Well, it’s certainly been a recovery week now, hasn’t it? We’ve got one more week of college football and I’m still wiped out from last week. I guess it’s time to go on a diet. Or at least a flash one. I’ve got about three weeks to slim back down and it’s going to be rough. The diet starts today with the Crib Sheet. Most of the news out there is just hype over the SEC, so I’m not going to waste your time on that. There is, however, some small tasty nuggets of news that you are all welcome to bite into. But after that I need 20 push ups. And… GO!
Continue reading Crib Sheet: Time To Go On A Diet →
Okay so alot of stuff happened over the last week regarding the Penn State Jerry Sandusky situation. And when I say alot of stuff, I mean alot. Basically, that school is screwed and it will take forever to rebuild. I’m sure due process will play out and what not, but it’s passed the point of no longer needing to be covered here. So let’s cheer up a bit. I’m going to a live college football game Saturday! I’m already getting stoked because I have some buds coming into town to watch it with me. In the meantime, here’s this week’s Crib Sheet:
Continue reading Crib Sheet: Closing A Chapter on This Book →
I know, I know, the summer heat based themes keep on coming. I’m still getting acclimated to the high climate down here and it’s all that’s on my brain. Some would say I’m in a drought for college football. Relief is right around the corner but as of now I’m super parched. Grab a glass a water for me and check out this week’s Crib Sheet:
Continue reading Crib Sheet: The Football Drought is Almost Over →
The coaching carousel is almost at a stop and now we are getting closer to signing day. Who will go where? I don’t know. But one thing I do know is the Crib Sheet will keep you updated with all of the latest commitments and decommitments:
- With TCU heading to the Big East, it seems that are also heading to the big time in recruiting. Local star, Brandon Carter changed his commitment from the venerable Oklahoma Sooners over to the Horned Frogs. Maybe the Texas kids are thinking they can shine better in the Big East than the tougher Big 12?
- Jim Leavitt is going to the big time. Not Kansas State Defensive Coordinator, but San Fransisco 49ers linebackers coach. It stinks for Wildcats fans as they were hoping Leavitt would come in and fix the defense. Maybe Bill Snyder 2.0 has something else up this sleeve? Meanwhile, defensive backs coach Keith Burns is taking his show back to Ole Miss.
- ESPN and the Texas Longhorns reached a 20 year, $300 million deal for a Longhorns Network. The school will be up for a tasty profit while the broadcast network will food the technical bills. Is this the end of the Big 12? Check back here in about 2 years.
- Texas Tech dropped TCU from their schedule last year and they are doing it for the upcoming season. It seems they need some room for the tougher Big 12 schedule.
- Speaking of the Red Raiders, a Texas judges tossed out a portion of Mike Leach’s suit against the university, only allowing non-monetary claims for the firing of Leach over Adam James’ concussion. If you’re wondering why Leach has yet to be yired, look no further than here.
- It seems Kansas is picking up the trail on the recruiting side of things. Turner Gill’s stealing recruits from neighboring states. I’m guessing his pitch is like this, “I’m a Nebraska guy that’s still in the Big 12. Kansas will be the new Nebraska of the Big 12.” That can seal some kids right there.
- Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops coached the Harlem Globetrotters Sunday. I wonder if he got to toss the bucket of confetti on the ref during the game?
- Fired sportscaster Ron Franklin is suing ESPN over the incident where he called a woman, “Sweetheart” in a production meeting. She objected and he called her an a-hole. I don’t know what to think about this. In the workplace, you can’t trust anyone when you say something because they may be out to get you canned, especially if it’s gender-related. I would say it’s safer to just be quiet and act professional. That said, “sweetheart” and “a-hole” is a pretty weak case to get fired over.
- Here’s your BCS payout sheet. So the Big 12 was on the lower tier of payouts for the 6 BCS Conferences. Not bad, but if they had 2 teams in the BCS bowls then they would’ve been up higher. Notre Dame gets a pretty good chunk for being independent. The argument against the BCS right here is that the small guys are getting the smaller piece of the pie. I will merely point to TCU and how they are moving up by winning.
- Some donors have high expectations. Take Robert G. Burton, major booster for UConn. Apparently he doesn’t like the athletic director and wants his $3 million in donations back and his name taken off the stadium. I’m pretty sure once you donate something, you can’t expect to get it back. But then again, if I had that kind of cash then I’d feel like I can run anything, too.
