((HT: WLEX-TV/KBTX-TV))
Mark Stoops was able to do something that his successors have not been able to do- actually beat an SEC opponent for the first time in almost 1,100 days...
The Wildcats knocked off Vanderbilt (who are looking to be a really bad football team, by the way) in Lexington- even as a favored program heading into Saturday.
Strangely, fans would like to see the stands at Commonwealth Stadium more-filled than they currently are...
Just ask them...
On the flip side, the HQ would like to know what Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema was thinking in overtime running to the right on a 4th and 2 when he needed a first down to keep the period moving- and your running game was non-existent.
You had your chance, Arkansas, and you flat blew it.
"A lot of things that caused us to lose this game today came from within our locker room," Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema said postgame. "Our third edge we talk about is playing clean, and that means playing penalty-free. ... The good news is we can correct those things. Our guys did several things throughout the course of the game to get excited about. But obviously, not enough to close it."
Here's your local look...
Showing posts with label Vanderbilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vanderbilt. Show all posts
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Ole Miss Running Back Jaylen Walton Almost Has His Face Mask Ripped Completely Off
Vanderbilt's Nigel Bowden grabbed the face mask of Ole Miss running back Jaylen Walton and almost tore it completely off Walton's helmet.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Vandy News: 3 Footballers Wouldn't Have Made Academics, Went To Happy Valley
((HT: The Dirty South Sports Report))
Here's another round from contributor Jackson Martin and paragraph 2 is the more interesting part...
The biggest news out of the AD office today is that Vanderbilt has offers from three different BCS schools to play a future home and home series with the Commodores. A potential matchup with Stanford — new Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason’s former employer — is the most exciting possibility by far, but some fans would rather see less successful programs in Georgia Tech or Boston College on the schedule. Vanderbilt has never played Stanford in football, but has played Boston College three times (most recently defeating the Eagles in the 2008 Music City Bowl) and former SEC-member Georgia Tech 37 times (most recently in 2009).
Another potentially shocking story comes from our source who says, ”Three of the six recruits that Franklin ‘stole’ from Vandy were denied admission on academic grounds.” What isn’t known is the timeline here: did the recruits flip and then were denied by the school, or did they flip because they were denied?
Our source also told us, “DW and all SEC ADs are opposed to 9 game SEC schedule. Some coaches are in favor.” That’s unfortunate news to this writer, who would be in favor of adding an extra conference game so that teams don’t see non-rivals from the opposite division only once every six years.
A small bit of uniform-centric news: the team will not have names on the back of the jerseys in the fall. Former head coach Bobby Johnson was a big believer in the “team-first” mentality and didn’t have names on the jerseys either, though Franklin did put the names on the uniforms during his tenure.
Dime Store Analysis:
The HQ isn't all that shocked that coaches would have their prospects flip from old school to new school, but the timing will turn out to be interesting...
John Stuetz from the Daily Collegian detailed some of the flippers around National Signing Day and it included OL Chance Sorrell and Ashburn, Virginia QB Trace McSorely.
The others, according to the Collegian, are Tampa-Gaither DB Amani Oruwariye, The Lovett School (Atlanta) CB Grant Haley, and Park Ridge, Illinois OT Brendan Brosnan. LB Troy Reeder from Wilmington-Salesianum out of Delaware had an offer from Vandy as well.
Here's Franklin addressing his NSD2014 with the media...
((HT: Centre Daily Times))
Here's another round from contributor Jackson Martin and paragraph 2 is the more interesting part...
The biggest news out of the AD office today is that Vanderbilt has offers from three different BCS schools to play a future home and home series with the Commodores. A potential matchup with Stanford — new Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason’s former employer — is the most exciting possibility by far, but some fans would rather see less successful programs in Georgia Tech or Boston College on the schedule. Vanderbilt has never played Stanford in football, but has played Boston College three times (most recently defeating the Eagles in the 2008 Music City Bowl) and former SEC-member Georgia Tech 37 times (most recently in 2009).
Another potentially shocking story comes from our source who says, ”Three of the six recruits that Franklin ‘stole’ from Vandy were denied admission on academic grounds.” What isn’t known is the timeline here: did the recruits flip and then were denied by the school, or did they flip because they were denied?
Our source also told us, “DW and all SEC ADs are opposed to 9 game SEC schedule. Some coaches are in favor.” That’s unfortunate news to this writer, who would be in favor of adding an extra conference game so that teams don’t see non-rivals from the opposite division only once every six years.
A small bit of uniform-centric news: the team will not have names on the back of the jerseys in the fall. Former head coach Bobby Johnson was a big believer in the “team-first” mentality and didn’t have names on the jerseys either, though Franklin did put the names on the uniforms during his tenure.
Dime Store Analysis:
The HQ isn't all that shocked that coaches would have their prospects flip from old school to new school, but the timing will turn out to be interesting...
John Stuetz from the Daily Collegian detailed some of the flippers around National Signing Day and it included OL Chance Sorrell and Ashburn, Virginia QB Trace McSorely.
The others, according to the Collegian, are Tampa-Gaither DB Amani Oruwariye, The Lovett School (Atlanta) CB Grant Haley, and Park Ridge, Illinois OT Brendan Brosnan. LB Troy Reeder from Wilmington-Salesianum out of Delaware had an offer from Vandy as well.
Here's Franklin addressing his NSD2014 with the media...
((HT: Centre Daily Times))
Monday, January 13, 2014
Jackson Martin: And, Now, The Search Begins...
((HT: Dirty South Sports Report))
James Franklin is gone. Now, Vanderbilt Athletic Director David Williams must scramble to find a new head coach in time to salvage what remains of the 2014 recruiting class. Fortunately, Franklin left the program in much better shape than when he arrived and Williams has a plethora of viable, interested candidates to choose from.
We never actually know what’s going on in a coaching search until an offer is made, but let’s go ahead and examine the candidates anyways:
The Top Two:
We know, via various reports and sources, that these two coaches have been contacted and are being pursued by Vanderbilt for the opening. Both are likely to interview this week and will be the top choices for David Williams.
Chad Morris- Clemson Offensive Coordinator
Morris is a rising star in the coaching ranks, having been named Rivals.com Offensive Coordinator of the Year in 2011 and leading Clemson to the ninth-best scoring offense in the country this season. He is only 45, but is already the highest paid assistant coach in the country. Morris was formerly the offensive coordinator at Tulsa (following co-offensive coordinators Herb Hand and Gus Malzahn) and has put up points in all of his seasons as an OC. If you’re looking for a comparison to a current head coach, Morris reminds many of Gus Malzahn — who was offered the Vanderbilt head job in 2010 and reportedly accepted before changing his mind.
Morris has recruited the South extensively and is an offensive genius, making him an excellent fit for the head job in Nashville. He’s also a personal favorite of mine because he wears visors and speaks exactly like Steve Spurrier:
((HT: tigernetdotcom))
The concern with Morris is that he’ll leave again in a few years to take a bigger job. Given the way Franklin just exited that’s a realistic fear, but my thoughts are that if the new coach does a good enough job to leave for a bigger job then the Vanderbilt program will again be in a better place. Maybe ten jobs in the country are “destination jobs” and Vanderbilt likely never will be one. Almost any coach who views Vanderbilt as a destination job is one who will settle and that’s not who the Commodores want.
Morris is my top choice for the job because the Commodores have proven that you can build a good defense with a solid coordinator hire, but Vanderbilt needs an explosive offense to “take the next step” and become truly competitive in the SEC. Morris, like if Malzahn had been hired three years ago, will certainly bring that to Nashville. My ideal scenario would have Morris as the head coach, Herb hand promoted to offensive coordinator, and former Vanderbilt head coach Robbie Caldwell coming with Morris from Clemson as the new offensive line coach.
