege. The radio gig was far from his only source of income. If he simply chose retirement over rehab, that's a regrettable decision, but it's one he is free to make.

Hlas notes that there's just a touch of hypocrisy in the University's attitude towards Podolak's drinking, given that alcohol flows at many alumni and booster events, and the radio broadcasts are sponsored by a beer company. Whatever. However you feel about alcohol, you can't deny that it's part of the college football scene on most campuses. The students aren't the only ones knocking back a few, either.

What wounds me the most, as a Hawkeye fan, is that the last sensory link to the glorious acscendancy of Iowa football under Hayden Fry is now gone. Jim Zabel, a man whose voice is burned into my brain, was Iowa's play-by-play announcer for 47 years, but his run ended in 1996. Sure, Kirk Ferentz was on Hayden Fry's staff back then. I don't remember him from back then. I do remember that every time I've listened to Iowa football on the radio, Ed Podolak was there. And now he won't be. It's not going to be the same. No matter who they get to replace him, the games are going to sound different.

Any time a group of people face a collective disappointment, a good chunk of that group's energy will go to figuring out who's to blame. Blame, however, is like fruitcake: somehow, it always seems like there's enough for everybody. You can blame the message board poster who first put up the pictures of Podolak. You can blame Jay Christensen, The Wiz Of Odds, who was one of the first big bloggers to put the pictures up. I'll stick up for my homeboy (Christensen and I are from the same home town, though I don't know him) and say that those pictures weren't going to stay hidden for long. The Des Moines Register didn't shy away from publishing the notorious pictures of Larry Eustachy, after all. You can blame internet culture in general for making character assassination our true national pastime. You can blame Gary Barta and the University of Iowa administration for being two-faced about alcohol, believing that it's fine for their booster events, but anybody who wears a university face had better just say no. You can even, I suppose, blame Ed Podolak himself.

Then again, if Mike Hlas is telling the truth, it was entirely Podolak's decision, and nobody's to blame. We're just all a little worse off for it.

Ed Podolak's Departure May Not Have Been Necessary, but It's Sad Anyway originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Congressman Pushes for BCS Hearings (and Why This Is a Bad Idea)

Shane Bacon — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:10:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA FB Gossip, Bowl Games

Like the majority of college football fans, I am in favor of a playoff. While nobody has come up with the perfect solution to this BCS madness, anything is better than ending the year with four good teams (Florida, Utah, Texas and USC) winning their bowl games and ending their season with either one or no losses.

So yes, the BCS needs to be tweaked. I think that is a truth that most would agree on. What doesn't need to happen? Congress spending time debating the issue, but according to Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), that's exactly what they'll be doing.

Congress spending time on the BCS issue -- like they did with the performance-enhancing drug talks of 2006 -- seems ill-timed. While I thought it was a waste of time back in '06, at least there were a few truths with the baseball talks:

-- Steroids are/were being used too much in sports, which is/was a problem.

-- Our youth looked up to these (gargantuan) athletes.

-- Our youth were using steroids because athletes were using them, thus harming their bodies when they really didn't have a clear understanding of what the substances could do to them.

I thought the hearings back in 2006 proved a few things. One, athletes can be intimidated by Congress. Two, if Congress wants, they can get to the bottom of most things. And three, athletes will lie about anything if it keeps them looking good.

The problem with involving The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with the Bowl Championship Series is that there isn't anyone to blame. Do you blame the committee that came up with this format? No, because when it was first introduced everyone loved the idea of having "one true champion." The problem is, that hasn't really happened and it has become a system of mockery and scorn. We wanted to "fix" college football and while the BCS has tried, it has failed.

We don't need Congress spending their precious time trying to figure this thing out. President-elect Barack Obama has stressed his interest in putting an end to the BCS and adding a playoff system, but I think it is best left to the bowl committee.

