12:15 PM An Illinois congressman introduced a measure to rename a Wrigleyville post office after Steve Goodman, the musician who wrote & performed "Go Cubs Go" and "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request". Goodman died in 1984 at the age of 36 after a long battle with leukemia.
I haven’t confirmed that Tuberville has been hired, but wouldn’t doubt it. In fact, I predicted Tuberville would be hired a week ago.
Tuberville would Mike Leach, who was fired by Tech after a complaint from the son of ESPN’s Craig James, Tech wide receiver Adam James.
Earlier this week I reported that Tech would hire Art Briles for the job, and sources told me at the time that Briles had been offered the job. After Tech offered Briles, Baylor donors ponied up an extension that included a second raise in less than a week for Briles. Briles now has a seven-year deal with Baylor.
Sources close to the Baylor Administration confirmed to me today that Bears Coach Art Briles will be hired as Texas Tech’s next football coach
(Briles attended Tech and was assistant under Leach)
Contrary to previous reports, there is indeed a 10-day waiting period that Tech officials must observe before hiring Briles, but one of my sources told me the move is a “done deal.”
But Lubbock radio and TV personality Chris Levelreports this afternoon that, “Tech is going to talk to Tuberville next and after talking to Tommy earlier he’s more than ready for the phone call when it comes.”
Level is also the proprietor of RedRaiderSports.com.
Dwain Price of the FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM reports that earlier today Ruffin McNeill had an informal visit with the same folks who jettisoned Michael Leach from the school:
Interim Texas Tech football coach Ruffin McNeill had an informal interview Monday morning with school president Guy Bailey and chancellor Kent Hance.
Pete Christy of KCBD-TV in Lubbock also reports that McNeill talked to the Tech admin, and that chat included Athletic Director Gerald Myers.
So besides Tuberville and McNeill, who else is in the mix, and who isn’t?
David Cross once said, “The South has a certain kind of ignorance that is deeper and truer, more unwavering and steadfast in ignorance than the rest of the country has. And just for a lack of a better term, let’s call it Southern Baptist.” While we’d never criticize another man’s religion - if God tells you to do something, y’know, you do it - there’s few places where the Southern Baptists roll thicker than Alabama.
(”‘Forever and ever, Amen.’ Very good. Now, let us pray.”)
That, then, takes us to Auburn, the scene of much tumult over the last year or so. Before Gene Chiziknearly caused a riot by taking the reins of the program, there was another controversial addition to the coaching staff: offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Franklin was tasked with bringing the spread to the Auburn offense, a move that failed so spectacularly that he was canned seven games into his Auburn career. Franklin finally talked about his time there to the MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, and sweet bearded Moses, do they ever like to pray: Read more…
When Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville“resigned” last week under extreme pressure from school officials, one would imagine that the Auburn athletic department had a plan in place to go forward. Perhaps a list of potential candidates with a can’t-miss option or two. Really, the one thing you want to avoid at all costs is a coach who’s noticeably worse than the one being replaced. Like, oh, I don’t know… ISU’s Gene Chizik.
Yes, according to CYCLONEREPORT.COM, the Iowa State affiliate of RIVALS.COM, Gene Chizik will be the Tigers’ next coach. Chizik, mind you, went 2-10 last season at ISU, including a perfect-in-its-own-lousy-way 0-8 in Big XII play. That pushed his career record to 5-19, which has got to be one of the worst NCAA marks in decades. And Auburn freaking hired him.
But was the biggest salesman in this deal Iowa State’s own athletic director? Read more…
World Series MVP Cole Hamels is currently doing some radio promotion for the Phillies championship DVD. But what the heck was he doing on New York’s WFAN yesterday? There’s no city that’s more excited about buying a Phillies DVD. Anyway, during the interview, Hamels was asked whether or not the Mets are “choke artists” for their last two September collapses. Hamels, of course, said “no, they’re a very good team and things just didn’t work out for them in the end. They’ll be tough to beat next year.”
“Last year and this year I think we did believe that [they were choke artists],” he said. “Three years ago we didn’t because they smoked everybody, and I think we all thought they were going to win it all. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. But, yeah, that’s kind of what we believed and I think we’re always going to believe that until they prove us wrong.
Ouch. Hamels also relayed this anecdote:
He also said that the rumor that the Phillies hung a photo of Jose Reyes on Shane Victorino’s locker after he celebrated a little too much after a home run in the NLDS against CC Sabathia of the Brewers is true.
“Hey Shane, this doesn’t win the game, there’s still a lot of game to play. Why are you trying to be like Jose Reyes? Even though you hit a big home run you don’t need to pimp it,” he said.
This rivalry’s never been friendlier.
(Is this excessive for celebrating a 6-4-3 in an April game against the Nats?)
We don’t do a lot of hockey recaps here, but good lord Islanders, please stop somebody. The Isles were pounded 9-2 by Pittsburgh last night, even drawing the embarrassing “We want 10! We want 10!” chant from the Igloo crowd in the 3rd period. The Isles are now tied with Tampa Bay and Atlanta at the bottom of the league.
Speaking of the Lightning, let’s start there in the links:
• Larry Brown welcomes Boris Diaw and Raja Bell aboard by informing them that the Bobcats suck (via NESW SPORTS):
• NEWSDAY says Manny Ramirezis sad because nobody wants to sign him, and is threatening to retire. Not surprisingly Manny is spending his off season “working out, watching cartoons and playing video games.” Give that man $25 million a year!
• Syracuse has hired Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone to be their new head coach. Marrone has never been a head coach at any level. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TALK has the details.
• According to BUCS BEAT, Jeff Garcia’s calf injury isn’t getting any better and he might not play this Sunday. That leaves you with Luke McCown, Bucs fans.
• Chicago Bulls “Luvabull” Ashley Bond is this year’s Miss Illinois USA, taking over the title from fellow Luvabull Shannon Lersch. WITH LEATHER provides the story and the photo:
• Terrell Owens is back on the crazy train again. Now, it seems as if he’s jealous of the relationship between Tony Romo and Jason Witten. FANHOUSE breaks down the insanity.
As you’re probably aware by now, Tommy Tubervillewas unceremoniously canned by Auburn administrators “resigned” Wednesday, right on the heels of a positively horrific 2008 campaign. With his departure went his assistants’ jobs, but according to wives of two of those assistants, they were never informed by Auburn, finding out only through the press.
(”Hey, you know that recruiting trip I sent you on? Things seem to have changed a bit.”)
• WALKOFF WALK finds L.A. columnists T.J. Simers and Bill Plaschke taking alternate routes in directing their anger at the Dodgers’ NLCS woes.
• LARRY BROWN SPORTS hikes up Tennessee’s only good highlight from their weekend loss to Georgia - the Vols’ Eric Berryflattening Bulldogs RB Knowshon Moreno.
The COLUMBUS (GA) LEDGER-ENQUIRER ten-huts, as five college football coaches will be making a special trip to visit recruits - of the Armed Forces.
Georgia’s Mark Richt, Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville, Notre Dame’s Charlie Weis, Miami’s Randy Shannon, and Yale’s Jack Siedlecki will be meeting & greeting with troops stationed in the Middle East.