Derek Mason- Stanford Defensive Coordinator
No, not the former Titans/Ravens wide receiver. Mason is another coordinator on the rise as the architect of a stout Stanford defense since 2011. He has plenty of experience recruiting to an academically excellent school and could easily salvage, if not improve, Vanderbilt’s current recruiting class like Franklin did in 2010 and early 2011. Rightly or not, Mason will draw a lot of comparisons to Franklin as a young, energetic, African-American coordinator from an FBS school.
Like Franklin, Mason is a bit of a coaching nomad who has only recently stabilized at one school (this isn’t uncommon with position coaches and assistants). Before Stanford he coached at Mesa Community College, Weber State, Idaho, Bucknell, Utah, St. Mary’s, New Mexico State, Ohio and the Minnesota Vikings. His time at Stanford has been excellent, with the Cardinal having the tenth-ranked scoring defense in FBS this year by giving up just 19 points per game. Mason had plenty of Talent in Palo Alto, but just imagine what he could do with the young depth in Nashville.
Joe Schad, among others, has reported that Mason is locked in for an interview sometime this week.
The Insider
With Bob Shoop reportedly gone to State College, only one in-house candidate remains. He has been granted an interview for the head job, but remains a long shot.
Herb Hand
If you have ever walked past the Vanderbilt practice field on Natchez Trace, then you have heard Herb Hand’s voice. The current offensive line coach is one of the chief motivators in Nashville, and predates the Franklin era having been brought in by Bobby Johnson in 2009. Hand has stayed active on Twitter, interacting with Vanderbilt fans and staff, leading many to believe that he plans on staying in Nashville.
On the note of social media, Hand has become a favorite of both Vanderbilt fans and national football media by showcasing his gregarious personality on the interwebs. He regularly interacts with fans, athletes and writers, giving an insight into the coaching profession unseen elsewhere. If you haven’t read Spencer Hall’s profile of Hand from August, then stop looking at my website and read this right now.
Hand is my favorite college football coach not named Steve Spurrier, so I would love to see him promoted to the top job in Nashville. I was lucky enough to profile him in 2012 for The Vanderbilt Hustler, and it remains my favorite interview I’ve had with anyone in Vanderbilt Athletics. Questions remain about whether he can be the top man at a program, but Hand is certainly uniquely equipped to handle the challenge. If he were to get the promotion, it’s likely that Hand could keep at least some of the coaching staff together in Nashville, and maintain relationships with current recruits.
Oh yeah, he’s also an incredible chef.
The Small-School Longshot
Many coaches have reached out to David Williams about the opening in Nashville (20-25, by his own estimation) but with the big names already out and scheduled for interviews it seems unlikely many will be considered. One stands out, however, and could get a shot if the top choices decide not to come to Nashville.
Mark Hudspeth
The current head coach of Louisiana-Lafayette, Mark Hudspeth is a small-school coach that will get a big job sooner rather than later. He was the head coach at Division II North Alabama for seven years, going 66-21, before going to Mississippi State as a position coach then taking the head job of the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2011. Since starting in Lafayette, Hudspeth has gone 9-4 and won the New Orleans Bowl in all three of his seasons.
Though a long shot, Hudspeth will be a consideration for the top job. If Morris and Mason decide not to move to Nashville, Hudspeth will be thrust to the top of the pile of outside candidates. He’s been mentioned to fill several head coaching vacancies already this season, and will likely get a big job either this offseason or next. Hudspeth can win, the question is if he can recruit at the high level needed to compete in the SEC.
Just Now Heard This Name And It Won’t Happen But It Would Be Awesome
This was brought up on a sports talk radio show as I was writing this article and I loved it so I’m going to profile him even though it won’t happen.
David Culley
The wide receivers and assistant head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Culley played quarterback for Vanderbilt in the early 1970s. He was recruited to Nashville by then-linebackers coach Bill Parcells (yes, that Bill Parcells). While his playing career in Nashville was uneventful, he immediately turned to coaching and was back on West End as a wide receivers coach from 1979-1981.
Culley has been in the NFl since 1994, serving essentially as Andy Reid’s right-hand man since he was hired as the Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers coach in 1999. Culley is likely a non-candidate for this job, but it’s an interesting name with plenty of experience.
The Dark Horse No One is Talking About
Giggity.
Houston Nutt
Just kidding.
James Franklin is gone. Now, Vanderbilt Athletic Director David Williams must scramble to find a new head coach in time to salvage what remains of the 2014 recruiting class. Fortunately, Franklin left the program in much better shape than when he arrived and Williams has a plethora of viable, interested candidates to choose from.
We never actually know what’s going on in a coaching search until an offer is made, but let’s go ahead and examine the candidates anyways:
The Top Two:
We know, via various reports and sources, that these two coaches have been contacted and are being pursued by Vanderbilt for the opening. Both are likely to interview this week and will be the top choices for David Williams.
Chad Morris- Clemson Offensive Coordinator
Morris is a rising star in the coaching ranks, having been named Rivals.com Offensive Coordinator of the Year in 2011 and leading Clemson to the ninth-best scoring offense in the country this season. He is only 45, but is already the highest paid assistant coach in the country. Morris was formerly the offensive coordinator at Tulsa (following co-offensive coordinators Herb Hand and Gus Malzahn) and has put up points in all of his seasons as an OC. If you’re looking for a comparison to a current head coach, Morris reminds many of Gus Malzahn — who was offered the Vanderbilt head job in 2010 and reportedly accepted before changing his mind.
Morris has recruited the South extensively and is an offensive genius, making him an excellent fit for the head job in Nashville. He’s also a personal favorite of mine because he wears visors and speaks exactly like Steve Spurrier:
((HT: tigernetdotcom))
The concern with Morris is that he’ll leave again in a few years to take a bigger job. Given the way Franklin just exited that’s a realistic fear, but my thoughts are that if the new coach does a good enough job to leave for a bigger job then the Vanderbilt program will again be in a better place. Maybe ten jobs in the country are “destination jobs” and Vanderbilt likely never will be one. Almost any coach who views Vanderbilt as a destination job is one who will settle and that’s not who the Commodores want.
Morris is my top choice for the job because the Commodores have proven that you can build a good defense with a solid coordinator hire, but Vanderbilt needs an explosive offense to “take the next step” and become truly competitive in the SEC. Morris, like if Malzahn had been hired three years ago, will certainly bring that to Nashville. My ideal scenario would have Morris as the head coach, Herb hand promoted to offensive coordinator, and former Vanderbilt head coach Robbie Caldwell coming with Morris from Clemson as the new offensive line coach.
Derek Mason- Stanford Defensive Coordinator
No, not the former Titans/Ravens wide receiver. Mason is another coordinator on the rise as the architect of a stout Stanford defense since 2011. He has plenty of experience recruiting to an academically excellent school and could easily salvage, if not improve, Vanderbilt’s current recruiting class like Franklin did in 2010 and early 2011. Rightly or not, Mason will draw a lot of comparisons to Franklin as a young, energetic, African-American coordinator from an FBS school.
Like Franklin, Mason is a bit of a coaching nomad who has only recently stabilized at one school (this isn’t uncommon with position coaches and assistants). Before Stanford he coached at Mesa Community College, Weber State, Idaho, Bucknell, Utah, St. Mary’s, New Mexico State, Ohio and the Minnesota Vikings. His time at Stanford has been excellent, with the Cardinal having the tenth-ranked scoring defense in FBS this year by giving up just 19 points per game. Mason had plenty of Talent in Palo Alto, but just imagine what he could do with the young depth in Nashville.
Joe Schad, among others, has reported that Mason is locked in for an interview sometime this week.
The Insider
With Bob Shoop reportedly gone to State College, only one in-house candidate remains. He has been granted an interview for the head job, but remains a long shot.
Herb Hand
If you have ever walked past the Vanderbilt practice field on Natchez Trace, then you have heard Herb Hand’s voice. The current offensive line coach is one of the chief motivators in Nashville, and predates the Franklin era having been brought in by Bobby Johnson in 2009. Hand has stayed active on Twitter, interacting with Vanderbilt fans and staff, leading many to believe that he plans on staying in Nashville.
