NEXT VIDEO

• Big 12, SEC Champs To Play Bowl Game
  

  Big 12, SEC Champs To Play Bowl Game

• SEC-Big 12 game
  

  SEC-Big 12 game

• Brown: ‘It Will Be Fun For Us To Compete’
  

  Brown: ‘It Will Be Fun For Us To Compete’

• Ohio State Self-Reports 46 Violations
  

  Ohio State Self-Reports 46 Violations

The Big 12 and the Southeastern conferences have announced a deal that will pit their football regular-season champions against each other in a New Year’s Day bowl game for five years beginning in 2014, positioning themselves for the expected switch to a four-team playoff.

In fact, SEC commissioner Mike Slive all but said that scenario is coming in Friday’s announcement of the agreement between two of the most successful BCS conferences.

Galloway Company

Acting Big 12 commish Chuck Neinas dishes on the deal that pits SEC and Big 12 champions in a New Year’s Day bowl game.

More Podcasts »

“A new January bowl tradition is born,” Slive said in a statement. “This new game will provide a great matchup between the two most successful conferences in the BCS era and will complement the exciting postseason atmosphere created by the new four-team model.

“Most importantly, it will provide our student-athletes, coaches and fans with an outstanding bowl experience.”

If one or both of the league champions are selected to play in the playoff, another team would be selected for the Big 12-SEC bowl showdown on Jan. 1.

The move will establish the equivalent of the Pac-12-versus-Big Ten Rose Bowl, minus nearly a century of tradition. Those two conferences have pushed for a new format preserving that matchup for the Rose Bowl, which Slive has indicated he doesn’t favor.

Schlabach: Impact Already Felt

It won’t have more than 100 years of tradition and won’t be called the “Granddaddy of Them All,” but the new Big 12-SEC bowl might end up being a better game, writes ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach.
Story

• Take 2: Aschoff, Ubben debate merits
• Miller: Imitation as flattery
• Bennett: Yellow Rose Of Texas?

But the spawning of conference-king matchups could grow even further, as a source told ESPN’s Joe Schad the Big East would be open to a champion challenge bowl with the ACC.

Specific details for the Big 12-SEC matchup, including host sites, will be announced later.

“Our goal is to provide the fans across the country with a New Year’s Day prime-time tradition,” acting Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas said. “This is a landmark agreement between two of the most successful football conferences during the BCS era to stage a postseason event. The creation of this game featuring the champions of the Big 12 and SEC will have tremendous resonance in college football.”

BCS executive director Bill Hancock has said 11 conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director will present a “small number” of options — two to seven configurations — for a four-team playoff to their leagues at conference meetings this summer.

SEC teams have won the past six BCS national titles, including Alabama’s victory over LSU in January. The Big 12 and SEC each has had a top-four team in the final standings in 11 of the 14 seasons since the BCS was created, the most of any league.

Big 12 blog

ESPN.com’s David Ubben writes about all things involving the Big 12 in the conference blog.
More:
• ESPN.com’s SoonerNation
• ESPN.com’s HornsNation
• Blog network: College Football Nation

The two league champions have met twice in BCS bowl games since 1998, both in BCS Championship Games. In 2010, Alabama defeated Texas 37-21 in Pasadena, Calif., and in 2009, Florida defeated Oklahoma 24-14 in Miami.

The move is especially noteworthy for the Big 12, which was scrambling to hold itself together just two years ago after losing four teams.

Nebraska left for the Big Ten, Colorado went to the Pac-12 and, as of July 1, Missouri and Texas AM will be in the SEC. The Big 12 is adding TCU and West Virginia this year to remain at 10 member schools.

“This agreement reinforces that the Big 12 is exactly what we’ve been saying for some time — a strong, stable, vibrant conference that is at the forefront of intercollegiate athletics,” said Dr. Sheahon Zenger, Kansas’ athletic director.

SEC blog

ESPN.com’s Chris Low and Edward Aschoff write about all things SEC football in the conference blog.
More:
• ESPN.com’s GatorNation
• Blog network: College Football Nation

Jayhawks coach Charlie Weis agreed.

“What a great day for the Big 12,” he said, “To be matched with the champion of the SEC places the two most successful conferences in the BCS era head-to-head. All Big 12 fans should be happy today.”

Sources told ESPN’s Schad that no conference or bowl partner was blindsided by the announcement, that they were advised in advance it was happening.

Rick Baker, president and CEO of the ATT Cotton Bowl Classic, called the agreement “exciting and intriguing news.”

“We look forward to learning more about this championship matchup,” Baker said in a news release. “The ATT Cotton Bowl Classic, through its 15-year partnership with both the Big 12 and SEC, has seen firsthand the great tradition and history of these two conferences. This relationship has been very good to us and is without a doubt going to be a spectacular bowl game.”

The concept has been discussed for at least three years, the sources told Schad. The conclusion that a final four of football was in the works allowed for the announcement because the conferences knew what the BCS structure would look like.

“This is another example of the strength and stability of the Big 12 Conference,” Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said in a statement. “In the last month alone we have introduced this game and a new commissioner that is absolutely right for this league. In addition, we are in the process of formulating one of the top TV deals in college sports. The Big 12 is strong, stable and united.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Article source: http://espn.go.com/dallas/story/_/id/7945482/big-12-sec-champions-play-new-year-bowl-game

If there was any doubt which sport drives the bus at Old Dominion, it was erased Thursday afternoon.

School officials didn’t announce the move to Conference USA at the basketball arena; they did it at the football stadium.

This move was all about reclassifying a 3-year-old football program that has succeeded every step of the way – one that, if measured like a toddler, would show up in the 98th percentile.