I mean, would I go to the athletic director of my college just because I felt I was fouled in a pick up game at the rec center? Exactly.

h/t CFT

Congressman Pushes for BCS Hearings (and Why This Is a Bad Idea) originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin Will Leave School Early for the NFL

Will Brinson — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Missouri, Texas Tech, Big 12, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, Rumors, General CFB Insanity

When the NCAA football season ends, the NFL draft really starts heating up -- Beanie Wells declared today that he was peacing out on life as a Buckeye and going to collect cash as a pro. Yesterday it was rumored that Sam Bradford would be leaving school early as well. Now, the same people (NFP) that claimed Bradford was gone are reporting that Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, wide receivers from Texas Tech and Missouri, respectively, will be entering the NFL Draft as well.

Trusted sources close to the National Football Post have just informed me that Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, Ohio State running back Beanie Wells and Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin all intend to declare for the 2009 NFL Draft in the very near future.

Now, as you can see, they were correct on Beanie Wells bouncing early. Given that information, I'm going to refrain from using a similar (and somewhat sarcastic) analogy to the one I inked yesterday about their Bradford claim.

Instead, I'm going to point out that both Crabtree and Maclin would be expected top 10-15 selections in the NFL Draft, and now is a pretty good time for them to consider becoming financially set for the rest of their lives.

Report: Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin Will Leave School Early for the NFL originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sam Bradford Will Reportedly Enter the NFL Draft Following the BCS Championship

Will Brinson — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Florida, Oklahoma, BCS, Big 12, SEC, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, Rumors, Prospects, General CFB Insanity, Bowl Games

Sam Bradford has racked up about every award possible in his sophomore season as Oklahoma Sooners quarterback. And on Thursday night, he'll go up against Florida and Tim Tebow for the national championship. If the Sooners win (or even lose, actually) there's a pretty good chance he'll enter the NFL Draft.

National Football Post is claiming that there's no real "chance" about it though, reporting today that Bradford is as good as gone.

Sources close to the National Football Post have told us that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, barring an injury in Thursday night's BCS National Championship game against Florida, will declare for the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 218-pound sophomore and Heisman Trophy winner threw for 4,464 yards and 48 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions in leading the Sooners to the Big 12 championship and a 12-1 record.

Now, not to knock NFP here, but "sources close to [them] ..." is a touch vague. For instance, examine the following claim: "Sources close to Will Brinson have told him that Stephen Curry will start against Duke tonight."

In case you don't see what I'm getting at: Curry is really good. He is playing Duke. He is very, very likely to start. So, there are a string of facts that lead to a conclusion that seems almost inevitable. Much like Bradford taking his won't-ever-be-higher draft stock and parlaying it into millions and millions of dollars.

Sam Bradford Will Reportedly Enter the NFL Draft Following the BCS Championship originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rey Maualuga Gets Blasted by Women's Sports Foundation, Apologizes to Erin Andrews

Will Brinson — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Penn State, USC, Big 10, Pac 10, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, NCAA FB Scandal, Video, General CFB Insanity, Bowl Games

Rey Maualuga moved to number one in the blogosphere's collective heart recently when he did a little shimmy-shake behind Erin Andrews. It was baller and hysterical all at the same time. Well, not so fast, my friends. Turns out Donna Lopiano, a former CEO of the Women's Sports Foundation, didn't think so.

"[Maualuga is] my first-round pick for 'offensive' player of the year" and his dance behind Andrews "another example of a narcissistic, high-profile athlete believing that any behavior, no matter how inappropriate, is acceptable because of his status. For those who would laugh off, celebrate or enable this behavior, think twice. Ms. Andrews could be your sister, daughter or wife."

Since this is a serious matter, I'm not going to make the seemingly requisite "Erin Andrews as my wife" blogger joke. You know how I know it's serious? Rey even apologized (Go on. Kiss it.) according to a statement from USC.

"The situation was addressed immediately," the statement said. "Rey both e-mailed and spoke to Erin and apologized to her. He realized he made a mistake and used poor judgment. He deeply regrets his actions."