On the note of social media, Hand has become a favorite of both Vanderbilt fans and national football media by showcasing his gregarious personality on the interwebs. He regularly interacts with fans, athletes and writers, giving an insight into the coaching profession unseen elsewhere. If you haven’t read Spencer Hall’s profile of Hand from August, then stop looking at my website and read this right now.
Hand is my favorite college football coach not named Steve Spurrier, so I would love to see him promoted to the top job in Nashville. I was lucky enough to profile him in 2012 for The Vanderbilt Hustler, and it remains my favorite interview I’ve had with anyone in Vanderbilt Athletics. Questions remain about whether he can be the top man at a program, but Hand is certainly uniquely equipped to handle the challenge. If he were to get the promotion, it’s likely that Hand could keep at least some of the coaching staff together in Nashville, and maintain relationships with current recruits.
Oh yeah, he’s also an incredible chef.
The Small-School Longshot
Many coaches have reached out to David Williams about the opening in Nashville (20-25, by his own estimation) but with the big names already out and scheduled for interviews it seems unlikely many will be considered. One stands out, however, and could get a shot if the top choices decide not to come to Nashville.
Mark Hudspeth
The current head coach of Louisiana-Lafayette, Mark Hudspeth is a small-school coach that will get a big job sooner rather than later. He was the head coach at Division II North Alabama for seven years, going 66-21, before going to Mississippi State as a position coach then taking the head job of the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2011. Since starting in Lafayette, Hudspeth has gone 9-4 and won the New Orleans Bowl in all three of his seasons.
Though a long shot, Hudspeth will be a consideration for the top job. If Morris and Mason decide not to move to Nashville, Hudspeth will be thrust to the top of the pile of outside candidates. He’s been mentioned to fill several head coaching vacancies already this season, and will likely get a big job either this offseason or next. Hudspeth can win, the question is if he can recruit at the high level needed to compete in the SEC.
Just Now Heard This Name And It Won’t Happen But It Would Be Awesome
This was brought up on a sports talk radio show as I was writing this article and I loved it so I’m going to profile him even though it won’t happen.
David Culley
The wide receivers and assistant head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Culley played quarterback for Vanderbilt in the early 1970s. He was recruited to Nashville by then-linebackers coach Bill Parcells (yes, that Bill Parcells). While his playing career in Nashville was uneventful, he immediately turned to coaching and was back on West End as a wide receivers coach from 1979-1981.
Culley has been in the NFl since 1994, serving essentially as Andy Reid’s right-hand man since he was hired as the Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers coach in 1999. Culley is likely a non-candidate for this job, but it’s an interesting name with plenty of experience.
The Dark Horse No One is Talking About
Giggity.
Houston Nutt
Just kidding.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Dirty South Turns James Franklin's Departure Into An Outkast Tune
((HT: Dirty South Sports Report))
Here's J-Mart's riff on the James Franklin hiring by Penn State/departure from Vanderbilt to put a bow on the tenure and his change of address to Happy Valley...
The HQ wonders just how long it took him to figure out the iambic pentameter...
So...
Lehgo...
James Franklin has officially left Vanderbilt to become the head coach at Penn State. To cope we did the only thing we know what to do, so we wrote him an Outkast song.
[Hook]
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
[Verse 1 – Sleepy Brown]
Brand new suit & Lincoln’s clean
Leanin’ checking out the scene
Pennsylvania boys, cameras lit; ridin’ out talkin’ shit
Franklin where you wanna go?
You know the ol’ boys club don’t close ’til four
Let’s party ’til we can’t no more
Watch out here come the fans (Damn – oh lord)
[Verse 2 - Andre 3000]
As the plot thickens it gives me the dickens
Reminiscent of Dudley, a lil’ stadium
Nestled in the ghettos of Vandyville, USA
Via Nashville, Tennessee a lil’ spot where
Young men & young women go to experience
They first li’l taste of the SEC life
Me? Well I’ve never been there; well perhaps once
But I, was so engulfed in the tailgate
I never made it to the door you speak of hard core
While the David Williams sweatin’ out all the problems
And the troubles of the day
While this fine sun dressed girl fine as all outdoors
Lulls lukewarm lullabies in your left ear
Competing with “Wagon Wheel,” in the right
But it all blends perfectly, let the liquor tell it
“Hey hey look baby they playin’ our song”
And the crowd goes wild as if
Holyfield has just shotgunned a Natty Light
But in actuality it’s only about 3 P.M
And three freshmen just don’ got hauled
Off in the ambulance (sliced up)
Two kappas don’ start bustin’ (wham wham)
And one senior don’ took his shirt off talkin’ ’bout
“Now who else wanna fuck with Highland Quad?”
It’s just my interpretation of the situation
[Hook]
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
[Verse 3 - Big Boi]
Yes; when I first met my SpottieOttieCoachalicious Franklin
I can remember that damn thing like yesterday
The way he talked reminded me of a Nick Saban
Horse with skates on, ya know
Smooth like a hot comb in a black and gold suit
I walked up on him and was almost paralyzed
His words was flowing sweeter
Than a plate of yams with extra syrup
Eyes beaming like four karats apiece just blindin’ a Commodore
Felt like I chiefed a whole O of that Presidential
My heart was beating so damn fast
Never knowing this moment would bring another
Coach into this school
Funny how shit come together sometimes (ya dig)
One moment you frequent the bowl games and
The next four years you & somebody’s offensive coordinator
Raisin’ y’all own young team now that’s a beautiful thang
That’s if you’re on top of your game
And man enough to handle real life situations (that is)
Can’t gamble feeding a fanbase on that coach money
Might not always be sufficient but the
Pennsylvania State University & the people at State College
Didn’t call you back because you started 0-6.
So now you back in the trap just that, trapped
Go on and marinate on that for a minute
See the mind he has here...???
Here's J-Mart's riff on the James Franklin hiring by Penn State/departure from Vanderbilt to put a bow on the tenure and his change of address to Happy Valley...
The HQ wonders just how long it took him to figure out the iambic pentameter...
So...
Lehgo...
James Franklin has officially left Vanderbilt to become the head coach at Penn State. To cope we did the only thing we know what to do, so we wrote him an Outkast song.
[Hook]
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
[Verse 1 – Sleepy Brown]
Brand new suit & Lincoln’s clean
Leanin’ checking out the scene
Pennsylvania boys, cameras lit; ridin’ out talkin’ shit
Franklin where you wanna go?
You know the ol’ boys club don’t close ’til four
Let’s party ’til we can’t no more
Watch out here come the fans (Damn – oh lord)
[Verse 2 - Andre 3000]
As the plot thickens it gives me the dickens
Reminiscent of Dudley, a lil’ stadium
Nestled in the ghettos of Vandyville, USA
Via Nashville, Tennessee a lil’ spot where
Young men & young women go to experience
They first li’l taste of the SEC life
Me? Well I’ve never been there; well perhaps once
But I, was so engulfed in the tailgate
I never made it to the door you speak of hard core
While the David Williams sweatin’ out all the problems
And the troubles of the day
While this fine sun dressed girl fine as all outdoors
Lulls lukewarm lullabies in your left ear
Competing with “Wagon Wheel,” in the right
But it all blends perfectly, let the liquor tell it
“Hey hey look baby they playin’ our song”
And the crowd goes wild as if
Holyfield has just shotgunned a Natty Light
But in actuality it’s only about 3 P.M
And three freshmen just don’ got hauled
Off in the ambulance (sliced up)
Two kappas don’ start bustin’ (wham wham)
And one senior don’ took his shirt off talkin’ ’bout
“Now who else wanna fuck with Highland Quad?”