The key, though, is that while football is the driving force, the students won’t be paying for the gas. ODU president John Broderick and athletic director Wood Selig said Thursday that student activities fees would not increase to pay for a move that will cost more to make happen.

Broderick said when he and Selig first discussed switching from the Colonial Athletic Association to C-USA, “my second sentence was, ‘We can’t do this on the backs of the students.’ “

Selig quickly, and with tongue firmly in cheek, corrected Broderick, saying, “It was his first sentence.”

So who will pay for the move? According to Selig, ODU’s athletic budget will need to increase by about 10 percent to make this leap work. That means the $32 million for the upcoming academic year will need to grow to $35 million for 2013-14, which would be the Monarchs’ first in C-USA.

Alumni and supporters will pay some; in fact, they already have. Selig, football coach Bobby Wilder and fundraiser Mark Benson have been shaking the trees looking for any and every shiny apple ever since the potential move became public knowledge.

The trio raised $3 million in promises to the program in that time.

Away from the cameras and tape recorders Thursday, Benson called Wilder “the great recruiter,” whether dealing with an athletic 17-year-old or someone four times that age who happens to have deep pockets.

“He’s been a machine,” Benson said. “And every morning when he picked me up to go see someone new, he had a piping hot cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee waiting for me in the car.”

Dunkin’ Donuts, eh? Well, if ODU fans hadn’t already grown accustomed to first downs and three-point plays being sponsored, they better prepare for even more. One thing about this area: To this point it hasn’t had a program it could rally around that was truly part of the national scope.

With no major league sports or bowl-eligible football teams, Hampton Roads was an untapped market. Now, its corporate dollars will be tapped, and tapped hard, as ODU is preparing to put southeastern Virginia on an exclusive map that previously wasn’t part of the region’s GPS.

C-USA isn’t the SEC or the ACC, but it isn’t the low-level Sun Belt or Mid-American, either. And, as Selig said, “The SEC or ACC didn’t call.”

Those fans who thought if ODU were to leave the CAA it should be to the SEC or ACC – or maybe even the Big East – should think baby steps first.

Then again, it’s pretty hard for this program to think in those terms anymore. Three years ago, ODU hadn’t played a football game. Since then, it has averaged nine wins a season and went to last fall’s Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Three years from now, the Monarchs could find themselves hosting the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the Conference USA title game at 30,000-seat Foreman Field.

Don’t think it will happen? Did you think three years ago that ODU would be announcing a move to C-USA?

Rich Radford, 757-446-2463,rich.radford@pilotonline.com

<!–

–>

Article source: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/column-football-booted-odu-through-uprights-cusa

It’s anybody’s guess what will happen with realignment this summer, but a lot has changed since last season. Here’s a primer on what has happened for all 11 conferences and Independent teams and what could happen this summer if more moves begin to take place. 

ACC

What’s Happened: The ACC made an early strike in conference realignment last season, plucking Pittsburgh and Syracuse away from the Big East. The conference is scheduled to become a 14-team league, with the Panthers and Orange expected to join in time for the 2013 season. Pittsburgh will join the Coastal Division, while Syracuse has been placed in the Atlantic.

What’s Next: The first domino in the next round of realignment could fall with Florida State. The Seminoles joined the ACC in 1991, but could be looking to explore membership in the Big 12. If Florida State leaves the ACC, it may not come alone, as Miami and Clemson have also been mentioned as possible Big 12 expansion candidates. If the Seminoles decide to stay, the ACC will proceed with its 14-team alignment, but could look to add Rutgers and Connecticut in the future.

Big East

What’s Happened: The Big East has been a punching bag through this round of realignment. Pittsburgh and Syracuse left to join the ACC, while West Virginia bolted for the Big 12. With those defections, the conference was left with just five teams. The Big East should have expanded in previous years, but secured eight schools to join over the next couple of seasons. Temple was brought aboard for 2012, while Houston, SMU, UCF, Memphis, Boise State and San Diego State will join in time for 2013. Navy is scheduled to join in 2015.

What’s Next: Although the Big East is in a better position than it was in October, the conference could be facing more defections. If Florida State leaves the ACC, Connecticut and/or Rutgers could be targeted to replace the Seminoles. Louisville is interested in joining the Big 12, while Boise State and San Diego State could be forced to return to the Mountain West. Unless the Broncos can find a home for their other sports, they will have to depart the Big East, and the Aztecs will certainly follow. Boise State is expected to apply for membership in the Big West, and if accepted, would guarantee the Broncos play in the Big East for 2013. The conference is also going through a transition period, as John Marinatto is out as commissioner and Joseph Bailey is working on an interim basis. The Big East can’t feel too secure about its future until Boise State’s situation is resolved. Also, the conference is still looking for another Western member, which could be BYU, Air Force or UNLV.

Big Ten

What’s Happened: The Big Ten added Nebraska in 2010 to get to 12 teams and stage a conference championship game.

What’s Next: The Big Ten is in no hurry to expand and isn’t in any danger of losing teams. The conference will always keep a spot open for Notre Dame, but is there a clear 14^th team? Unless there is a shift by the other BCS conferences to get to 16 teams, the Big Ten is likely to remain quiet on the realignment front.

Big 12

What’s Happened: Realignment talk has dominated the Big 12 for the last two years. The conference lost Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-12 in June 2010. The Big 12 decided not to expand after losing the Cornhuskers and Buffaloes, choosing to stay at 10 teams for the 2011 season. Realignment dominated the conference early in the year, as Texas AM and Missouri bolted for the Big 12, while the conference got back to 10 teams with the additions of West Virginia and TCU.