I see the inherent sexism that could be pulled out of this little stunt, but I also kind of tend to think that Andrews would (and probably did) laugh this whole thing off. That being said, it's still pretty awkward anytime a football player pulls off a sexist-related act on the field towards a female reporter, so, yeah, this is probably how it should have worked out.

Rey Maualuga Gets Blasted by Women's Sports Foundation, Apologizes to Erin Andrews originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff Jagodzinksi Is Reportedly Getting Fired at Boston College Press Conference Today

Will Brinson — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, ACC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Rumors, General CFB Insanity

Jeff Jagodzinksi, the current head coach of Boston College's football team, is, according to the Boston Globe, about to get fired at a press conference today because he chose to interview with the New York Jets, despite the team's insistence that he would lose his job for such an action. Even if they do not actually can Jago, there's still going to be a press conference to "discuss [the] football team and its coach." Update: They did indeed fire Jagodzinski.

Jeff Jagodzinski will be fired as the Boston College football coach this morning in a meeting with athletic director Gene DeFillippo, according to sources close to the program.

After meeting with the New York Jets yesterday in New Jersey regarding their opening for a head coach, Jagodzinski called DeFilippo last night, setting up a face-to-face meeting this morning. They will finalize the details of his termination in the meeting. Jagodzinski has three years remaining on the contract.

This isn't that huge of a surprise, I suppose; you can only have so many publicly scrutinized people playing a game of chicken before someone gets in a wreck.

At the same time though, it was a pretty bold move on Jagodzinksi's part to pull on the interview if he wasn't completely confident he would get the job. That being said, Gene DiFilippo only comes off looking worse if the outcome is termination, so he should probably be able to land on his feet elsewhere soon enough if the Jets gig doesn't come through.

Jeff Jagodzinksi Is ~~Reportedly Getting~~ Fired at Boston College Press Conference Today originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Miami QB Marve's Transfer Gets Interesting

Ian Cohen — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:41:00 EST

Filed under: University of Miami, ACC, SEC, NCAA FB Gossip, Rumors, NCAA FB Scandal

The obvious joke from day one was that super-recruit Robert Marve might as well have pulled a Joe Theisman (sorry, ma- rhymes with "Heisman" or "Thighs Man" now) and switched over the "r" and "v" in his last name- couldn't hurt amongst the Peter Kings of the world. From the looks of things so far, however, he's already performing at a Favre-like level when it comes to off-season drama.

First came the last-second signing day switcheroo where the Alabama native spurned the Crimson Tide for the Hurricanes. And two years later, with the departure of OC Patrick Nix and the promotion of Jacory Harris to 2009's clear cut starter at QB, Marve has sought a transfer from the U. But Randy Shannon isn't making it easy- according to Marve's father at the outset, Shannon put an embargo on all other SEC and ACC programs as well as any other in-state school (27 in all). Which would be pretty crappy enough, but in a clarification as to why Pa Marve was so ticked off, as it turns out, he has recently been dealing with prostate cancer as well as the separation from his wife.

And now, we've been given something resembling clarification. On Friday, it had been revealed that Marve could indeed transfer to an SEC school, barring Florida, Tennessee, and LSU. But hey, Mississippi State is wiiiiide open. Eugene has obviously called this "ridiculous" and plans to transfer, but here's the issue, according to the Miami Herald:

UM said it ''has reason to believe'' the Marve family or others on behalf of Marve contacted those schools regarding Marve's potential transfer during the season, before he was given his release by UM. Eugene Marve denied that accusation Saturday: ``There has been no tampering.''

But hey, at the very least, over a dozen schools have rushed to offer Marve a scholly, including Cincinnati, which, let's be honest, knows from QB controversies and probably want someone who did marginally better in Miami than Tony Pike. This could get ugly come spring time, that's all I know right now.