It’s just my interpretation of the situation
[Hook]
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
Damn damn damn James
[Verse 3 - Big Boi]
Yes; when I first met my SpottieOttieCoachalicious Franklin
I can remember that damn thing like yesterday
The way he talked reminded me of a Nick Saban
Horse with skates on, ya know
Smooth like a hot comb in a black and gold suit
I walked up on him and was almost paralyzed
His words was flowing sweeter
Than a plate of yams with extra syrup
Eyes beaming like four karats apiece just blindin’ a Commodore
Felt like I chiefed a whole O of that Presidential
My heart was beating so damn fast
Never knowing this moment would bring another
Coach into this school
Funny how shit come together sometimes (ya dig)
One moment you frequent the bowl games and
The next four years you & somebody’s offensive coordinator
Raisin’ y’all own young team now that’s a beautiful thang
That’s if you’re on top of your game
And man enough to handle real life situations (that is)
Can’t gamble feeding a fanbase on that coach money
Might not always be sufficient but the
Pennsylvania State University & the people at State College
Didn’t call you back because you started 0-6.
So now you back in the trap just that, trapped
Go on and marinate on that for a minute
See the mind he has here...???
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Penn State Makes James Franklin Hire Official
To the surprise of nobody...outside of a handful of people at Vanderbilt University, Penn State made it official early Saturday morning and hired James Franklin to coach the football team.The only matter, which we reported on Friday, that slowed things down was getting the school's Board of Trustees to sign off on his salary. Which they did just after 9 a.m on Saturday.
And according to CBSSports.com's Bruce Feldman, the deal is a big one. 6-years for $27 million or $4.5 million a year.
Read more from the school their own-selves RIGHT HERE
The tradition of excellence continues: James Franklin named Penn State Football Head Coach. http://t.co/izmh08AILC pic.twitter.com/RkMSsxmuBT
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 11, 2014 Franklin has been one of College Football's hottest coaching commodities after leading the Commodores to 24 wins and three straight bowl games in his 3-years at the Nashville school.He inherits a once storied football program that has suffered the past several years both before and after the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the passing of legendary coach Joe Paterno. The Nittany Lions are dealing with scholarship losses and several other punishments for the mess and to most outsiders are a few years away from returning to full strength.
The job came open after Bill O'Brien left to take the head coaching job with the Houston Texans.
Penn State will introduce Franklin to the world at 4:15 on Saturday afternoon.
According to Vandy AD David Williams, the two had a discussion at 1PM Friday afternoon. Williams said that, after a conversation he had with Franklin six hours later, it was his impression that Franklin was removing himself from the position of head coach at the university. Williams is disappointed with the decision, but is ready to move on.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Today in James Franklin to Penn State News: Stop Speculating, Just a Formality
((ht: statecollege.com))Brother Jon did a great job on Thursday summarizing all the news related to Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and his pending move to Penn State.
But there was nothing etched in stone about any of it.
Well, this morning (Friday), there's more. It appears, despite Vanderbilt saying "He's still our football coach" and information from Vandy insider, the Dirty South Sports Reports Jackson Martin, the move IS going to happen.
Mike Poorman of StateCollege.com, the Newspaper in Happy Valley reports Friday morning that the Penn State Board of Trustees (yes, that board) is meeting on Saturday morning specifically to discuss a "compensation" issue.
Once the board signs off on the deal: It's done.
Read Poorman's story RIGHT HERE
At this point, we don't think there is any reason the deal won't happen. We also are quite amused at the hullabaloo the hire is generating. Yes, Franklin has been wildly successful at Vanderbilt and likely will do well in Happy Valley, but in the grand scheme of things, this is not a Texas hire or even Petrino returning to Louisville.
Still, we would advise our friends in Nashville, Vanderbilt in particular to get moving on the coaching search, waiting this long, thins the pool of candidates.
A lot.
It's done folks. Let's move on.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Penn St Narrows Coaching Field: Golden and Others To Interview (Update: Golden Offered or Not)
UPDATE 5:00pm 1/3/14:
CaneSport.com reports Al Golden has been offered the Penn State job. If so, take what you read after the CaneSport tweet, with a grain of salt....
However other reports say no. That it hasn't happened.
So who do you believe?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earlier Story:
So who is it? Al Golden? James Franklin or Mike Munchak?
It depends we guess, on who's website or "expert" you believe in...
Reports are flying fast and furious that Penn State is quickly closing in on a new head coach.
The latest report....it comes from ESPN.com's Joe Schad who says University of Miami head coach Al Golden (a Penn State alum) has agreed to an interview:
And, there's more...
CoachingSearch.com, a very well connected website with lots of inside scoop on coaching moves, reports that Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin will be interviewed on Sunday.
Read that in their daily ticker RIGHT HERE
And ESPN.com's Brett McMurphy adds that Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, also an alum, and currently still in charge of the Titans, is also going to be interviewed for the gig.
So, does any of this make sense to you?
Golden, does because of his ties. And his apparent love for his alma mater. This despite an arguably better job with a very high profile team.
Franklin however does NOT make sense. Yes, he's from the area, but why would he leave an SEC team that he's had huge success with to take another rebuilding job? Sure, that SEC job is Vanderbilt and yes, Franklin's name comes up for every high profile job. But we just don't think this one makes sense.
As for Munchak, much like Golden, he makes some sense. He's got ties, he's now got the coaching experience. No, he hasn't been incredibly successful with the Titans, but he hasn't been a failure either. You don't often hear of NFL coaches with jobs stepping back, but the Titans are still evaluating Munchak's job and whether or not he'll still have it next season.
Expect something to happen fairly quick. We're guessing Penn State will wait until after Monday's BCS title game to make the announcement, unless it leaks first. But we are very confident it will happen soon and one of these guys is likely to be the hire.
CaneSport.com reports Al Golden has been offered the Penn State job. If so, take what you read after the CaneSport tweet, with a grain of salt....
CaneSport has confirmed that Al Golden has been offered the head coaching job at Penn State. While expected to take it, no word yet from Al
— CaneSport (@CaneSport) January 3, 2014
However other reports say no. That it hasn't happened.
This isn't what they mean by casual Friday you guys. RT @djoneshoop NO ONE has been offered job. Report was wrong.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) January 3, 2014
So who do you believe?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earlier Story:
So who is it? Al Golden? James Franklin or Mike Munchak?
It depends we guess, on who's website or "expert" you believe in...
Reports are flying fast and furious that Penn State is quickly closing in on a new head coach.
The latest report....it comes from ESPN.com's Joe Schad who says University of Miami head coach Al Golden (a Penn State alum) has agreed to an interview:
Penn State source said Al Golden agreed to speak about the opening as early as today because "It would be coming home."
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 3, 2014
And, there's more...
CoachingSearch.com, a very well connected website with lots of inside scoop on coaching moves, reports that Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin will be interviewed on Sunday.
Read that in their daily ticker RIGHT HERE
And ESPN.com's Brett McMurphy adds that Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, also an alum, and currently still in charge of the Titans, is also going to be interviewed for the gig.
So, does any of this make sense to you?
Golden, does because of his ties. And his apparent love for his alma mater. This despite an arguably better job with a very high profile team.
Franklin however does NOT make sense. Yes, he's from the area, but why would he leave an SEC team that he's had huge success with to take another rebuilding job? Sure, that SEC job is Vanderbilt and yes, Franklin's name comes up for every high profile job. But we just don't think this one makes sense.
As for Munchak, much like Golden, he makes some sense. He's got ties, he's now got the coaching experience. No, he hasn't been incredibly successful with the Titans, but he hasn't been a failure either. You don't often hear of NFL coaches with jobs stepping back, but the Titans are still evaluating Munchak's job and whether or not he'll still have it next season.
Expect something to happen fairly quick. We're guessing Penn State will wait until after Monday's BCS title game to make the announcement, unless it leaks first. But we are very confident it will happen soon and one of these guys is likely to be the hire.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Vandy Stuns Vols On Fake Jump Pass
((HT: XOS Sports/SEC))
It is painfully obvious to the HQ that both Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley have poisoned the Tennessee Volunteer water until further notice...