What’s Next: The top priority for new commissioner Bob Bowlsby is the decision on expansion. Does the Big 12 want to expand to 12 teams or stay with its 10-team alignment? Texas – which has a large voice in the conference – does not want to expand. However, there is interest from the other teams to get back to 12. If Florida State wants to join the Big 12, the conference would have a hard time saying no to one of college football’s top 20 programs. If the Seminoles do make the jump from the ACC, Louisville is a strong candidate to be team No. 12, while rumors around the Big 12 have suggested Clemson and Miami might be interested in the Big 12 as well. Much of the next round of realignment will hinge on Florida State and the Big 12. Even if the Seminoles pass on the Big 12, the conference could look to expand by adding Louisville and BYU. If the Big 12 decides not to expand, realignment talk should quiet.

Conference USA

What’s Happened: Conference USA lost four teams to the Big East – UCF, Memphis, Houston and SMU – which was the league’s first change in football membership since 2005. The Tigers have struggled on the gridiron, but was the conference’s top basketball program. SMU is a team on the rise, while Houston was on the doorstep of playing in a BCS bowl this season. UCF is located in a valuable market (Orlando) and won three East Division titles since joining the conference in 2005.

What’s Next: Conference USA and the Mountain West discussed a merger, but decided to operate as separate conferences. With only eight members in the league for 2013, Conference USA expanded to include FIU, Louisiana Tech, North Texas and UTSA. UNC Charlotte will join in time for the 2015 season, but the conference is still seeking another member to get to 14 teams. Old Dominion has been rumored as a possible candidate, but has not announced its intentions.  

Independents

Army – The Black Knights’ participated as a member of Conference USA from 1998-2004, but decided to return to Independent status. Although Army could be targeted by the Big East for future expansion, it’s unlikely the Black Knights will give up Independence.

BYU – The Cougars had a successful first season of Independent scheduling, recording a 10-3 record with a victory over Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl. BYU was targeted by the Big East for expansion, but decided not to join, at least for now. The Cougars have been mentioned as a candidate for Big 12 expansion, but with the rumors of Florida State’s possible interest in leaving the ACC, BYU could be slipping down the pecking order. The Cougars are content to remain an Independent, but their access to the BCS/playoff system won’t change.

Navy – The Midshipmen will play as an Independent the next few seasons, but will join the Big East in time for the 2015 season.

Notre Dame – Although the Big 12, Big Ten and ACC could try to pull the Irish into a conference, it’s very unlikely Notre Dame will give up its Independence. The new college football playoff requirements won’t force the Irish to join a conference, so barring some drastic change in the next couple of years, Notre Dame will remain Independent. 

MAC

What’s Happened: After playing with 13 teams and unbalanced divisions since 2007, the MAC was set to become a 14-team conference in 2012. UMass is making the jump from FCS and will play a full MAC schedule this season. However, Temple decided to return to the Big East, leaving the MAC with 13 teams once again.

What’s Next: Expect the MAC to explore expansion to get to 14 teams. Candidates could be at the FCS level or could the conference take a look at Idaho? There’s no easy fit for the MAC, so the conference will be selective in choosing a 14^th team – and it may not be anytime soon. 

Mountain West

What’s Happened: With TCU, BYU, Utah in the conference and Boise State on the way, the Mountain West appeared on the verge of earning an automatic spot into the BCS. How quickly things have changed. TCU and Utah left for BCS conferences, and BYU chose to go Independent. Boise State and San Diego State are slated to join the Big East in time for the 2013 season, provided the Broncos can find a home for their non-football programs. The Mountain West raided the WAC two years ago, pulling in Nevada, Fresno State and Hawaii to have 10 football members for 2012. Utah State and San Jose State will join the Mountain West in time for the 2013 season.

What’s Next: Commissioner Craig Thompson has at least 10 teams secured for 2013 and isn’t in a hurry to expand. If Boise State is unable to find a home for its non-football sports, the Broncos and San Diego State could return to the Mountain West. If both teams stay in the Big East, the Mountain West could revisit adding Idaho and New Mexico State to get to 12 teams, but it’s unlikely either will be extended an invitation this year.

Pac-12

What’s Happened: Aggressive has been the word surrounding Larry Scott’s tenure as Pac-12 commissioner. Since taking over in 2009, Scott has helped the Pac-12 land a solid television deal, while starting up a conference television network. Scott added Utah and Colorado to get the conference to 12 members. He also made an unsuccessful run at Texas and Oklahoma, hoping to create college football’s first 16-team BCS conference.

What’s Next: Oklahoma and Oklahoma State expressed interest in joining the Pac-12 last season, but talk of that has quieted down since things in the Big 12 have stabilized. Scott is aggressive, and at the first sign of changes across the landscape, he will look to add more teams. Boise State could be a possible target in the future, but outside of BYU – which seems unlikely to ever join the Pac-12 – there are no logical fits out West. Unless the Big 12 becomes unstable once again, the Pac-12 should be quiet when it comes to expansion. 

SEC

What’s Happened: An opportunity to expand into Texas and the St. Louis/Kansas City markets was simply too good for the SEC to pass up. For the first time since 1991, the SEC invited new members, as Texas AM and Missouri jumped from the Big 12 to join college football’s top conference.

What’s Next: The SEC is in no hurry to add any teams. And it may be a while before we see the conference make the jump to 16 members. Whenever the SEC looks to expand, it will be about new markets. NC State and Virginia Tech are possible new teams and markets, but neither has expressed any interest in leaving the ACC. The SEC expanded to 12 teams in 1991 and moved to 14 in 2012. Considering the conference will be very selective with any future membership, it may be 20 years before the SEC expands again.