Miami QB Marve's Transfer Gets Interesting originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ed Orgeron Returns to College Football, Gets Big Check, Old Boss Miffed

Brian Grummell — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:18:00 EST

Filed under: Tennessee, SEC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, General CFB Insanity

Former Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron, most recently a defensive line coach with the New Orleans Saints, has accepted a position on Lane Kiffin's staff at Tennessee. He had mulled competing offers from LSU and Tennessee, both with big money dangled in front of him.

The LSU offer was reportedly worth $500k, while Tennessee reeled him in with that shiny $850k offer.

Being that his former employ was in the NFL, Ed Werder style gossip soon followed.

Apparently, some within the organization felt Orgeron was more focused on his coaching future than his current job, and Payton grew tired of Orgeron juggling phone calls from LSU and Tennessee.

The source also suggested that [Saints' coach Sean] Payton was not very pleased with the progress of the defensive line under Orgeron even before the LSU-Tennessee tug-of-war began, and he is looking forward to the opportunity to bring in a veteran defensive line coach with NFL experience.

Meeeeowwwwwwww. This isn't all that surprising, we are talking about the gossipy NFL here where if somebody isn't ticked at something they might as well stop breathing.

Whatever, welcome back to college football Ed, we missed you. He should be an immediate boost to Tennessee's recruiting efforts, and give fire to the defense in whatever capacity he's been retained. He'll also work under Vols' defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, a close friend of old boss Pete Carroll.

I have doubts about Lane Kiffin, but he's put together a strong, strong group of assistants. Orgeron is actually not alone in ticking off his old boss in joining Tennessee, so he's already in good company.

Ed Orgeron Returns to College Football, Gets Big Check, Old Boss Miffed originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tim Tebow Does Not Take Mel Kiper's Criticism Kindly, Calls Him Out on Air

Will Brinson — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Florida, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, General CFB Insanity, Heisman

Mel Kiper is renowned for making excellent calls about the future potential of college players in the NFL. Okay, not really, but he gets paid a lot of money to yell a lot, bob his hair and randomly guess whether or not people will succeed at the next level while using words like "MOTOR" and "UPSIDE" and "POTENTIABILITYNESS".

And recently, he was earning a paycheck by dogging Tim Tebow, stating that he would be better off as a tight end in the NFL. (Which amounts to your standard "Sell more viewers!" ESPN controversial statement, nothing more, nothing less.)

So things got a little awkward when Tebow appears on Kiper's radio show recently and called Hair out on air. Transcription courtesy of CFT.

"You tell me this," Tebow said to Kiper during the radio exchange. "What do you think I need to do to be an NFL quarterback? You tell me that."

Unfortunately, Kiper didn't give Tebow a direct answer to his direct question.

"You're just too good with the ball in your hands not to think, Could he be Frank Wycheck? Could he be Chris Cooley? That's why," Kiper said. "You're too good, doing what you do, Tim, running with the football."

[...]To which Tebow replied, "The quarterback has the ball in his hands every play."

Really though, what Kiper is saying makes total sense. Mainly because quarterbacks, under NFL rules, are not allowed to run with the football in their hands. Sigh.

The thing about Tebow is that he's going to be a draft day nightmare for those of us who like to watch television, because the talking heads won't stop debating whether he can be a good NFL player until he gets drafted.

Additionally, opinions on Tebow are similar to the 2008 election in that the two sides are distinctly distributed: some nutcases/homers think that he'll end up as the "next Donovan McNabb", while others, like Kiper, think he will be the next Bo Scaife. Should be a fun few months.

Tim Tebow Does Not Take Mel Kiper's Criticism Kindly, Calls Him Out on Air originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Muschamp, Auburn Head Coach Texas Assistant, Says: 'I Have Had No Interviews'

Will Brinson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Auburn, Texas, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, Rumors, General CFB Insanity

Will Muschamp is the hottest name on the planet right now. Well, excluding some girl named on a Lingerie Calendar, I suppose, but at least in terms of sports, there's nothing warmer than Muschamp getting mentioned as the new Auburn head coach.

