ATNN SEC COACHES: STEP INTO SLY’S DEAD LETTER OFFICE The website POLITICS AND SPORTS has a great post today about Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom, who is the most deserving of all the college coach of the year candidates (sorry Zooker and Azamat).

And as Croom basks in the glow of MSU’s astonishing season, he also leaves in his wake the strewn wreckage of SEC coaching careers.

Excerpt: “Croom may be the most feared man in the history of Southern college football. The affable head coach at Mississippi State University has been responsible for the firing of at least three (SEC) football coaches.

“Croom has not reported these coaches’ infractions to the NCAA nor has he highlighted any personal indiscretions these coaches have committed. All Croom has done is to win football games against the teams coached by the ‘Croom Three’.”

The three:

1) Ron Zook (Florida)
2) Mike Shula (Alabama)
3) Eddy O. (Ole Miss)
4) Nick Saban (Alabama)

OLE MISS SWIPES SUPER 8 STUFF & MOTEL 6 MERCHANDISE: Better be careful when Ole Miss comes town. While the Rebels won’t likely steal a win, they will steal your pillows:

The JACKSON CLARION-LEDGER checks out news that 20 members of the Mississippi football team have been put on probation for stealing pillows and radios from team hotels.No wonder Ole Miss has been playing so soft all year. The Rebels’ down season will finally be put to rest on Friday, when they get smothered by Mississippi State.

AD Pete Boone said that since the items were paid back for by the players, there wouldn’t be NCAA violations. And the accused appear to be OK to play against the Bulldogs.

But this latest round-up means that at least 25% of the Rebel program has gotten into some sort of legal trouble this season.

When first hired, head coach Ed Orgeron declared he would put a fence around Memphis. Now the staff might want to put a fence around the practice field, just to keep their kids out of trouble - or have them get used to prison.