Drew Edwards, Knoxville News-Sentinel: The price of putting together Tennessee's staff continues to skyrocket. Strength coach Mark Smith will earn $190,000 and David Reaves, will earn $150,000. Reaves, who is Lane Kiffin's brother-in-law, has not yet been assigned a position. Kiffin's father, Monte, is expected to make $1 million as defensive coordinator. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, no relation to the Kiffins, is expected to be paid $600,000.
Joseph Schiefelbein, Baton Rouge Advocate: Quarterback Andrew Hatch, who started Louisiana State's first three games in 2008, has left the team.
Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel: The Bowl for the Cure, which hopes to gain certification from the NCAA in April, already has reached an agreement with Conference USA and is negotiating with other conferences to send a second team to the game.
Sandra Baker, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Tom Starr, executive director of the Armed Forces Bowl, said reports suggesting that the game, pitting teams from the Mountain West Conference and Conference USA, will leave Fort Worth and head to Dallas’ Cotton Bowl are simply not true.
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times: USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is leaving a year early to chase his dream of playing in the NFL.
Scott Wolf, Los Angeles Daily News: USC coach Pete Carroll was extremely ungracious during the Sanchez press conference. He stormed out of the room and did not even sit at the table before Sanchez addressed the media.
J. David, Sports Union: Hello and goodbye Sanchez, it was good to know you.
Jon Solomon, Birmingham News: The odds of the American Football Coaches Association succeeding with its proposal for an early signing period don't appear good.
Brian Cook, MGoBlog: The lines of defense have gone up in Big Ten country after another dismal postseason performance.
Ben Volin, Palm Beach Post: Percy Harvin is leaving Florida and will enter the NFL draft. Linebacker Brandon Spikes is returning.
Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech receiver Todd Walker, who has a year of eligibility remaining, has decided to give up the sport and attend dental school.
Tim May, Columbus Dispatch: Cornerback Donald Washington became the third Ohio State underclassmen to declare himself eligible for the upcoming NFL draft.
Scott Wolf's assessment of the situation on his blog is incorrect for people that watched the entire presser. Of course Wolf showed up late so all he saw was the end. He is seriously the biggest POS beat reporter any team and fans have to suffer through.
Posted by: Bruce | January 15, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Couldn't disagree more with the post above in regards to Carroll's press conference meltdown. For a coach who's "never had a bad day" Pete reacted very poorly to a player that has given 4 years to USC and stands to graduate. Maybe Pete was so upset because next year USC has to play the second game at Ohio State with a young defense and Mitch Mustain as his starting QB.
Maybe Pete should blow off the steam by breaking up a gang fight in south central.
Posted by: T-Bone | January 15, 2009 at 02:34 PM