Why is that? Because some local news station -- one that is getting a ton of publicity right now, I would imagine -- says it has sources that confirmed Muschamp would be hired today. One problem, the horse's mouth disagrees:

Muschamp also released a statement Friday:

"I have not interviewed for any jobs. I'm not interested in any jobs. I'm happy here, my family loves Austin and I'm going to be at Texas."

Last month, Muschamp was named as the coach to replace Brown when he steps down at some point in the future.

So, yeah, it's still possible that Muschamp hasn't technically interviewed and that he only spoke to his previous contacts, but I find that a little bit unlikely. What seems more likely is that 'Champ is going to ride out his gig at Texas, wait for Mack Brown to retire and then take over a program that puts him in a better situation to succeed.

Now, it is still entirely possible that Auburn will offer him enough money, job security, etc., that it will lure him away, but I just think it seems pretty unlikely that he's crossing the Longhorns like this.

Will Muschamp, ~~Auburn Head Coach~~ Texas Assistant, Says: 'I Have Had No Interviews' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Muschamp, Auburn Head Coach: The Rumor That Just Won't Die on a Local Level

Will Brinson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Auburn, Texas, Big 12, SEC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Rumors, General CFB Insanity

Will Muschamp is already the "Head Coach in Waiting" at Texas. So, it makes little sense that's he even remotely being considered for the head coaching position at Auburn. Well, I suppose a "little sense" -- he was the defensive coordinator there for two seasons. But he's already got Mack Brown's job when Brown is done coaching. So everyone should just let the rumor die a slow, pathetic death.

But not FOX10 in the Mobile - Pensacola - Ft. Walton Beach area. No, sir. They're still reporting that Muschamp will be hired by Auburn as soon as today.

FOX10 News sources have told us Auburn will likely name Will Muschamp its new head coach sometime Friday. Muschamp was Auburn's defensive coordinator two years ago. WVUE in New Orleans first reported Muschamp would likely be the Tigers new coach.

Now, call me crazy, but why are these sources talking exclusively to FOX10? Mobile is a pretty big market, but I would have to think leaking information like this would pan out better for a source if it was, oh, anyone other than a local affiliate.

Also, again, Auburn is a great school and a top flight program and Muschamp has coached there ... but he's said he's not ready to become a head coach yet and, no offense to the departed Tommy Tuberville, but Texas is a little more primed for success than Auburn right now.

Will Muschamp, Auburn Head Coach: The Rumor That Just Won't Die on a Local Level originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Leach Thinks They Should 'Quit Giving' Heisman After Graham Harrell Gets Snubbed

Will Brinson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Campus, Coaching, Fans, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, General CFB Insanity, Heisman

Mike Leach's quarterback at Texas Tech, Graham Harrell, has had a prolific career. He also had a prolific season -- when you take the Red Raiders to 11-1 and barely miss a BCS bid, that's generally the case. But it wasn't quite good enough to warrant inclusion as a Heisman finalist.

And his coach is not happy about the snub.

"If Graham is not invited to the Heisman, they ought to quit giving out the award," Leach said in a statement released by the school. "It is a shameless example of politics ruling over performance. The other guys are deserving, but he has earned a place alongside them."

The Heisman Award is presented and admired with great stature. Mostly by ESPN and the people who get to vote for it, but they have so much stature and other admirable qualities that it's kind of justified. However, there is always some sort of small school, etc., beef that surrounds the trip to New York for a few lucky young men.

But I agree wholeheartedly with Leach -- if Sam Bradford (also: not Chad), Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow are justifiably good enough to be worthy of a plane ticket to New York so two of them can find out whose NFL career is going to fail first, well, it seems safe to say that letting Harrell -- or Michael Crabtree as he pointed out -- tag along wouldn't really be that big a deal.

Or, alternately, they could just start making the award actually mean something by taking the votes away from people who don't watch enough football and removing ESPN's media "vote".