Sun Belt

What’s Happened: Until recently, the Sun Belt Conference had been quiet on the expansion scene. South Alabama is bringing its upstart football program from the FCS ranks this season, which will give the conference 10 teams for 2012. Former WAC commissioner Karl Benson was appointed as the head of the Sun Belt earlier this year and has been aggressive with exploring expansion possibilities. Georgia State and Texas State will join the conference in 2013, but FIU and North Texas are departing for Conference USA.

What’s Next: The Sun Belt is not finished with expansion. UT Arlington has been rumored as a possible candidate, while Appalachian State is interested in making the move from the FCS ranks, but seems to be aiming for a Conference USA invite. Liberty recently announced its intentions to move to FBS play and could be a target for the Sun Belt. New Mexico State and Idaho previously played in the Sun Belt and could look to join as football-only members.

WAC

What’s Happened: The WAC has been picked apart over the last couple of years and could be entering its final season as a football conference. Boise State, Fresno State, Hawaii and Nevada all jumped to the Mountain West, leaving Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State and UTSA as its members for 2012.

What’s Next: With Karl Benson leaving to be the commissioner of the Sun Belt, the WAC is in total disarray. Texas State is slated to join the Sun Belt in 2013, while Louisiana Tech and UTSA are moving to Conference USA. Utah State and San Jose State are joining the Mountain West next season. Idaho and New Mexico State are the only two football schools slated to participate in the WAC next season and both are exploring options with other conferences. The Aggies have been mentioned as a possible candidate for Sun Belt expansion, while the Vandals are still searching for a home on the FBS level. Unless the WAC can convince a handful of FCS schools to move up to FBS play, this conference won’t have a football schedule next year. 

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Related College Football Content

Athlon’s Top 25 Countdown for 2012

Article source: http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-2012-realignment-breakdown

NEXT VIDEO

• Teams Moving To New Conferences
  

  Teams Moving To New Conferences

• Eleven snag Opening invitations in Baltimore
  

  Eleven snag Opening invitations in Baltimore

• Baltimore NFTC WR/DB One-On-Ones – Part 2
  

  Baltimore NFTC WR/DB One-On-Ones – Part 2

• Baltimore NFTC WR/DB One-On-Ones – Part 1
  

  Baltimore NFTC WR/DB One-On-Ones – Part 1

In most years, the essence of spring practice could be captured at Stanford, Baylor and Boise State, where iconic quarterbacks have moved to the NFL and fans wonder if football ever will be the same.

[+] Enlarge

Here’s some breaking news: Josh Nunes and Brett Nottingham will never be Andrew Luck, just as NF1 (Nick Florence) won’t be RG3, just as Joe Southwick, the junior expected to replace Kellen Moore, won’t win 50 games in a Broncos uniform. For those teams, the new normal just may be, well, normal. Spring football is about acknowledging that stars shine brightly and then they are gone.

That works in reverse, too. Spring practice is about erasing the bad memories of the previous fall and building upon the good ones. It is about optimism and growth. But more than any other quality, spring football is about renewal. That is true every spring on every campus, but never more so than in 2012.

It’s not just because the sport’s superstars are gone. It is because the problems of last year are gone, too. College football has never wanted to put a lid on a season like it did 2011. The pain has passed, and several programs began to stretch their muscles to break through the scar tissue left behind.

The adhesions run deep at Penn State, where former coach Joe Paterno ran the program for nearly 46 seasons. The Nittany Lions have a new coach, the unheralded, untested Bill O’Brien, who had the luxury of spending the spring installing new schemes and learning the skills of his players. That’s the easy part. O’Brien still must navigate replacing a legend at a university trying to come to grips with the scandal and power struggle that forced Paterno out.

If nothing else, O’Brien serves as comfort for Urban Meyer at Ohio State, who may realize there’s at least one head coach with a task tougher than his. The Buckeyes are used to wearing scarlet, just not the scarlet P for probation that will symbolize the 2012 season. There will be no Big Ten championship game or bowl for Ohio State. No one, least of all Meyer, is confusing a lack of a final goal with a lack of focus. Meyer has promised to himself, his family and everyone else that he will temper his intensity. But word out of Columbus this spring is that a tempered Meyer is still far from cuddly.

North Carolina, like Ohio State, is trying to pull out of the NCAA ditch after a season with an interim head coach. The Tar Heels, like the Buckeyes, will not play in a postseason bowl. Academic fraud and other penalties laid waste to the high hopes engendered when the university hired Butch Davis as coach in 2007. North Carolina spent the spring trying to adjust to the fast-tempo offense that new coach Larry Fedora brought with him from Southern Mississippi.

[+] Enlarge

You don’t have to have scandal to start over. Texas AM and Missouri are starting their lives in a new conference (SEC). So are TCU and West Virginia (Big 12). The hard work of the switch — the coaching staffs digesting new opponents — will begin in earnest in June, after spring recruiting is done. In College Station this spring, however, the sense of excitement, of beginning anew, felt palpable.

The same feeling, that tangible idea that change is afoot, envelops anyone who cares about the postseason. Days before spring football came to a close, the FBS conference commissioners agreed to propose a four-team playoff. The change won’t be implemented for two more years. But the decision to make the change added considerable heft to the idea that the game is on the verge of breaking into the open field.

All of college football is poised in a pregame locker room, waiting to burst out of the tunnel and compete. There has been so much renewal over the last few months that the defending national champion spent its spring practice in the shadows. The focus of the sport has not been on Alabama or the teams trying to replace it at the top of the BCS.