- Ex Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins agreed to a $4,000 fine for improperly receiving exercise equipment as a gift. This should be the last we hear of this guy.
- 12 Iowa football players were hospitalized for kidney issues related to offseason workouts. What’s going up there? Between drugs, legal issues, and now improper condition, this team is falling apart. Yet, they beat Missouri in the Insight Bowl. Just think, if all of this stuff was gone, they might have contended for a Big 10 title for real.
- Welp, since TCU is leaving the Mountain West Conference, the conference retaliated by changing the site of the Boise State game with the Horned Frogs back to Idaho. It was supposed to be at TCU’s home field. Way to get your revenge, mid-con.
Okay, we are begging to plug up the hole speculation regarding the Big 10 expansion. Our series covered what we think and we’ve had just about enough talk to last us awhile. It’s time to start focusing on real football and clean up for the mess left behind from the slick speculation. Don’t worry, we’ll leave the camera on while we do it. We’ll also leave it up to the Crib Sheet if you need your fix. Here ya go:
- Where Joe Paterno wants the Big 10 Conference to expand, his kid Jay doesn’t. His major point is the erosion of rivalries that kept the league strong for so many years. You’d think the tradition argument would come from the old Paterno and not the young one.
- BCS Commissioner Bill Hancock responded to Congress’ questions on the BCS with a 5 page letter basically telling them to back off. Money’s at play here and it looks like Washington wants to step in an regulate some flow their way. Is this really the right way to get to a college football playoff?
- Tulsa World columnist Dave Sittler layed the smack down on Missouri athletics last week. The Tigers spend more money than five schools in the Big 12 and only has 8 championships to claim. That’s the lowest in the conference. Does the Big 10 really want to invite a traditional loser?
- A bunch of big wigs piled onto both Texas Tech and former head coach Mike Leach for the handling of concussed daddy’s boy Adam James. House Judiciary Committee member Linda Sanchez and NFLPA doctor Thom Mayer both were wondering why the injury was hidden and not available for doctors to treat. Nasty drama aside, the doctor’s should be there to help treat players if they get a concussion.
- Remember all of the hub-bub about Michigan getting in trouble over practicing players too much? Well, today the university self-imposed restrictions to head off and NCAA troubles. Essentially they are cutting back practicing hours and shrinking down some of the coaching staff. Will this affect the Wolverines play next year?
- Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops weighed on the expansion speculation, telling reporters that the Sooners would be a good fit anywhere. Way to really stand out on the ledge Bobby. Sure the Sooners would be great anywhere, how does that add any more insight into the expansion talk? What we have here is coach talk 101. You say your team is the best no matter the scenario.
Signing Day is upon us! Today is the day of the year when high school kids across the country pick their football mates and spurn others. The ritual goes on for years, sometimes, and the final chapter only begets a new book in life. So congratulations to all the kids across the USA who not only get to play big time football, but also get a big time scholarship. Maybe they can become meterologist or study something failry easy like communications. Here’s our communications thesis, the Crib Sheet:
- A new award for the most versatile college football player was announced last week. It’s the Paul Hornung Award, named after the former all around guy and Notre Damer. We doubt any lineman will be getting this one.
- Due to the open records act for state of Texas and Texas Tech University, we now find that Craig James threatened to sue Texas Tech if Mike Leach’s actions taken for his son Adam were not investigated. So now it is confirmed that Craig James was trying to pull some weight around there. On the other hand, it is his kid and he was worried about his kids health. Any father would want to protect his kid from injury. The problem here is the action taken was just sending him away from the team. Nothing physical. Nothing really mentally debilitating. Fathers take note: don’t be a douche like Craig James.
- We now know that Turner Gill will be making about $2 million per year from his contract, gathered from the release of they detail of his contract. He’ll have a tall order to rebuild (already) a busted up Kansas team. Hey, if he can do it he deserves and then some.
- Speaking of Kansas, the Gridiron Club plans appear to be dead in the water. The initial project fulfills the need to stack some rich people high up in new luxury suites and toss free food and drink down their throat. Too bad the team tanked this year, as if they had actually been competitive, they might have had a shot of following through on this thing.
- In what looks like to be a ploy to somehow win back some people, the Justice Department responded back to Senator Orrin Hatch’s request to investigate the legality of the BCS system in college football. The Obama administration wrote in a memo detailing options on what it could do to help resolve the issue if it so inclined to get involved. We’re not sure if the administration is placating Hatch or not, but one thing is for sure, if they spend too much time on this issue it will backfire for them.
