Jeff Metcalfe, Arizona Republic: Arizona State's Dennis Erickson, who turns 63 on March 24, said he would like to coach five or six more years. He is under contract through 2012. "I'll coach as long as I feel I'm a benefit to this university and to this football program. That's my last legacy." Erickson said the Sun Devils will run a no-huddle, spread offense this fall under new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone.
Sam Mellinger, Kansas City Star: Would it be wise for the Big 12 to launch its own network? Perhaps not. While the payoff for the Big Ten has been worth it, the Big 12 faces a different challenge. The Big Ten covers 28% of the nation’s television households, the SEC 26%, and the Big 12 only 16%.
Get The Picture: Here's the latest legal move involving former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach in his lawsuit against the university. Attorneys for Leach have subpoenaed documents from Frenship Independent School District in Southwest Lubbock County. They are seeking any correspondence between F.I.S.D. and Texas Tech University and/or Tech's new coach, Tommy Tuberville. Court documents imply that Leach's legal team is interested in any conversations about enrolling members of the Tuberville family in the school district and the timing of those conversations.
Lee Davidson, Deseret News: Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) sent a letter to the Bowl Championship Series requesting greater public disclosure of the organization's finances and procedures. One of the requests is for disclosure on the payment made to Ari Fleischer for media and public relations services. Thanks to Playoff PAC.
Jenna Laine, Sports Fan Live: Tony Washington, a registered sex offender who played at Abilene Christian, is hoping to be selected in the NFL draft after an impressive performance at the combine. In May 2003, Washington was convicted of having sex with a relative that multiple NFL and college sources say was his 15-year old biological sister. The act was consensual, according to his college coaches and two NFL scouts, who spoke to him about the incident.
Adriana Gómez Licón, El Paso Times: Texas El Paso students will vote this week on an athletic department fee of $240 a year to help financially troubled sports programs. The increase could come in addition to a tuition hike the University of Texas Board of Regents approved last week. UTEP will already see tuition increase from $6,288 to $6,568 per year in fall 2010, and to $6,948 in fall 2011.
Jake Trotter, Oklahoman: Former Oklahoma linebacker Mike Balogun, who was de-certified by the NCAA last August and missed the 2009 season, said he is planning to seek monetary damages from the NCAA.
Richard Sandomir, New York Times: The first Pinstripe Bowl will be played at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 30 and will be televised by ESPN. It will feature the No. 3 team in the Big East and the No. 6 team from the Big 12, excluding Bowl Championship Series participants.
Randy Riggs, Austin American-Statesman: The NCAA granted Texas and Maryland a one-year reprieve from a new rule that limits off-campus recruiting by a coach designated as the head coach-in-waiting.
Brandon George, Dallas Morning News: Texas A&M Commerce coach Guy Morriss apologized to the university and to the editor of the campus newspaper for his team's involvement in the Feb. 25 theft of the publication's entire press run.
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