The focus has been on starting anew. Change is a common theme in spring practice. Arkansas, the latest team to contract a bad case of scandalitis, fired Bobby Petrino and hired his mentor, John L. Smith, who left the program only a few months before. The Razorbacks changed as little as possible. This spring, that counters every rock-ribbed principle of the game. This spring, the key is change through renewal.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Ivan Maisel | email

Senior Writer, ESPN.com

• Follow
• Archive

• ESPN.com senior college football writer
• Three-time FWAA award winner
• 25 seasons covering college football

Article source: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7936622/spring-football-ushers-fresh-start

“The most fun I had in football was in college,” said Johnson, one of 17 inductees into the 2012 College Football Hall of Fame bowl subdivision class announced Tuesday in Manhattan. “Even though I work in professional football with FOX and NFL Sunday, every Saturday I fly out to L.A. and I’ve get three TVs set up.

Jimmy Johnson’s final game as coach of the Hurricanes was a 23-3 win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. (AP Photo)

“Terry Bradshaw, my best friend, Terry and I sit there watching games, and we have college football on all day long. We start at 10 o’clock in the morning, watching college football, and we won’t turn the TVs off until that night. That’s how we prepare for our show the next day. That’s how we feel about college football.”

Johnson weighed in on other topics after his upcoming December induction was revealed, including:

On football’s increased focus on ways to prevent head trauma injuries:

“We’re all attracted to the sport because of the violent nature,” Johnson said. “But by the same token, we all have to understand that there are medical concerns. I think that’s what they’re trying to do with professional football as well as collegiate football, is make the game safer. If it means taking away some of the violent hits, the safety of the players outweighs the attraction.

“I don’t like seeing lawsuits, but by the same token, I think everything we can do to prevent these concussions and make the game safer, that’s what we should do, even if it takes away from the violent nature of the game.”

On his decision to leave the University of Miami, where he won two national championships, to coach the Cowboys:

“Going to the Dallas Cowboys was a challenge,” Johnson said. “I think that’s why a lot of coaches leave college to give professional football a shot. The challenge, their own egos. That’s what it was for me. I didn’t expect to win as much. I didn’t expect to have as much fun. But there was a challenge, something I felt I had to do.

“Butch Davis talked to me before he went to the Browns. I said, ‘Butch, don’t think everything’s going to fall into place for you like what happened in Dallas. If history proves me right, you can stay three or four years, make a lot more money, and then go back to college.’ And that’s kind of how it happened. A lot of coaches have tried making that transition, leaving great, great situations in college. Some have done well, and some have not.”

On Miami’s 14-10 loss to Penn State in the 1986 national championship game, which still haunts Johnson:

“We probably had the most talented team in college football history in 1986, but we lost to Penn State,” Johnson said. “They had one first down in the second half, but we turned it over seven times. I went in that locker room and I’ve never been so devastated in my life. But it probably gave me determination to be a better coach, and be better prepared. I don’t know if we were overconfident or not. I probably should have scaled back, been a little more conservative in that game, not turned it over so much.”

On the recent troubles in Miami’s football program, which Johnson believes head coach Al Golden will overcome:

“There is so much visibility now,” Johnson said. “You don’t get away with anything. Nothing happens that the entire world doesn’t know about. I like Al Golden. He’s doing it the right way. He’s an outstanding recruiter. He’s very disciplined. I like his approach. I think he was the perfect guy to get Miami back on track.

“I told Al, you’re not going to have the facilities of your competitors. The University of Miami is not a rich school. They’ve got a low alumni base. You’re not going to have some of the things these other schools have. But the one thing that you do have is the opportunity to get players. If you work at recruiting, you can bring in talented players. For a head football coach, what you’re looking for is the opportunity to win.”

On a four-team playoff system to determine a college national champion, which Johnson supports:

“As long as we can incorporate it within the bowl system,” Johnson said.

The National Football Foundation announced the 2012 College Football Hall of Fame Subdivision class. The induction ceremony is Dec. 4 in New York City. Here is this year’s class:

Players

Charles Alexander, TB, LSU (1975-1978)

Otis Armstrong, HB, Purdue (1970-1972)

Steve Bartkowski, QB, California (1972-1974)

Hal Bedsole, SE, Southern California (1961-1963)

Dave Casper, TE, Notre Dame (1971-1973)

Ty Detmer, QB, BYU (1988-1991)

Tommy Kramer, QB, Rice (1973-1976)

Art Monk, WR, Syracuse (1976-1979)

Greg Myers, DB, Colorado State (1992-1995)

Jonathan Ogden, OT, UCLA (1992-1995)

Gabe Rivera, DT, Texas Tech (1979-1982)

Mark Simoneau, LB, Kansas State (1996-1999)

Scott Thomas, S, Air Force (1982-1985)

*John Wooten, OG, Colorado (1956-1958)

Coaches

Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee (1992-2008), Career record: 152-22-0

Jimmy Johnson, Oklahoma State (1979-1983), Miami (1984-1988), Career record: 81-34-3

R.C. Slocum, Texas AM (1989-2002) Career record: 123-47-2

* Selection from the FBS Veterans Committee

Article source: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2012-05-15/2012-college-football-hall-of-fame-former-miami-coach-jimmy-johnson-still-haunte

Though it had been more than 48 hours since Fisher and Board of Trustees chairman Andy Haggard made comments that seemed to indicate FSU was open to overtures from the Big 12 or other conferences — and 36 hours since FSU president Eric Barron had tried to squash the ordeal — the story clearly hadn’t lost any steam.

• STORY: FSU president responds to questions about Big 12

• STORY: Florida State storm subsides as ACC meetings open

Fisher tried to distance himself from the controversy one day earlier in an interview with the Democrat, and he did so again when national reporters arrived here Monday.

“I said the powers that be will make the decisions for Florida State,” Fisher said. “That’s the Board of Trustees and the (university) president. That’s all I said that day. They’ll do what’s best for Florida State.