Mike Leach Thinks They Should 'Quit Giving' Heisman After Graham Harrell Gets Snubbed originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tim Tebow Is 'Leaning' Towards Returning to Florida for His Senior Season

Will Brinson — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:10:00 EST

Filed under: Florida, SEC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, General CFB Insanity

You could probably excuse Tim Tebow if he felt inclined to ride off into the sunset after Florida potentially wins another national title under his guide this year; there's the possibility he might also win back-to-back Heismans and the combination would be a pretty tempting way to close an amazing college career.

But, also understandably, Tebow enjoys his life in Gainsville, which is what has him "leaning" towards coming back to Florida for his senior season.

"If I was leaning any way, it would be to coming back," Tebow said on Sunday, the night the Gators were paired with Oklahoma in the BCS title game. "I'm going to look and talk to coaches and see what they say. But I have no idea right now."

[...]"I don't want to leave here, but if I get blessed and have an opportunity to do a lot of things financially with that, I could do so many great things as far as organizations and community work, stuff I've always dreamed of doing with that money," Tebow said.

Oh, come on, man. Nobody is that much of a do-gooder, right? I'm kidding (kind of), but good Lord, getting pumped up to make millions in order to help the community ... that's something you never hear an athlete talk about.

On the other hand, maybe that's just a clever diversion so we don't all sit here and talk about how surprised we all are that if/when he bounces without the extra Heisman and NC under his belt. Or, alternately, he's just a good example of how good things happen to good people. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm due at the coal mine by seven thirty.

Tim Tebow Is 'Leaning' Towards Returning to Florida for His Senior Season originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Colt McCoy Affirms, 'I'll Be Back'

Will Brinson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:50:00 EST

Filed under: Texas, BCS, Big 12, Coaching, Fans, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch

Colt McCoy has, for all intents and purposes, said he always planned on returning to the Texas Longhorns for his senior season of college football. (And who can blame him? Have you ever been to Austin?)

However, McCoy had also mentioned testing the NFL draft waters. But now, per the Dallas Morning-News, Longhorn fans can (presumably) rest easy, as Colt reached out and told everyone that he will indeed be coming back next year.

"I'm coming back," McCoy relayed through a UT spokesman this afternoon.

[...]Late in the season, McCoy had mentioned getting feedback from an NFL advisory committee to gauge his possible draft status. He still could without jeopardizing his eligibility. But he won't have to worry about the draft itself for a year.

Well, he'd obviously be a fool not to at least listen to how many millions of dollars he could earn by leaving for the NFL. But at the same time, Colt's situation is one that definitely warrants -- in my oh-so-motivated opinion -- coming back for another year.

Texas more or less just gotjobbed by the BCS standings, thanks to a silly Big 12 tiebreaker rule, and can't play for a national title. Additionally, a strong run by Tim Tebow and a possible championship for the Gators could have squeezed Colt out of a potential Heisman Trophy, and one would have to think that in 2009 he'd be a pretty strong candidate to win. Looks like he feels the same way, or at least cares about unfinished business.

Colt McCoy Affirms, 'I'll Be Back' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN's Lou Holtz Is Reporting That Skip Holtz Will Visit With Syracuse About Coaching Gig

Will Brinson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: East Carolina, Syracuse, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, Rumors, General CFB Insanity

Skip Holtz is kind of god-like in Greenville, N.C. After all, he has taken the East Carolina Pirates from "always-ran" to "false hope BCS team that made it to the GMAC Bowl."

Of course, with that success comes, inevitably, other schools that play the role of suitor. And the latest news, as is incredulously being "broken" by his own father Lou Holtz -- whose journalistic credibility knows no bounds -- is that Syracuse is really interested in Skip and that he has agreed to sit down and talk about their vacancy.

