Michael Lev, Orange County Register: USC coach Pete Carroll said he and the school went through "all the proper channels" in hiring a special-teams consultant last season.
"We've documented it," he said. "The topic has just come up because
there's an article on it. We dealt with this thing way back when to do
it properly and do it the right way." Carroll said consultant Pete Rodriguez was paid by the school but declined to discuss further details of the arrangement.
Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel: Coaches pay at big-time programs continues to skyrocket despite the economic slump. A look at the salaries of all head coaches in Division I-A. Alabama will spend more for its 10-member staff this fall than 32 Division I-A teams from outside Bowl Championship Series leagues spent operating their entire programs in 2007. Plus, a look at Mountain West teams versus BCS opponents since 2005. The MWC is 29-32 (47.5%), with 34 of the games played at the BCS opponent's stadium (55.7%).
Jon Solomon, Birmingham News: The idea for the Southeastern Conference's new digital network, set to launch Aug. 27, comes straight out of iTunes but with a football twist. Viewing the content is expected to be free. Downloading it or ordering a DVD will cost money, creating a new revenue stream for the league, which negotiated its copyright away from ESPN and CBS in the latest TV rights deals. Plus, the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Pacific 10 will look into the possibility of creating a single national channel.
Bud Withers, Seattle Times: New Pacific 10 commissioner Larry Scott is shrugging off the fixation over East Coast bias and promoting the league's "West Coast advantage" in places like Beijing and Shanghai.
Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: Former San Diego State coach Chuck Long has recommended the school increase the number of special admits for athletics, reduce academic requirements for transfers and move players to the Cuicacalli Suites, a fashionable on-campus residence that includes a pool and grill. It's part of a 23-page report Long produced as part of his new on-campus job doing special projects. Long was fired as coach in November, but his contract called for him to be reassigned at SDSU, making $715,900 per year, until Dec. 31, 2010. Thanks to Mike.
Joe Ovies, 850 The Blog: Bobby Bowden suggests he wants 22 victories from when he was coach at South Georgia Junior College added to his career win total.
Jared Eborn, Deseret News: Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson: "The history that the WAC has had and the tradition that the WAC has had is what still allows us to claim that we're more recognizable than the Mountain West."
Stephen Tsai, Honolulu Advertiser: The WAC is in survival mode. Even Boise State is feeling the economic crunch. Coach Chris Petersen said recently that his equipment manager wanted to make a $75 purchase. "We're not going to get it," Petersen said. "We don't have $75."
Dan Hinxman, Reno Gazette-Journal: The WAC is looking to strengthen its ties with the Poinsettia Bowl. The Humanitarian Bowl is still looking for a new league partner after the ACC ended its affiliation with the Boise-based bowl.
Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News: After an off-season marked by a nasty contract negotiation and a mini-war of words with Texas A&M's Mike Sherman, Texas Tech's Mike Leach took center stage at Big 12 media-day interviews.
Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star: He's adamantly opposed to making Jerry Jones' new $1.2 billion playpen the permanent home of the Big 12 championship game.
Doug Roberson, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Tony Barnhart will host a weekly one-hour television show this fall on the CBS College Sports Network.
Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star: Athletic department websites were once a dumping ground for rosters, scores and team photos, but some universities have found another revenue stream with subscription-based video.
Jake Trotter, Oklahoman: Bad blood continues to boil in the Oklahoma-Texas feud.
Ken Tysiac, ACC Now: North Carolina State coach Tom O'Brien dislikes playing rival North Carolina in the final game of the regular season. O'Brien says teams from the Atlantic and Coastal divisions should not meet in the final week because of the possibility they could end up playing again in the ACC's title game.
Scott Wolf, Los Angeles Daily News: USC freshman linebacker Frankie Telfort's college career ended before it began after doctors discovered a genetic heart condition that prevents him from playing football. He will remain on scholarship.
Arkansas Online: Former USC running back Broderick Green will be eligible to play this fall for Arkansas.
David Brandt, Clarion-Ledger: The attorney for Mississippi signee Jamar Hornsby said it appears his client will be indicted Friday on charges of felony aggravated assault and petit larceny.
Kevin Cirilli, Daily Collegian: Penn State senior offensive tackle Ako Poti and linebacker recruit Glenn Carson were cited for alcohol offenses.
Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman: Boise State defensive tackle Michael Atkinson will be suspended for at least three games. He was arrested earlier this month on a DUI charge.
The Quad: Paul Myerberg takes a look at No. 34 Rutgers.
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Jeez, so many articles today that serve as mounting evidence that roughly 30 schools need to drop out of NCAA Division I-A.
Posted by: bevo | July 30, 2009 at 04:21 PM
It has been a busy week with all the media days around the country. Should slow down next week, then crank up the following week with the opening of fall camps.
Posted by: The Wiz | July 30, 2009 at 04:39 PM