Rachel Bachman, Oregonian: The Oregon Legislature plans to introduce a bill this week that would require universities to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring a head football coach. If it passes, Oregon would become the first state with such a law.
Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: South Florida's Jim Leavitt finally found his defensive coordinator, hiring former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Jim Tresey. Tresey was the first person Leavitt interviewed for the post but he was not offered the job until Tuesday, after Iowa State secondary coach Chris Ash declined an offer to be a co-coordinator.
Libby Sander, Chronicle of Higher Education: Peter Likins, a former president of the University of Arizona and longtime critic of uncontrolled athletics spending, says the country's economic turmoil will likely force changes in the finances of of athletics departments for years to come.
Tom Oates, Wisconsin State Journal: In these times of tight budgets, Wisconsin needs to change its rules on coaching bonuses. How can Bret Bielema qualify for a $100,000 exceptional-achievement bonus after going 7-6 and making the fifth of seven Big Ten-affiliated bowl games?
Dan Hinxman, Reno Gazette-Journal: Coaches from Indiana and Kansas were in Reno this week to study Nevada's Pistol offense.
Brian Christopherson, Lincoln Journal Star: Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne says he is in the process of reworking Bo Pelini's contract. Pelini's current deal pays him $1.1 million a year, which ranks 11th among Big 12 coaches.
The Big Lead: Is ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper an excellent evaluator of talent, or just a good talker? A look back at a few gems from his 2005 draft grades. It's not good.
Robbi Pickeral, ACC Now: Would North Carolina's Butch Davis take a paycut to help bring relief to a budget crisis at the university? His answer, in a nutshell: his program is trying to find a way to make cuts; he gives back to the community, the university and his church; that's a better question for the university's leadership to face.
Washington Post: Maryland officials released a statement in response to the Post's story on the school's relationship with sports apparel company Under Armour. "Our business relationship with Under Armour, as the department's exclusive apparel provider, is a relationship common throughout collegiate athletics," the statement said.
Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Under Armour and Hawaii officials say the first seven months of their football apparel contract has been a "glowing" exception to the economic downturn.
Chuck Carlton, Dallas Morning News: Texas' Mack Brown, Ohio State's Jim Tressel, Mississippi's Houston Nutt, Air Force's Troy Calhoun, UCLA's Slick Rick Neuheisel and former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville will visit U.S. military bases and personnel in the Middle East later this year.
Ian R. Rapoport, Birmingham News: ESPN will televise Alabama's spring scrimmage on April 18.
Newark Star-Ledger: Rutgers dismissed junior receiver Dennis Campbell from the team for a violation of team policy. He had 25 receptions for 307 yards and a touchdown in his Scarlet Knight career.
Chip Towers, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia has promoted John Jancek to co-defensive coordinator. The promotion comes after Jancek turned down an offer to become defensive coordinator at South Florida.
San Francisco Business Times: Former Oakland A's executive Sandy Alderson is a front-runner among candidates being considered to run the Pacific 10 Conference.
Austin Ward, Casper Star-Tribune: New Wyoming coach Dave Christensen is a man of the people, winning over larger-than-usual crowds during a month of barnstorming around the region.
Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: There will be no price increase on season tickets at Iowa. Fans will also have the option of paying for their purchase over three months.
Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Season-ticket packages for Pittsburgh will cost $10 more this year, but there is one additional home game (seven instead of six), meaning the actual price per ticket is less even though the total price of the package is more.
Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel: Central Florida will charge a $5 entry fee for its spring game.
FanBlogs: The 2009 Federal College Football Bailout and Stimulus Act.
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