“We’re in the ACC, and that’s where we’re at. I’m not a decision-maker.”

At the heart of the debate seems to be FSU’s dissatisfaction with the conference’s recently renegotiated television contract. According to reports, it could pay roughly $3 million less – per school, per year – than what some other conferences are taking home.

But Fisher acknowledged Monday that he didn’t have access to the contract details and wasn’t qualified to form a strong opinion. He also said he has not offered any input to FSU’s leaders about conference alignment.

“I don’t know the ramifications of what’s going on,” Fisher said. “I don’t know the details of the contracts or anything else. I’m sure they’ll ask all coaches, if that was ever (approached). But (leaving for the Big 12) has never been brought to the table, and that is not on the table to my knowledge.”

BCS playoff discussions

One of the main items on the football coaches’ agenda this week is reviewing proposals for a Bowl Championship Series playoff system – with the likely scenario featuring four teams playing a round of semifinals followed by a national championship game.

After Monday’s meeting, Fisher said the ACC coaches all seemed to agree that teams that win their conference championships should be selected ahead of other teams in their conferences.

“I think there has to be some stipulation in there about champions,” Fisher said. “Being a conference champion is no small task. I think there has to be a lot of weight given to conference champions.”

New blood

After the basketball coaches broke from their morning meeting, Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton stayed behind for about 20 minutes with the ACC’s two newest coaches – Jim Boeheim of Syracuse and Jamie Dixon of Pittsburgh.

Those two schools won’t start competing in the league for at least another year, but their coaches are attending their first ACC meetings this week.

“I think this has been good – to have those guys included,” Hamilton said. “They bring some different perspectives to the meetings that I believe is (beneficial).”

Article source: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/story/2012-05-14/Jimbo-Fisher-Im-not-a-decision-maker/54962802/1

(Keith Srakocic/AP)

Pittsburgh is going to court in an effort to get its football team out of the Big East as fast as possible.

The university filed a lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pa., on Friday, asking that the school be allowed to move to the ACC after competing in all sports following the upcoming academic year. Pittsburgh, along with Syracuse, gave notice to the Big East last September that it would be leaving the beleaguered conference for the greener pastures of the ACC. The move was supposed to happen after the 2013-14 season but the Big East had hinted that they were willing to work with both schools on an exit strategy.

Pittsburgh said in a statement it had recently been working with former Big East commissioner John Marinatto to leave the conference “after this upcoming academic year.”

Following the addition of Temple on Mar. 7, Marinatto spoke like someone willing to let the two defecting programs leave a year early.

“Our membership, given the speed and success of our expansion initiatives, I think it’s open to having the discussions with both Pittsburgh and Syracuse about them having an early departure,” Marinatto said.

“So we haven’t actually had those conversations yet, but our membership is certainly willing to do that at this point given where we’ve landed.”

Marinatto, who was working on behalf of the conference and the university presidents to expedite Pittsburgh out of the conference following this season, stepped down as Big East commissioner last Monday.

Recent overtures by the university to continue talks with the Big East about the school being allowed to leave after this season went unanswered, leading to a potential day in court.

“Attempts to contact the Big East in the following weeks to move the process forward have been unsuccessful, leading us to conclude that negotiations would not occur,” the statement said.

Pittsburgh also alluded to West Virginia leaving the conference early to join the Big 12 this season in addition to the recent round of expansion as reason for wanting to leave after the next academic year. The new schools coming into the conference mean that “the Big East will actually have four more football playing schools and more schools overall than when we gave notice that we were moving to a different conference.”

When contacted by Yahoo! Sports, Pittsburgh declined further comment on the timing of the suit.

The shakeups might not be over for the Big East as Louisville appears to be positioning itself for a possible move to the ACC or perhaps follow West Virginia to the Big 12. The potential loss of the Cardinals would leave the conference at 12 programs.

- – -
“Like” Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won’t see on the blog. Follow Kristian Dyer @KristianRDyer. And follow Dr. Saturday at its new home on Twitter: @YahooDrSaturday

Article source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/pittsburgh-sues-big-east-conference-035947672.html

Razorbacks coach John L. Smith immediately and indefinitely suspended the three players in his first test of discipline since being hired to replace Bobby Petrino last month.

“We have high standards for our student-athletes, and I expect them to conduct themselves appropriately,” Smith said. “Poor conduct and misbehavior will not be tolerated and is not what we expect from the University of Arkansas football program.”

Six Razorback players have been arrested since March, and Saturday’s arrests add to what has already been a difficult spring for Arkansas, which was 11-2 last season and finished the season ranked No. 5 after a Cotton Bowl win over Kansas State.

Petrino was fired April 10 after initially trying to cover up the fact he was riding with his mistress during an April 1 motorcycle accident. The married father of four later admitted to an inappropriate relationship with Jessica Dorrell, who Petrino had hired to work in the football department and had given $20,000 in gifts.

In mid-March, offensive tackle Jason Peacock was arrested and charged with using a stolen debit card to buy $35 worth of gas. Wide receiver Kane Whitehurst was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia in early April, and linebacker Tyler Gilbert was arrested in mid-April for allegedly taking part in an apartment break-in.

Wade, a sophomore, is the top returning player of the three — Humphrey is a junior and Peterson is a redshirt freshman — after finishing with eight catches for 62 yards last season. He was one of Arkansas’ top offensive threats during its recently completed spring practice, finishing with five touchdown catches during one scrimmage, and was being counted on to replace the three former Razorbacks receivers (Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs) who were taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

Wade was also one of Arkansas’ top special teams’ players last season, averaging 25.6 yards per kickoff return and returning one kick 85 yards for a touchdown.