- The much ballyhooed Senior Bowl came and went. Nothing happened. Okay, well, Tim Tebow played really bad and we’ll see him running the ball or holding the clipboard next year in the NFL. LeGarrette Blount ran for a touchdown so his draft stock went up. Outside of that, just another football game. Hey, at least those kids were trying versus the big boys in the Pro Bowl.
- The recruiting trail is heating up and there’s one big commitment that new Kansas coach Turner Gill just landed. Brandon Bourbon was going to go to Stanford, but Gill influenced the four star recruit to become a Jayhawk. This was much needed for Gill as he lost a couple of four star guys when Mark Mangino got fired. We wonder what type of whiskey Brandon drinks.
- ESPN blogger Tim Griffith points to an article breaking down hometowns of the nation’s football recruits. While he finds most of the kids that play in the Big 12 come from Texas, the more surprising stat is that Kansas City is number 3. Way to go, local kids, now stay in the local area schools.
Coaches come and coaches go, but we can’t believe how things are getting turned around in the very start of this off season. Coaches leaving. Coaches coming. Some with long tenures, some with short. The heads at the KCCGD headquarters are still a little scrambled. Fortunately, we have this week’s Crib Sheet to help sort things out. We’re sure you are about as confused as we are so let’s get right to it:
- Missouri apologized for its band playing over the Navy’s fight song during their bowl game earlier. It was the only thing they had over Navy in that game. Navy’s still tooting their horn over the thumping they gave the Tigers.
- South Florida fired Jim Leavitt after allegations of Leavitt beating up some kids. The hammer is falling fast on tough coaches and it looks as though it will continue. It almost seems like that’s enough for colleges to get out from under big contracts. Either that or in this time and age you tell you assistant coach to rough up a kind instead of yourself. So, Jim, take a deep breath and come back home to K-State. Or hire a lawyer.
- Meanwhile, on the fired coaches trip, Mike Leach accuses Texas Tech of slander and libel due to the fallout from his firing as head coach. Leach’s camp states that the allegations from his treatment of Adam James hurts Leach’s reputation and his ability to get another job. This legal battle will play out for a long time. As you guessed it, Texas Tech asked the court to throw the case out.
- In the meantime, Texas Tech already hired Tommy Tubberville as their new head coach. He’s been trolling around for a new job since he got canned from Auburn. He was displaying interest in Kansas when that job opened up. Looks like Tech found a good replacement.
- While we are in Texas, the Longhorns trainer officially told the press that there was no way Colt McCoy could continue to play in the BCS National Championship. A pinched nerve and a dead arm is a serious thing. Apparently, Colt tossed the ball to his high school coach dad and could only muster 7 yards in the locker room. This will seal the deal on the mystery of Colt and what could of happened.
- Nick Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, returns to Notre Dame this year after a year away at community college. It wasn’t because of grades, it was because he was not physically in shape for college ball. We don’t think he’ll be a starter quick but it’s nice to see that a former Domer’s kid can make the same team.
- Pete Carroll is your new NFL Seattle Seahawks head coach. He talked about the process earlier this week. The rumor mill was all over the place since Friday and Monday confirmed it. There’s going to be a huge hole at USC and we’re still not sure who can fill it next. Tune in next week.
- When rumors of a coach leaving a school pops up, you tend to see other schools scramble to keep their coach. Such is the case with Oregon State and Mike Riley. He’s been really good with the Beavers and even the faintest rumor of a USC job got him a 3 year extension.
- So who did USC get? Well, Lane Kiffin, of course! Rumors were flying all over about new candidates, but the former NFL Oakland Raiders head coach and now former Tennessee Volunteers head coach will take over. Kiffin was an alumni for USC and a former Offensive Coordinator under Pete Carroll. The time was really short for Kiffin’s tenures at both the pros and the college ranks. We’re thinking that this is a ‘coming home’ type situation and that he’ll be there at least 3 years. Hopefully.
- So who’s number one for Tennessee now? (Getting kind of ridiculous, isn’t it?) Welp, Texas Defensive Coordinator and head coach heir Will Muschamp. He was on the list last year when the Vols needed a coach so this will be the same kind of dance again. Wethinks that Will’s getting another massive pay raise.