And the most immediate confirmation of that fact was last night as Vanderbilt drove 92 yards in 12 plays culminating in a Patton Robinette shotgun snap, fake jump pass, bootleg for a score with 12 seconds left in regulation for the 14-10 win
IN KNOXVILLE...
BY VANDERBILT...
Here's your highlights...
Vandy is now 7-4, Tennessee is the opposite...
Here's Butch Jones postgame...
((HT: Knoxnews.com))
Joshua Dobbs finished 11-of-19 passing for 53 yards and Tennessee generated only 237 yards of offense.
Vandy now has a two-game winning streak against UT for the first time since the 1920's.
The HQ is in agreement that Jones is the right guy to bring the program back to where it should...
It may take 15 years or so...
It is painfully obvious to the HQ that both Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley have poisoned the Tennessee Volunteer water until further notice...
And the most immediate confirmation of that fact was last night as Vanderbilt drove 92 yards in 12 plays culminating in a Patton Robinette shotgun snap, fake jump pass, bootleg for a score with 12 seconds left in regulation for the 14-10 win
IN KNOXVILLE...
BY VANDERBILT...
Here's your highlights...
Vandy is now 7-4, Tennessee is the opposite...
Here's Butch Jones postgame...
((HT: Knoxnews.com))
Joshua Dobbs finished 11-of-19 passing for 53 yards and Tennessee generated only 237 yards of offense.
Vandy now has a two-game winning streak against UT for the first time since the 1920's.
The HQ is in agreement that Jones is the right guy to bring the program back to where it should...
It may take 15 years or so...
Sunday, October 20, 2013
CFB Saturday: Wrapping Up SEC Upset Craziness
Anybody still want to argue that the SEC is the best conference in college football?
Saturday's game action proved one thing--They're not.
Pretty much every "name" program in the conference lost. And not for the 1st time this season.
We start in Vanderbilt where the limping Georgia Bulldogs continue their tumble down the polls. And ironically, the Dawgs were up 13 going into the 4th quarter in Nashville.
But that's when the wheels fell off.
A fumbled punt, a botched punt snap and a solid performance by Vandy's backup QB Patton Robbinette was all it took for that lead to evaporate and Vanderbilt to get the their 1st win over a ranked team since the 2008 season, 31-27.
Your highlights from CBS Sports:
The craziness continued just 3 hours East in Knoxville when Tennessee knocked off media darling South Carolina when Michael Palardy drilled a 19-yard field goal at the buzzer giving the Vols a 23-21 win.
The Gamecocks didn't exactly help themselves with 3 turnovers and 9 penalties. This despite a big game by star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
But Tennessee stayed close, and a circus catch by freshman WR Marquez North was enough to put Palardy in position to give his team their 1st win over a ranked team since 2009.
Your highlights from our friends at ESPN:
And while that was happening, Missouri took full control of the SEC East by dominating an outmanned Florida team in Columbia, Missouri.
QB Maty Mauk stepped in for the injured James Franklin and threw for 295 yards and a TD, Henry Joseph ran for 136 and a score and the Tigers defense sacked beleaguered Gator QB Tyler Murphy 6 times and was in his face pretty much the entire game.
The 36-17 win will get Missouri a place in the Top 10 and a now 2 game lead over their closest competition in the SEC East.
Your Highlights again from our friends at ESPN:
And finally Auburn continues in run towards regaining relevance by taking down Johnny Football and Texas A&M in College Station early Saturday evening.
Auburn QB Nick Marshall threw for 236 and 2 TD's and ran for 100 yards and two more to lead the Tigers to a crazy 45-41 win.
The Tigers were winless in the SEC in 2012 and arguably one of college football's worst teams. The change this season under new coach Gus Mazlahn is nothing short of miraculous.
No, there wasn't a lot of defense played in this game, Manziel threw for 434 yards and 4 TD's and his WR Mike Evans caught 11 passes for 237 yards and a couple of scores. But when Manziel went down with a shoulder injury, the Aggies defense couldn't stop Auburn. Manziel would return, but had a hard time throwing.
The loss pretty much eliminated the Aggies from SEC West or any national title contention.
Your highlights from CBS Sports (There are a lot of them):
Saturday's game action proved one thing--They're not.
Pretty much every "name" program in the conference lost. And not for the 1st time this season.
We start in Vanderbilt where the limping Georgia Bulldogs continue their tumble down the polls. And ironically, the Dawgs were up 13 going into the 4th quarter in Nashville.
But that's when the wheels fell off.
A fumbled punt, a botched punt snap and a solid performance by Vandy's backup QB Patton Robbinette was all it took for that lead to evaporate and Vanderbilt to get the their 1st win over a ranked team since the 2008 season, 31-27.
Your highlights from CBS Sports:
The craziness continued just 3 hours East in Knoxville when Tennessee knocked off media darling South Carolina when Michael Palardy drilled a 19-yard field goal at the buzzer giving the Vols a 23-21 win.
The Gamecocks didn't exactly help themselves with 3 turnovers and 9 penalties. This despite a big game by star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
But Tennessee stayed close, and a circus catch by freshman WR Marquez North was enough to put Palardy in position to give his team their 1st win over a ranked team since 2009.
Your highlights from our friends at ESPN:
And while that was happening, Missouri took full control of the SEC East by dominating an outmanned Florida team in Columbia, Missouri.
QB Maty Mauk stepped in for the injured James Franklin and threw for 295 yards and a TD, Henry Joseph ran for 136 and a score and the Tigers defense sacked beleaguered Gator QB Tyler Murphy 6 times and was in his face pretty much the entire game.
The 36-17 win will get Missouri a place in the Top 10 and a now 2 game lead over their closest competition in the SEC East.
Your Highlights again from our friends at ESPN:
And finally Auburn continues in run towards regaining relevance by taking down Johnny Football and Texas A&M in College Station early Saturday evening.
Auburn QB Nick Marshall threw for 236 and 2 TD's and ran for 100 yards and two more to lead the Tigers to a crazy 45-41 win.
The Tigers were winless in the SEC in 2012 and arguably one of college football's worst teams. The change this season under new coach Gus Mazlahn is nothing short of miraculous.
No, there wasn't a lot of defense played in this game, Manziel threw for 434 yards and 4 TD's and his WR Mike Evans caught 11 passes for 237 yards and a couple of scores. But when Manziel went down with a shoulder injury, the Aggies defense couldn't stop Auburn. Manziel would return, but had a hard time throwing.
The loss pretty much eliminated the Aggies from SEC West or any national title contention.
Your highlights from CBS Sports (There are a lot of them):
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Targeting Rule Costing SEC Teams Key Defenders and Draws Complaints
Hmmm....it's been an interesting early round of college football games with a couple of SEC defensive football players getting booted from their respective games due to the new NCAA "Targeting" rule.
That rule says it's an automatic penalty and ejection for any player who leads into a tackle with his helmet and hits an opposing player in the helmet.
If you skim through the Twitter world, there's outrage over a play in the UGA/Vanderbilt game that cost Georgia arguably their best defensive player.
Check out Ray Drew trying to pull back on hitting Vanderbilt QB Austyn Carta-Samuels:
Check out this Tweet about the play from former NFL Referee and current FOX Sports anaylist Mike Pereira:
The South Carolina Gamecoks aren't exactly thrilled with the rule either as they lost Safety Katdetrix Marcus early in the 1st quarter of their game vs. Tennessee. Marcus was filling in as an injury replacement himself.
The idea behind the rule is understood. The NCAA is trying to protect players by getting them to stop head-hunting...or leading with their helmet with the intent to injure opponents.
However in the case of the Drew play, it's pretty obvious there was no intent to injure anyone. Marcus's play, we saw on TV but don't have a clip to show you of it. Suffice to say, it was a little closer to the intent of the rule, but arguably he didn't appear to be trying to injure anyone either.
That rule says it's an automatic penalty and ejection for any player who leads into a tackle with his helmet and hits an opposing player in the helmet.
