Because Buzz Bissinger and I are Twitter pals,* I have learned that Gary Gaines, who was made famous through Bissinger’s novel “Friday Night Lights,” is returning to be the head football coach at Odessa-Permian High in Texas after 19 seasons.

Gaines, the coach at the center of Bissinger’s book who is also depicted in the NBC [...]

• How great was Monday night’s NFL showdown between the Cowboys & Eagles? Great enough to be the most-watched cable TV program ever!

Only gratuitous in-game shots of Jessica Simpson could have raised higher ratings – among other things.
• Let’s see if we can figure out this whole MLB postseason mess.
• Meanwhile, how can Major League [...]

ESQUIRE this month has a mammoth puff piece on Lebron James, which also documents the man steering his marketing career: James’ childhood friend Maverick Carter.

(Lebron & Buzz to collaborate, embrace?)
After firing venerable NBA agent Aaron Goodwin, who landed James a $90M deal with Nike, the Cavaliers star handed all of his biz interests to [...]

• The WALTHAM DAILY NEWS TRIBUNE vaults up news of Olympic gymnast Alicia Sacramone receiving a hero’s welcome from the proud citizens of her Massachusetts hometown.

• WITH LEATHER wants Redskins TE Chris Cooley to explain what he was doing at a Backstreet Boys concert.
• CAT CRAVE claws up a nice chat with Panthers RB Stephen [...]

Arash Markazi of SI.com and FAN NATION has the easily the only most interesting thing to come out of the ESPYs, which was taped I think sometime in February – and aired on ESPN for the first time last night. (And subsequently re-broadcast an upchuck-inducing 10,000 times today.).

Markazi notes that host Justin Timberlake “was teasing [...]

• Carson Palmer admits that Ohio State Buckeye fans really drive him nuts.

• Not satisfied with cussing out Will Leitch, Buzz Bissinger gets into a scuffle with NCAA security over camera issues at the College World Series.
• Sooner State NBA fans, get ready to roll with the Oklahoma City Thunder!
• U.S. Olympians are trying to [...]

Buzz Bissinger has gotten the business end from bloggers and many others after his lashing out at former DEADSPIN editor Will Leitch on “Costas NOW” a while back. But, in a guest op-ed written for the NEW YORK TIMES, we can actually sympathize a bit with the “Friday Night Lights” author, for the one thing [...]

• DEADSPIN finds Will Leitch taking care of some last-minute business by having a chat with sports blog nemesis Buzz Bissinger.

• Michael David Smith of FANHOUSE has an interview with freshly-minted DEADSPIN Editor A.J. Daulerio. (that was fast!)
• Neil Best of NEW YORK NEWSDAY presents a classic clip of the late George Carlin talking baseball [...]

• Inspired by very special “Saved By The Bell” episode, Clay Travis of CBS SPORTS suggest sports bloggers & the mainstream media end their feud once & for all with a quiz bowl showdown.

(Buzz Bissinger & Will Leitch butt heads in a Battle of Brawny Brains! With special guest referee – Mr. Belding! [OK, maybe [...]

• ESPN anchors Josh Elliott & Stan Verrett really enjoyed the amusing moniker we bestowed upon new free agent Gilbert Arenas:
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Mucho gracias to AWFUL ANNOUNCING for the video.
• Darren Rovell of CNBC reads up on mortal enemies Buzz Bissinger & Will Leitch giving back-cover kudos on the same book.
• WITH LEATHER punches up video [...]