- Colt McCoy’s moving on with life after a BCS Championship injury. He proposed to his girlfriend at the Longhorns’ Memorial stadium. It’s not as sweet as the Boise State guy doing it during the game, but it’s still a very sweet play on McCoy.
Bowl season and, well, the whole college football season is almost over. We have one more HUGE game left. No, not the GMAC Bowl tonight, but the BCS National Championship game! We here at the KCCGD promise you that we will keep the hype to a minimum as the other outlets have that way covered. So, in lieu of that, we will have another exciting rendition of the Crib Sheet. Some emotional coaching moments happened in the last week, both high and low, so let’s get right to it:
- So Mike Leach up and got fired. Apparently the officials at Texas Tech didn’t like how he handled Adam James. We’re thinking they are getting back at him for the contract dispute they had earlier this year. All they needed was an excuse and they got one from Craig James. Mild concussion or not, the fact that they had a trainer there with ice and water for the kid doesn’t show that he’s been treated poorly. If any mistreatment is happening, it’s from Papa James thinking his son has talent. This one is far from over, folks.
- The 911 call from Urban Meyer’s wife reveal that he was having massive chest pains after his Florida Gators lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. This guy puts everything he has into coaching. Funny how all it took was one practice and he came back to coaching, with 2 days removed from retirement. It’s truly inspiring and we hopes he recovers.
- Bobby Bowden won his last game ever against West Virginia , a team he once coached, in the Gator Bowl. He even got to plants the spear on the filed. A tradition held by the the team’s mascot. Our question: when is Joe Paterno next? Not soon, as his Penn State team whupped up on LSU.
- Domino’s CEO David Brandon has accepted the athletic director position at the University of Michigan. What does pizza have to do with college sports? Usually during the games in the stadiums its hot dogs and cotton candy. Who knows? Brandon did play for Bo Schembechler, however. So it looks like pizza will send for Rich Rodriguez if he doesn’t make a bowl this year.
- ESPN will unveil a 3D channel next year and show the BCS National Championship game on it in 2011. What could be better than seeing that goofy mascot head pop onto Lee Corso’s body in glorious 3D? Okay, lots of things. But now all we need are glasses and a tv equipped with 3D technology and we can enjoy it all together!
…will not be discussed here. We’ve seen enough on the other websites so we are just going to say this was the best decade evar. All due to the KCCGD. Plus we’re still drying off from all of the snow that’s still dumping outside. Fortunately, there’s a bowl game on every night to keep us warm and cozy. New Year Eve and Day will be packed full of bowls as well. It’s the last huzzah of the college football season and the decade, help us celebrate in in style! Until then, here’s this week’s crib sheet:
- TCU head coach Gary Patterson is your AP Head Coach of the Year. The former Kansas State alum took a mid-con team undefeated and in the top ranks of the BCS. This guy deserves it. Now only if he rides out the contract a couple of years and takes over for Bill Snyder 2.0 in a couple of years. Heck, they may be a part of the Big 12 in a couple of years anyway. Congrats, coach.
- Missouri Governor Jay Nixon took some pot shots at Texas Tech and Oklahoma State while trumping up support for the rumored Missouri move to the Big 10. Basically he said those schools housed dumb people. Boy if the Tigers stay in the Big 12 after all of this, look out for some revenge to be had in the next couple of seasons.
- Sarah Thomas was the first female official to game a bowl Saturday at the Little Caesars Bowl. Some true ground was broken and word has it, she’s being eyeballed by the NFL. So now all we need to see are some ladies on the field competing. But not a Kathy Ireland type thing.
- He’s in, he’s out, he’s somewhat both. Last weekend, Urban Meyer resigned from the team, announced he was coaching the Sugar Bowl, then announced he was coming back next year. Apparently this all was due to health issues. We think that many Florida fans and alums are experienced some heart related health issues upon hearing this set of news.
- Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach gets the suspension card handed down to him for mistreating Adam James, Craig James kid, because of a concussion he had. Leach’s side of the story includes no apologies and a meddling former NFL player dad. It seems the recent incident with Mark Mangino is helping other players come out of the closet against tough guy coaches. Everyone knew that Leach is a pirate and a pirates life is rough, however. Yearggh. And this pirate is seeking an court order to play the Alamo Bowl. This one’s going to get ineteresting.
College Sports, Kansas City style