If you skim through the Twitter world, there's outrage over a play in the UGA/Vanderbilt game that cost Georgia arguably their best defensive player.
Check out Ray Drew trying to pull back on hitting Vanderbilt QB Austyn Carta-Samuels:
Check out this Tweet about the play from former NFL Referee and current FOX Sports anaylist Mike Pereira:
Ejection of Georgia player has to be reversed!!
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 19, 2013
The South Carolina Gamecoks aren't exactly thrilled with the rule either as they lost Safety Katdetrix Marcus early in the 1st quarter of their game vs. Tennessee. Marcus was filling in as an injury replacement himself.
The idea behind the rule is understood. The NCAA is trying to protect players by getting them to stop head-hunting...or leading with their helmet with the intent to injure opponents.
However in the case of the Drew play, it's pretty obvious there was no intent to injure anyone. Marcus's play, we saw on TV but don't have a clip to show you of it. Suffice to say, it was a little closer to the intent of the rule, but arguably he didn't appear to be trying to injure anyone either.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Nashville DA: Franklin/Carta-Samuels Not Involved In Rape Cover-Up
((HT: Newschannel5/WTVF))
Davidson County (TN) District Attorney Torry Johnson held a press conference yesterday to clear the air yesterday regarding the Vanderbilt University rape case. And the larger issue that was picked up dealt with texts sent by Chris Boyd after the rape took place.
A Boyd text mentioned the quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels as one of two people who helped Boyd move the victim out of a hallway.
Johnson cleared that up saying that the text was from Boyd but misidentified Carta-Samuels. Johnson also addressed rumors of involvement by Vandy head coach James Franklin. He said those rumors were also untrue.
Here's the presser...
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
Boyd's plea deal involves the notion that he is going to help out prosecutors who are trying to convict four former Vandy football players for the alleged rape of an unconscious co-ed on campus. Appearances of the defendants start next month in court...
Davidson County (TN) District Attorney Torry Johnson held a press conference yesterday to clear the air yesterday regarding the Vanderbilt University rape case. And the larger issue that was picked up dealt with texts sent by Chris Boyd after the rape took place.
A Boyd text mentioned the quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels as one of two people who helped Boyd move the victim out of a hallway.
Johnson cleared that up saying that the text was from Boyd but misidentified Carta-Samuels. Johnson also addressed rumors of involvement by Vandy head coach James Franklin. He said those rumors were also untrue.
Here's the presser...
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
Boyd's plea deal involves the notion that he is going to help out prosecutors who are trying to convict four former Vandy football players for the alleged rape of an unconscious co-ed on campus. Appearances of the defendants start next month in court...
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Boyd Dismissed From Vandy, Will Testify Against Ex-Teammates
((HT: NewsChannel 5 WTVF))
Vanderbilt announced it has dismissed Chris Boyd from both the football team and athletic program.
Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Beth Fortune said, in a prepared statement, that the decision came after a review that included information that came out in open court as a part of his plea bargain hearing.
"Vanderbilt's athletic administration, in conjunction with its head football coach, today dismissed Chris Boyd from the university's football team and athletic program. The action came after an ongoing review that included information disclosed during a hearing September 13 in Davidson County Criminal Court.
The review concluded that Mr. Boyd's admitted actions are clearly inconsistent with the high standards of behavior expected of our student-athletes." said Fortune.
Boyd entered a conditional guilty plea to a role in attempting to cover up the rape of an unconscious student in a dorm on the school's campus that also allegedly involved a handful of other Vanderbilt football players.
Boyd received a suspended sentence on a misdemeanor charge of "criminal attempt to commit accessory after the fact." If he completes probation, his record is cleared. Surprising no one, he is also cooperating with prosecutors and is set to testify against the four other former football players charged in the case.
Brandon Vandenburg, Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, Brandon Banks and Cory Batey each face five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. They are scheduled to be in court Wednesday, October 16th.
McKenzie was kicked off the Alcorn State football team after one game and transferring from Vandy- which was a big no-no.
((HT: WKRN-TV))
WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports
Vanderbilt announced it has dismissed Chris Boyd from both the football team and athletic program.
Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Beth Fortune said, in a prepared statement, that the decision came after a review that included information that came out in open court as a part of his plea bargain hearing.
"Vanderbilt's athletic administration, in conjunction with its head football coach, today dismissed Chris Boyd from the university's football team and athletic program. The action came after an ongoing review that included information disclosed during a hearing September 13 in Davidson County Criminal Court.
The review concluded that Mr. Boyd's admitted actions are clearly inconsistent with the high standards of behavior expected of our student-athletes." said Fortune.
Boyd entered a conditional guilty plea to a role in attempting to cover up the rape of an unconscious student in a dorm on the school's campus that also allegedly involved a handful of other Vanderbilt football players.
Boyd received a suspended sentence on a misdemeanor charge of "criminal attempt to commit accessory after the fact." If he completes probation, his record is cleared. Surprising no one, he is also cooperating with prosecutors and is set to testify against the four other former football players charged in the case.
Brandon Vandenburg, Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, Brandon Banks and Cory Batey each face five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. They are scheduled to be in court Wednesday, October 16th.
McKenzie was kicked off the Alcorn State football team after one game and transferring from Vandy- which was a big no-no.
((HT: WKRN-TV))
WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports
Friday, September 13, 2013
DEVELOPING: Vandy WR Boyd Pleads To Lesser Charge, McKenzie's Alcorn Career Over After 1 Game...
((HT: WSMV-TV))
Suspended Vanderbilt WR Chris Boyd pleaded guilty to lesser charges in a local criminal court appearance this morning- a misdemeanor charge of "criminal attempt to being accessory after the fact."
Boyd was given an 11 month, 29 day suspended sentence. He has been placed on probation and won't serve any more jail time right now. He was suspected of helping to cover up the alleged sexual assault inside a dorm room at Vanderbilt.
Before the sentence was handed down, prosecutors read text messages between Boyd and one of the rape suspects in open court about what may have happened on the night in question. Vanderbilt suspended Boyd from the football team upon learning of his initial indictment.
Here was the court appearance...
WSMV Channel 4
The HQ's guess is that Boyd cut a deal to inform authorities about the others who are allegedly involved in the case...
Speaking of ex-teammates, JaBorian "Tip" McKenzie's career at Alcorn State lasted one game. McKenzie, after being banned from the Vanderbilt campus as a result of the accusations, transferred to Alcorn and could play immediately because of Alcorn's FCS/Division I-AA status. He wasn't listed on an active roster, but played last Saturday.
In a statement, Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown II, said:
"Alcorn failed to sufficiently examine the allegations against McKenzie before allowing him to participate in our football program ... In an effort to provide educational opportunities to a Southwest Mississippi student, Alcorn State University made an error in judgment."
Suspended Vanderbilt WR Chris Boyd pleaded guilty to lesser charges in a local criminal court appearance this morning- a misdemeanor charge of "criminal attempt to being accessory after the fact."
Boyd was given an 11 month, 29 day suspended sentence. He has been placed on probation and won't serve any more jail time right now. He was suspected of helping to cover up the alleged sexual assault inside a dorm room at Vanderbilt.
Before the sentence was handed down, prosecutors read text messages between Boyd and one of the rape suspects in open court about what may have happened on the night in question. Vanderbilt suspended Boyd from the football team upon learning of his initial indictment.
Here was the court appearance...
WSMV Channel 4
The HQ's guess is that Boyd cut a deal to inform authorities about the others who are allegedly involved in the case...
Speaking of ex-teammates, JaBorian "Tip" McKenzie's career at Alcorn State lasted one game. McKenzie, after being banned from the Vanderbilt campus as a result of the accusations, transferred to Alcorn and could play immediately because of Alcorn's FCS/Division I-AA status. He wasn't listed on an active roster, but played last Saturday.
In a statement, Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown II, said:
"Alcorn failed to sufficiently examine the allegations against McKenzie before allowing him to participate in our football program ... In an effort to provide educational opportunities to a Southwest Mississippi student, Alcorn State University made an error in judgment."
