Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun: Maryland's Ralph Friedgen says he might want to stay on as coach past the three years remaining on his contract, complicating coach-in-waiting plans the school has for offensive coordinator James Franklin, who will be paid $1 million if he is not elevated to head coach by Jan. 2, 2012.
Andrew Carter, Orlando Sentinel: Florida State has filed another rebuttal with the NCAA, arguing that forfeiting 14 victories from Bobby Bowden's record because of an academic fraud scandal is "excessive." The university described as "woefully inadequate" the NCAA Committee on Infractions' rational that led to the disputed penalty.
Ray Melick, Birmingham News: Former Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith didn't know there was more than one Bloomington. The first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals agreed to help out at a lineman's camp at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, Ill. He ended up in Bloomington, Ind., home of the University of Indiana. Thirty-six hours later, he finally arrived at the right Bloomington.
Cyndee Fontana, Matt James and John Ellis, Fresno Bee: Alphonso Bigelow, the former Fresno State player who promised $10 million to the university, says he is being unfairly "demonized" in public discussion of his surprise pledge. "I've heard everything from that I have a girlfriend, to I'm conning people out of money," he said. "I heard I'm doing a Ponzi scheme. And the only thing I'm trying to do is give money."
Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Hawaii's football program had a $3,169,500 million profit last fiscal year while women's basketball lost $1.05 million.
Paul Strelow, Columbia State: Clemson has experienced a 12% decline in season-ticket sales, which school officials pin almost exclusively on the nation’s economic downturn. Corporate sponsorships could wind up down by at least $500,000, and contributions to IPTAY — the athletic department’s fundraising arm — are down an estimated $1.4 million.
C.L. Brown, Louisville Courier-Journal: Louisville's season ticket sales are off by more than 6,000. Steve Kragthorpe is 11-13 in his two seasons as coach and construction is under way to expanded Papa John's Cardinal Stadium by 13,000 seats for the 2010 season.
Drew Edwards, Knoxville News-Sentinel: The father of 13-year-old Evan Berry says a "reporter" from Rivals got the story wrong about the soon-to-be eighth grader giving a commitment to Tennessee.
Ryan Kartje, Michigan Daily: Department of Rumors: Michigan could be looking to play Georgia to open the 2010 season in Ann Arbor. Thanks to Ben Maller.
Rich Kaipust, Omaha World-Herald: Nebraska will celebrate its record sellout streak when it reaches 300 on Sept. 26 against Louisiana Lafayette by wearing throwback uniforms from 1962, the year the streak started.
Jeremy Fowler, Orlando Sentinel: Florida starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins accepted a plea deal for resisting arrest without violence and will be put on probation for six months. He also must pay the $50 cost of prosecution and either contribute $150 to a charitable organization or serve 15 hours of community service.
The Quad: Paul Myerberg takes a look at No. 62 Fresno State.
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I don't the the Terp alum are going to want Fridge to stick around 3 years if that. He's been a good coach, but not that good.
And Andre Smith.....sheshshshs.
Posted by: hokieg - virginia tech backpack | July 02, 2009 at 04:58 PM