"I know he has not met with them thus far," Lou Holtz said tonight. "I know he wouldn't do that with so much riding on his team (going to the Conference USA championship game). We're going to be in New York. Notre Dame is having a dinner for me tomorrow night which (Skip) and wife are coming up as well. Syracuse will be there. I think they're going to talk. He hasn't met with them. He's going to talk to them. I know they want to talk to him. I think they've asked permission. I'm not in the middle of negotiations. I'm not an agent. I'm just trying to hang on to my job and do a TV show".

Asked if Skip has interest in the Syracuse job, Lou said he did.

Syracuse? Really, Skip?

I suppose that in the whole "better school" scheme of things, sure, 'Cuse applies, but I don't know that it's a better situation to succeed than East Carolina -- had the Pirates run the table in Conference USA this year, they might have been BCS bound.

And what the mess is Lou doing reporting this. Yeah, it's information that he has insider access to, but something about Lou presenting this "breaking news" (that doesn't really seem plausible given the recent interest in Skip at Notre Freaking Dame) to the world just doesn't seem to stir the Kool-Aid in a particularly appropriate fashion.

ESPN's Lou Holtz Is Reporting That Skip Holtz Will Visit With Syracuse About Coaching Gig originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Tech Sees Rumors Swirling and Offers Mike Leach a Five-Year, $12 Million Deal

Will Brinson — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, General CFB Insanity

Mike Leach has been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year (I, for one, am going to take a stand and pretend that Bob Stoops didn't also win the award with Leach) following a hugely successful season for the Red Raiders.

They were one embarrassing blowout loss to the Sooners away from having a shot to compete for a national championship and that says a lot about what the Pirate Cap'n has done.

And, as such, there are many other teams interested in attempting to purchase his coaching services. Texas Tech would like to see Leach hang around though, so they've offered him a nice little bit of booty. As in five years and $12 million.

[Texas Tech chancellor Kent] Hance said there is "a little bump" in salary in the remaining two years of the existing contract that will pay Leach $2.7 million in 2009.

Under the extension, Leach would receive $7 million over the final three years through 2013. "I'll tell you one thing, $2.7 million goes a long way in Lubbock, Texas," Hance said.

And I'll tell you one thing too -- that's a totally ridiculous and insipid attitude to have on the part of Hance. Just because a couple mil is a lot of money relative to geographic location doesn't mean you should downplay the willingness of your school to pay your suddenly studly coach a lot more money.

All that being said, if I'm Leach, I'm probably holding off on inking that deal and letting my ability to coach up defense shine a little bit more, and let the interest from other schools build before I sit down to sign anything.

Texas Tech Sees Rumors Swirling and Offers Mike Leach a Five-Year, $12 Million Deal originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BeatByTexas.com Bowl: The Longhorn Banner That Will Haunt Your Dreams All Weekend

Will Brinson — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma, Texas, BCS, Big 12, Campus, Fans, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, Bowl Games

The Texas Longhorns are -- as we have already covered an insane number of times -- straight up teed off that they have zero say in the Big 12 Championship. (I for one totally agree, but that's neither here nor there.) Members of this community are, purportedly, so chapped that during the Big 12 Championship game, they have spent enough money to run a "BeatByTexas.com Bowl" banner behind an airplane.

I know, it does sound ridiculous and ~~Texas~~ crazy; but if Longhorn Nation is right, well, folks, it's happening.

Longhorn Nation has never been much of a conformist, but we'll make an exception, in this case.

Since, the popular thing right now, seems to be flying banners over stadiums and campuses and expressing your disdain for the BCS, we thought we jump in, feet first, and take an active roll in the foolishness.

Tomorrow, roughly 2 hours before kickoff (and, while the sun is still up) - this banner will make half a dozen passes or so over the surrounding areas of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri:

Enjoy the BeatByTexas.com Bowl

Jeebus, people. It's one thing to get upset because you got totally shafted and then decide to take action ... but this -- this is just absurd. Okay, I'm lying. This is freaking awesome. Seriously, it is.

Texas fans are saying (essentially): "We care so little about anything else in the world -- the economy, our families, world peace, hunger, yada yada yada -- that we want to spend money on a banner solely for the purpose of spiting Oklahoma and anyone who doesn't think we're deserving of being great."