Friday, August 30, 2013
Ole Miss Runs Past Vanderbilt In A Thriller
What a wild game in Nashville Thursday night
Two teams, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, who are trying to take a seat at the big boy table in the SEC battled and each played like they really wanted it.
The Commodores were up 35-32 late in the fourth quarter and things looked great for Vandy.
With 1:30 left and Ole Miss will possession at their own 25 senior Jeff Scott got the ball and took it the distance.
“Bo gave me the ball, I started to bend the corner and I said `OK, I gotta get out of bounds,’ ” Scott said. “But that’s when I saw Donte (Moncrief) seal his man and set the corner. I just hit up the seam. I think I surprised them because last year teams looked at me as undersized and they thought I’d go out-of-bounds.”
Scott didn't run out-of-bounds. What he did was break the hearts of 'Dore fans.
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze liked the play, loved the result.
"I knew that it would be a good run play," Freeze said. "Obviously, I didn't know it would go all the way to the house. But I thought it would be a good run play."
"They blocked us in space and (Scott) is fast," Franklin said.
Jeff Scott finished with 138 yards and an Rebel hero for the week.
Two teams, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, who are trying to take a seat at the big boy table in the SEC battled and each played like they really wanted it.
The Commodores were up 35-32 late in the fourth quarter and things looked great for Vandy.
With 1:30 left and Ole Miss will possession at their own 25 senior Jeff Scott got the ball and took it the distance.
“Bo gave me the ball, I started to bend the corner and I said `OK, I gotta get out of bounds,’ ” Scott said. “But that’s when I saw Donte (Moncrief) seal his man and set the corner. I just hit up the seam. I think I surprised them because last year teams looked at me as undersized and they thought I’d go out-of-bounds.”
Scott didn't run out-of-bounds. What he did was break the hearts of 'Dore fans.
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze liked the play, loved the result.
"I knew that it would be a good run play," Freeze said. "Obviously, I didn't know it would go all the way to the house. But I thought it would be a good run play."
"They blocked us in space and (Scott) is fast," Franklin said.
Jeff Scott finished with 138 yards and an Rebel hero for the week.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
1 Of 4 Ex-Vandy Players To Plead Not Guilty
((HT: WSMV-TV))
One of the four ex-Vanderbilt football players charged in the allegedly rape of an unconscious student in June has waived his right to appear at his arraignment and intends to enter a not guilty plea.
Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie along with Brandon Vandenburg, Cory Batey, and 19-year-old Brandon Banks have all been charged. McKenzie and Banks are currently free on bond.
McKenzie is free on a lesser bond than the other three defendants- a recommended $50,000 by the District Attorney's office.
Here's the latest from this afternoon...
WSMV Channel 4
Conventional wisdom is that McKenzie may be the one who is going to flip on his three ex-teammates...
McKenzie's attorney, Jodie Bell, volunteered nothing...of course...
"On behalf of Mr. McKenzie, out of respect for the victim, in light of the pending litigation, and the ongoing investigation, we are not making any comment at this time."
One of the four ex-Vanderbilt football players charged in the allegedly rape of an unconscious student in June has waived his right to appear at his arraignment and intends to enter a not guilty plea.
Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie along with Brandon Vandenburg, Cory Batey, and 19-year-old Brandon Banks have all been charged. McKenzie and Banks are currently free on bond.
McKenzie is free on a lesser bond than the other three defendants- a recommended $50,000 by the District Attorney's office.
Here's the latest from this afternoon...
WSMV Channel 4
Conventional wisdom is that McKenzie may be the one who is going to flip on his three ex-teammates...
McKenzie's attorney, Jodie Bell, volunteered nothing...of course...
"On behalf of Mr. McKenzie, out of respect for the victim, in light of the pending litigation, and the ongoing investigation, we are not making any comment at this time."
Friday, August 9, 2013
DEVELOPING: 4 Dismissed Vandy Players Charged In June Rape
((HT: Tennessean/Haas))
Four former Vanderbilt football players (pictured right, thanks Tennesseean) have each been charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.
Brandon Vandenburg from California- was one of the biggest 2013 recruits
Brandon Eric Banks from Maryland
JaBorian “Tip” McKenzie from Mississippi and
Cory Batey of Nashville were charged in the indictment.
Vandenburg was also charged with one count of tampering with evidence and a count of unlawful photography.
Here's the initial story from our friends at Fox Nashville...
Batey has already been arrested and taken to General Hospital for a mandatory blood draw.
“I do not know exactly what the charges are, but I'm sure it involves some type of sexual misconduct,” Batey’s attorney, Worrick Robinson, told the Tennessean.
Police are trying to track down the other three and maintain that the four raped an unconscious woman in Vandenburg’s dorm room June 23rd of this year. The alleged victim's identity has not been announced because of a rape shield law in the state of Tennessee.
From Haas:
Police first got word after university officials checked a hallway security camera in an unrelated incident and saw suspicious behavior by the four.
Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson called the evidence, “compelling” and “unsettling”. Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said he couldn’t elaborate on the unlawful photography charge, but said their electronics expert was “heavily involved” in their investigation.
“Our electronics expert specializes in the forensic analysis of modern-day electronic gadgets,” Aaron said.
Banks’ attorney, Grover Collins, is trying to get Banks in custody as soon as possible, and Aaron would not address the idea that more arrests could be made in the case.
Cory Batey's bond has been set at $350,000- operating under the assumption that Batey could be a flight risk as he is the local of the four- thus the high amount.
1800 UPDATE: Here's an interview Aaron gave with the guys from the 3 Hour Lunch on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville
According to the Nashville City Paper, QB Austyn Carta-Samuels is subpoenaed as a witness in the case as well as tight end Dillon van der Wal. Offensive lineman Jake Bernstein, wide receiver De'Andre Woods and long-snapper Mack Prioleau were also listed by the state as witnesses.
Here's the Vanderbilt presser, thanks to our friends at Newschannel 5
((HT: WTVF-TV))
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
Four former Vanderbilt football players (pictured right, thanks Tennesseean) have each been charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.
Brandon Vandenburg from California- was one of the biggest 2013 recruits
JaBorian “Tip” McKenzie from Mississippi and
Cory Batey of Nashville were charged in the indictment.
Vandenburg was also charged with one count of tampering with evidence and a count of unlawful photography.
Here's the initial story from our friends at Fox Nashville...
Batey has already been arrested and taken to General Hospital for a mandatory blood draw.
“I do not know exactly what the charges are, but I'm sure it involves some type of sexual misconduct,” Batey’s attorney, Worrick Robinson, told the Tennessean.
Police are trying to track down the other three and maintain that the four raped an unconscious woman in Vandenburg’s dorm room June 23rd of this year. The alleged victim's identity has not been announced because of a rape shield law in the state of Tennessee.
From Haas:
Police first got word after university officials checked a hallway security camera in an unrelated incident and saw suspicious behavior by the four.
Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson called the evidence, “compelling” and “unsettling”. Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said he couldn’t elaborate on the unlawful photography charge, but said their electronics expert was “heavily involved” in their investigation.
“Our electronics expert specializes in the forensic analysis of modern-day electronic gadgets,” Aaron said.
Banks’ attorney, Grover Collins, is trying to get Banks in custody as soon as possible, and Aaron would not address the idea that more arrests could be made in the case.
Cory Batey's bond has been set at $350,000- operating under the assumption that Batey could be a flight risk as he is the local of the four- thus the high amount.
1800 UPDATE: Here's an interview Aaron gave with the guys from the 3 Hour Lunch on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville
According to the Nashville City Paper, QB Austyn Carta-Samuels is subpoenaed as a witness in the case as well as tight end Dillon van der Wal. Offensive lineman Jake Bernstein, wide receiver De'Andre Woods and long-snapper Mack Prioleau were also listed by the state as witnesses.