He was suspended for the Razorbacks’ game against South Carolina after being ejected for a late hit on a Vanderbilt punt returner, leveling the Commodores’ Jonathan Krause as he was looking up before he had the ball. Wade later apologized for the hit, but only after he was ejected and escorted off the field upon becoming animated.

The burglary case began after an Arkansas student reported on May 1 that her laptop had been stolen from her unlocked dorm room. Over the next seven days, police had a total of 10 reports of stolen items, including cash and DVDs, from four different dorm buildings.

The police reviewed security video from the dorms and said they observed Wade, Humphrey and Peterson walking the hallways, checking doors and entering rooms. Police also said a witness saw Peterson and Humphrey opening doors, and police said another witness identified Peterson as having been in her room.

Some of the stolen items were recovered from a bookstore near campus, along with in Peterson’s room, and the report said a store clerk identified the three as regularly selling used items.

Records from the Washington County Jail indicate the players have a court hearing on Monday. The records do not indicate whether they have attorneys.

Smith was hired April 23 to replace Petrino, and the former Michigan State and Louisville head coach had been an assistant at Arkansas before leaving in December to become the head coach at Weber State, his alma mater. He signed a 10-month, $850,000 contract with the Razorbacks, which allows Arkansas to retain its current coaching staff and pursue a long-term coaching solution.

Several Arkansas players were thrilled about Smith’s return, calling him a “players’ coach” and welcoming his personable attitude — a change from the tight-lipped Petrino.

After spring practice, Smith held a team meeting in which Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson said the coach addressed several “internal issues.”

Article source: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2012-05-12/Three-Razorback-football-players-charged-with-burglary/54922576/1

By BERNIE WILSON

The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — Thousands of fans got the chance to cheer one more time for Junior Seau at the stadium where he starred for 13 seasons.

The mother of the late Junior Seau, Luisa Seau, looks back during a public memorial service for the football player at Qualcomm Stadium, Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego. Junior committed suicide on May 2 at his Oceanside, Calif., home. He played parts of 20 seasons in the NFL, with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. (AP Photo/ Gregory Bull)

Former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson points upward during a public memorial service for the late NFL football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego. Seau committed suicide on May 2 at his Oceanside, Calif., home. He played parts of 20 seasons in the NFL, with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. (AP Photo/ Gregory Bull)

Tyler Seau, center, the son of Junior Seau, reacts to fans during a public memorial service for the late NFL football player Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium Friday, May 11, 2012, in San Diego. At rear are pastor Miles McPherson, left, San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos, second from right, his wife Susie Spanos, second from left, and Seau’s daughter, Sydney Seau. Seau committed suicide on May 2 at his Oceanside, Calif., home. He played parts of 20 seasons in the NFL, with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Hours after Seau was buried in his hometown Friday, a crowd estimated at 20,000 attended a public memorial service at Qualcomm Stadium for the hard-hitting, fist-pumping linebacker. Many wore Seau’s No. 55 — in Chargers blue, Southern California cardinal and gold and Miami Dolphins aqua and orange. One of Seau’s cousins wore a jersey combining the colors of all three of his pro teams, including the New England Patriots.

Former NFL safety John Lynch led a shout-out of “Buddy!” — Seau’s greeting to friends and strangers alike.

“I love it,” Lynch said.

“He was a good and loyal friend,” said former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson, who drew some of the biggest cheers of the night as he spoke. “Notice the words I said: good and loyal.”

Chargers President Dean Spanos made official what many had known since Seau left after the 2002 season, that No. 55 will never be worn by another Chargers player.

Among those attending were Seau’s parents, his former wife and their children, several current and former Chargers, and former rival John Elway. Elway, who now runs Denver’s front office, was accompanied by new Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and coach John Fox, a former assistant with San Diego.

Seau’s No. 55 was painted at midfield.

Seau committed suicide on May 2 at his Oceanside home. He played parts of 20 seasons in the NFL.

After a private funeral earlier Friday, Seau was buried at Eternal Hills cemetery.

Chargers chaplain Shawn Mitchell opened the service with a prayer.

“Junior, we don’t know if you can see this down here, but tonight’s your night.”

Said Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts: “Our paths never crossed on the field, but boy could we have used him with the offense of Air Coryell. I’m also glad I never had to play against him. I could just imagine the thought of him sacking me, then standing over me and dancing all over me.”

Someone yelled, “Ask Elway!”

Fouts called it a “classy move” for Elway, Manning and Fox to attend, and the crowd cheered.

Seau didn’t leave a suicide note.

“No doubt this is a tragedy,” Fouts said. “A tragedy for the community of San Diego, for Chargers fans and football fans everywhere. And with all tragedies, there are lessons to be learned, lessons that must be learned by all of us. The lesson here is, if you need help, get help. It’s out there. All you have to do is swallow your pride and ask for it. We all need help at times. We can all do a better job of helping each other.”

Former teammate Billy Ray Smith, a fellow linebacker, told the crowd: “I want to make sure you know, Junior Seau loved you guys; loved you all. I’m real sure that you loved No. 55 as well. Is that correct? He was a great friend a great teammate and I will miss him forever. Rest in peace.”

Bobby Ross, the only coach to get the Chargers to the Super Bowl, told a Seau “bounty” story from the 1990s, when Stan Humphries was throwing long passes during pregame warmups near the stands. One of the Raiders fans was dressed up in a garish football outfit that included shoulder pads and a helmet.

“I said, ‘Stan, what the hell’s going on?’” Ross said. “And he said, ‘I’ve got to tell you, coach, Junior told me if I hit that guy in the stands, he’d give me $1,000.’”