God that's so ridiculous, dumb and stupid. And hells yes it's awesome.

BeatByTexas.com Bowl: The Longhorn Banner That Will Haunt Your Dreams All Weekend originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steve Spurrier Strikes Early, Questions Whether or Not Lane Kiffin Is Recruiting Dirty

Will Brinson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: South Carolina, Tennessee, SEC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch, Recruiting, General CFB Insanity

Lane Kiffin, the new, hip, happening Tennessee Volunteers head coach, got an early welcome to the world of the SEC from one of its elder statesmen recently, as Ye Olde Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, decided to point out that young Lane had spoken with recruits before he was actually introduced as head coach of the Vols.

The South Carolina coach, who had a history of taking verbal jabs at Kiffin's predecessor, Phillip Fulmer, questioned whether Kiffin broke NCAA recruiting rules by contacting Tennessee recruits before he was cleared to do so.

Jarvis Giles, a running back recruit from Gaither High School in Tampa, Fla., told several media outlets that Kiffin contacted him early Sunday morning - a day before he was scheduled to be introduced as the Vols' new coach.

Spurrier noted that he didn't retake the recruiting test until after he was introduced as the Gamecocks' new coach and joked that Kiffin might have called Giles as "an interested observer.''

That's the beauty of the OBC -- he manages to make a joke out of a pretty serious allegation, simply by using his charming Southern demeanor. And obviously Kiffin is covering up any potential wrong doing by pointing out that he took the test before his hire was actually announced; whether or not he acted in accordance with the rules seems irrelevant unless there's a dated test that can prove him otherwise.

The better part of all this is that right away, we have a heated coaching rivalry between two SEC would-be powerhouses, not to mention the makings of a super awesome visor war.

Steve Spurrier Strikes Early, Questions Whether or Not Lane Kiffin Is Recruiting Dirty originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Charlie Weis, Totally Honest, Tells Recruits He'll Be Coaching the Irish Next Year

Will Brinson — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: East Carolina, Notre Dame, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Recruiting, General CFB Insanity

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a feel good story if there ever was one, are in a precarious position with regard to their head coach, Charlie Weis. See, in case you missed it, Weis has been stinking the joint up since he got to South Bend. But the Irish just can't punt on Ole' Slim, because they'll owe him an insane amount of money.

On the other hand, they've got a pretty good shot of landing East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz, should they pounce now, and frankly, about anything seems like a viable option compared to Weis. But Chuckles doesn't think he'll be gone next year. In fact, he's telling recruits (via the unfathomably awesome Mouthpiece Blog) that he'll be back next year. Specifically, Shaquelle Evans.

"I asked him about his job status," Evans told the web site after Weis visited him Sunday. "He told me he's good to go; he'll be there. He said he made sure he's good before he left and it's just the media spreading that he's going to get fired. He said if he didn't know if he was going to be there or not he would tell me. It makes me feel good that he'll be there."

See? I told you he was being honest -- if he knew he was gone, he would tell Evans. But clearly Weis doesn't know if he's gone or not, because he doesn't meet with his boss until December 8. But imagine that you were in charge of a company that was failing miserably and you had to meet with your investors in a week: would you be confident of your job status?

Of course not. Yet, Charlie knows he's got the Irish by the you-know-whats, at least in terms of financial stability. Sure, they can fire him from his dream job and humiliate him personally, but they'll still have to pay him. And they'll lose recruits who believed the coaching staff. Really, it's a win-win for all of us that care so much for the NDers.

However, in fairness to Weis, as R points out, it would be totally ridiculous of him to be telling recruits that he might be gone -- he does care about his job, even if he's not good at it right now, and he certainly doesn't want to harm his future recruiting potential by acting like he might be staring down at the firing squad.

Charlie Weis, Totally Honest, Tells Recruits He'll Be Coaching the Irish Next Year originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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