Here's the Vanderbilt presser, thanks to our friends at Newschannel 5
((HT: WTVF-TV))
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
Saturday, June 29, 2013
ICYMI: Four Vanderbilt Football Players Investigated for Sex Crimes (UPDATED: They're Gone)
((ht: tennessean.com))
How very SEC of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
A report leaked out late Friday afternoon that 4-Vanderbilt football players are suspended from the team pending the results of a police investigation that link them with sex crimes.
Metro Nashville Police wouldn't identify the players or specify the crimes other than to say that they were notified by Vanderbilt police on Wednesday of an incident that may have involved the players took place in a school dormitory.
The school, nor coach James Franklin added anything of detail, citing the "Ongoing Investigation" line.
Read the full story from the Tennessean.com RIGHT HERE
We await the outcome of this investigation because really, it is the 1st time something like this has happened and involved Vanderbilt in as long as we can remember.
The Commodores, long an SEC doormat, have had a revival in the past couple of seasons after the arrival of head coach James Franklin.
We would not go as far to say the school is attracting a "different" type athlete than they have in the past, but things have changed for the Nashville based school. A $31 million dollar new indoor football facility, 2 straight bowl appearances have the markings of a program on the rise.
Your TV story from our friends at Newschannel 5 (WTVF) in Nashville:
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
SATURDAY UPDATE: The players were dismissed from the football team and also placed the four players on interim suspension “effective immediately, pending further investigation and/or a hearing.” None of the four will be permitted to return to campus without permission from the office of student conduct and academic integrity.
“The well-being of our students is of paramount concern to us, and we will not tolerate any actions that threaten student safety and security,” Beth Fortune, Vanderbilt vice-chancellor for public affairs, said in a statement.
How very SEC of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
A report leaked out late Friday afternoon that 4-Vanderbilt football players are suspended from the team pending the results of a police investigation that link them with sex crimes.
Metro Nashville Police wouldn't identify the players or specify the crimes other than to say that they were notified by Vanderbilt police on Wednesday of an incident that may have involved the players took place in a school dormitory.
The school, nor coach James Franklin added anything of detail, citing the "Ongoing Investigation" line.
Read the full story from the Tennessean.com RIGHT HERE
We await the outcome of this investigation because really, it is the 1st time something like this has happened and involved Vanderbilt in as long as we can remember.
The Commodores, long an SEC doormat, have had a revival in the past couple of seasons after the arrival of head coach James Franklin.
We would not go as far to say the school is attracting a "different" type athlete than they have in the past, but things have changed for the Nashville based school. A $31 million dollar new indoor football facility, 2 straight bowl appearances have the markings of a program on the rise.
Your TV story from our friends at Newschannel 5 (WTVF) in Nashville:
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
SATURDAY UPDATE: The players were dismissed from the football team and also placed the four players on interim suspension “effective immediately, pending further investigation and/or a hearing.” None of the four will be permitted to return to campus without permission from the office of student conduct and academic integrity.
“The well-being of our students is of paramount concern to us, and we will not tolerate any actions that threaten student safety and security,” Beth Fortune, Vanderbilt vice-chancellor for public affairs, said in a statement.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Easy Money: Vandy Rolls NC State in Music City Bowl
What is it that people say about ACC Football? Soft? Horrible?
How about just plain lost. That is the only way to describe how Vanderbilt so utterly dominated a horribly self-destructive team from North Carolina State.
And the funny part of it. At some point NC State believed they could hire Vandy's James Franklin to be their head coach after they fired Tom O'Brien. Oh, Franklin got a contract extension in Nashville instead.
No, not an SEC coach in their right mind, with a winning record, would ever leave the SEC for the ACC in football, never.
That being said, Vandy rode 2 Jordan Rodgers TD passes and 5 NC State turnovers to a relatively easy 38-24 win in the Music City Bowl Monday afternoon. Zac Stacy added 107 yards and Vanderbilt finishes this season with a solid 9-4 record
Your highlights from the Bowl leader, ESPN:
How about just plain lost. That is the only way to describe how Vanderbilt so utterly dominated a horribly self-destructive team from North Carolina State.
And the funny part of it. At some point NC State believed they could hire Vandy's James Franklin to be their head coach after they fired Tom O'Brien. Oh, Franklin got a contract extension in Nashville instead.
No, not an SEC coach in their right mind, with a winning record, would ever leave the SEC for the ACC in football, never.
That being said, Vandy rode 2 Jordan Rodgers TD passes and 5 NC State turnovers to a relatively easy 38-24 win in the Music City Bowl Monday afternoon. Zac Stacy added 107 yards and Vanderbilt finishes this season with a solid 9-4 record
Your highlights from the Bowl leader, ESPN:
Sunday, November 18, 2012
DEVELOPING: Derek Dooley Done... Dave Hart Was Complimentary, Though...
Not that this is a surprise, especially after the losses to Missouri in Knoxville and Vanderbilt last night...
A very handy Vandy win at that, 41-18...
Here is a statement from Derek Dooley and from the school on the firing...
The University of Tennessee announced today that Derek Dooley will not return as the head football coach of the Vols. The announcement was made by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart, who will immediately begin a search for a new head coach for the Vols.
Hart will address the media at 2 p.m. today (Sunday, Nov. 18) at the Stokely Family Media Center at Neyland Stadium. The press conference will also be streamed live on UTSports.com.
"We very much appreciate the effort and energy that Derek Dooley and his staff have poured into our football program at the University of Tennessee," said Hart. "Derek and I met early this morning, and I informed him that I believed a change in leadership, despite the positive contributions he has made to the overall health of the program, was in the best long-term interests of Tennessee football. We will immediately begin the search for the best possible candidate to assume this leadership role."
Dooley will not coach the Vols in the season finale against Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 12:21 p.m. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will serve as interim head coach for Saturday's game.
"I am sorry we could not generate enough wins to create hope for a brighter future," said Dooley. "Although progress was not reflected in our record, I am proud of the strides we made to strengthen the foundation for future success in all areas of the program.
"During the last 34 months, I've given my all for Tennessee, and our family appreciates all this University and the Knoxville community has given us."
Here was Dooley after the worst loss to Vandy since 1923...
((HT: WVLT-TV Knoxville))
WVLT VOLUNTEER TV Knoxville, TN:
UPDATE: Here was AD Dave Hart talking about Dooley only being able to bring a knife to a gunfight...
((HT: WBIR-TV Knoxville))
A very handy Vandy win at that, 41-18...
Here is a statement from Derek Dooley and from the school on the firing...
The University of Tennessee announced today that Derek Dooley will not return as the head football coach of the Vols. The announcement was made by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart, who will immediately begin a search for a new head coach for the Vols.
Hart will address the media at 2 p.m. today (Sunday, Nov. 18) at the Stokely Family Media Center at Neyland Stadium. The press conference will also be streamed live on UTSports.com.
"We very much appreciate the effort and energy that Derek Dooley and his staff have poured into our football program at the University of Tennessee," said Hart. "Derek and I met early this morning, and I informed him that I believed a change in leadership, despite the positive contributions he has made to the overall health of the program, was in the best long-term interests of Tennessee football. We will immediately begin the search for the best possible candidate to assume this leadership role."
Dooley will not coach the Vols in the season finale against Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 12:21 p.m. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will serve as interim head coach for Saturday's game.
"I am sorry we could not generate enough wins to create hope for a brighter future," said Dooley. "Although progress was not reflected in our record, I am proud of the strides we made to strengthen the foundation for future success in all areas of the program.
"During the last 34 months, I've given my all for Tennessee, and our family appreciates all this University and the Knoxville community has given us."
Here was Dooley after the worst loss to Vandy since 1923...
((HT: WVLT-TV Knoxville))
WVLT VOLUNTEER TV Knoxville, TN:
UPDATE: Here was AD Dave Hart talking about Dooley only being able to bring a knife to a gunfight...
((HT: WBIR-TV Knoxville))
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