Ross recalled Seau’s many charitable contributions to the community.

“I don’t believe there’s a player who played in the National Football League who has done for a city what Junior Seau has done for San Diego,” Ross said.

“Junior, we know that you’re with our maker, up there with our heavenly father,” Ross added. “We know that. Look out for our guys who have also left. Look out for our guys.”

Ross then mentioned the other seven players from San Diego’s 1994 team who have died: David Griggs, Doug Miller, Rodney Culver, Chris Mims, Curtis Whitley, Shawn Lee and Lew Bush, as well as former equipment manager Sid Brooks.

Tomlinson recalled how impossible it was to block Seau during practice, and how it inspired him to lift weights.

“But lucky enough, he was on my team,” Tomlinson said to loud applause.

Tomlinson spoke directly to Seau’s parents, telling them: “Mama Seau, Papa Seau, it’s time for you to take a bow. Why? Because of everything that you instilled in Junior, and taught him and told him to go out and be happy and do happy, he did that. He instilled in everybody he touched, the things you taught him. So don’t be sad today, be happy because Junior lives through us every day in everything he’s touched.”

Then, reciting the names of Seau’s children, who were seated in the front row, Tomlinson said: “Go make your father proud. He’ll live through you. Thank you, Junior.”

___

May 12, 2012 03:26 AM EDT

Copyright 2012, The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Article source: http://www.ajc.com/sports/junior-seau-buried-in-1436112.html

Like many others long forgotten, Junior Seau began punishing his body playing college football.

(Getty Images)

Pay college football players? Not on my watch. That has been my opinion for years, and not one of those 51-49 kind of opinions — the ones where I can see both sides, but if I have to pick, I’ll pick the side opposed to paying college football players. Nope, not like that at all.

Pay college football players? I’ve been 100 percent against it. I can prove it, too. Read this story I wrote in September 2010 and tell me if you can detect even a smidgen of wiggle room. Bet you can’t.

Pay college football players? When pigs fly.

Or, tragically, when Junior Seau kills himself.

And then, just like that, I change my mind. Because — just like that — something occurs to me that had never occurred to me until now, until Seau’s suicide kick-started the conversation nationally about the damage football does to a man’s body, his brain, his psyche:

It’s not just NFL players who are at risk. College football players play football, too.

Danger in footballColumns

Related links

• Freeman: Kids must realize price old-timers paid
• Kirwan: Blame on both sides for damaged players
• RapidReports: NFL news | NCAA football updates
• N.C. doctors developing hand-held concussion test
• NFL veteran Bell retires, cites health concerns

As stupid as that last sentence looks, that’s how stupid I feel, frankly, for not grasping the stakes until now. Until a seemingly healthy, happy, well-adjusted Junior Seau — a few years away from being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — points a pistol at his chest and pulls the trigger. Whether football contributed to Seau’s ultimate decision, we don’t know. And for the sake of this story, it doesn’t matter.

Seau’s suicide got a lot of us thinking about the havoc football wreaks — got us thinking even more critically than we already were, I should say — and now it’s simply impossible for me to remain on the side that says college football players shouldn’t get paid.

And just so you know, the basis for my earlier assertion — that college players should not be paid — still stands. Right or wrong, I don’t care that coaches get rich while players get “only” a scholarship. From a fiscal standpoint I’m fine with that tradeoff, because players get a lot more than a scholarship. They get a different college experience than almost everyone else, a better college experience with a direct route to the classes they want, tutors, fame, fans. The life of a college football player? It’s a great life. If they’re being exploited, please, someone exploit me that way.

That was my position on the fiscal side, and it stands. And it stands for other sports, too. Pay other college athletes — basketball players, baseball, tennis? When pigs fly.

But on the gridiron side, it dawns on me that the issue of paying players is about something more important than the economics of college football. It’s about the long-term health of players, and as we all know, their long-term health is compromised.

Thing is, the physiological impact of football on college players is woefully underreported. We know what happens to NFL players, and it isn’t good. They crumble physically, unable to walk without a limp or pour from a gallon jug of milk. They suffer from dementia at rates anywhere from five to 19 times worse than the general population. They commit suicide, and they’re starting to do it in a way that preserves their brain for future study, as if to say, “This wasn’t my fault.”

Football is brutal on the men who play in the NFL. This, we know.

But what does it do to college players? This, we don’t know — and I know why. College football players come in two forms: Those who advance to the NFL and those who don’t. Those who advance to the NFL? Their health issues are attributed solely to the NFL, as if none of the damage occurred in college, which is unrealistic.

As for the other category, the ones who don’t become pros, we simply don’t pay attention to what happens to them — and you know I’m right. A former college player ceases to exist, for the most part, to you and me. After four years of playing in front of thousands of fans, those guys live the rest of their lives with as much fanfare as the rest of us, which is to say, no fanfare at all. A middle-aged man is diagnosed with dementia or suffers from congestive heart failure or commits suicide. If that man played college football 15 years ago at Akron or Colorado State, does it make a headline?

No. Of course not.

Which means we just don’t know what college football does to the young men who play it, but I can guess. So can you. And my guess is, college football hurts these guys — forever — more than we realize. Not because we don’t care, but because, well … no, it is because we don’t care.

It’s time to care.

And it’s time to pay these guys. It’s one thing for them to sacrifice their free time to make a multimillionaire of their head coach. It’s something else for them to sacrifice their brains and bodies for the same cause. And to sacrifice so much for so little? That’s ghastly. Pay up, college football administrators. Pay your players. Everyone pays a price for your sport — some more than others.

Article source: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/19015516/college-football-players-risk-their-brains-too-so-its-time-to-pay-them