DEVELOPING: And The Aggie GA Is Fired

That didn't take long...

In a two-paragraph apology, Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin has dismissed grad assistant Michael Richardson for his two shots on West Virginia players in yesterday's Liberty Bowl in Memphis:

From George Schroeder's Twitter:

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has permanently dismissed student assistant Michael Richardson for striking WV player. pic.twitter.com/qaxaop3zt9

— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) December 30, 2014

For those of you under a rock, here are the two plays that got Richardson in hot water

DEVELOPING: Black Monday Begins: Ryan and Idzik Fired

((HT: NJ.com/SNY))

Surprising no one, really, Black Monday begins with a dual firing in New York with both head coach Rex Ryan and GM John Idzik being shown their walking papers.

Owner Woody Johnson has long been known for wanting to clean house and he went two levels on a team that seemed ill-fitted to compete in the AFC- until yesterday with their fun performance and win over the Miami Dolphins

Here's his game ball presentation


And his addressing the media after the game


The HQ anticipates their will be further action in Chicago, Atlanta, and the actions in San Francisco

More when we know more...

Sports Talk Station Shuts Down, Host Find Out On The Air...

((HT: Deadspin/Youtube))

This is NOT the way to find out you're out of a job...

Over Twitter...

While you're on the air...
It happened while 87.7 The Game's "Quigs and Finfer" show was going on in Chicago on Thursday.

Here's Quigs and Finfer's response while they were on the air...

And it's uncomfortable...


The next six weeks will be very interesting on the air up there...

The HQ gives respect to them for not cussing while their discussion was ongoing...

Muschamp Speaks

Here's Will Muschamp's statement following his dismissal as head coach at Florida.

“I appreciate the opportunity that has been offered to me and my family by Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and the University of Florida,” said Muschamp. “I was given every opportunity to get it done here and I simply didn’t win enough games – that is the bottom line. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get it done and it is my responsibility to get it done.

“I have no bitter feelings, but this is a business and I wish we would have produced better results on the field. We have a great group of players and a staff that is committed to this University and this football program. They have handled themselves with class and I expect them to continue to do so. As I’ve said many times, life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond.”

Whoa! Just came out of church to the News of Will Muschamp being fired at #Florida. That's a BIG TIME JOB OPENING. And the carousel begins.
— Rachel JOY Baribeau (@RachelBaribeau) November 16, 2014

Will Muschamp fired. Knew he was in trouble when Florida lost to Kentucky for the first time in like 30 years. pic.twitter.com/d9cQB6TzXa
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) November 16, 2014

Defense wins championships? Will Muschamp would like to disagree with you. Lack of an offense is getting him fired.
— alpha1906@gmail.com (@alpha1906) November 16, 2014

DEVELOPING: Coach Boom Gets Lowered At Florida

The only thought was: WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG, JEREMY FOLEY???!!!

What the entire world thought was going to happen after the Missouri fiasco finally happened after the South Carolina fiasco...

Here's the sheer, shocking end to the game that gifted the Gamecocks the win...
((HT: SDS/SEC Network))


Which led to this...
((HT: GoGamecocks))


And this postgame commentary...


Now, the next questions are twofold:

Does Jeremy Foley even survive this...???
And, as put forth by TBH: Would Muschamp like to be Auburn's defensive coordinator...???

Will Muschamp had proven himself to be a solid Number Two, but a Shaky Number One...

What happens with his resume next will be an interesting subplot to the shenanigans in Gainesville...

And the irony that the Ess-E-Cee Network is showing the Sakerlina-Florida game right now has not escaped the HQ...

Hey, Florida, we know someone who can fill the opening for a few weeks...

"The Fixer" for Florida's Problems...???

Charles Grant Fired From Bowie State For Alleged Incident With Student

((HT: TMZ Sports))

Here's the video just so you see what now-former Bowie State LB Coach and Assistant DC Charles Grant was getting in trouble over


Grant was fired...

“The Department of Athletics has zero tolerance of behavior that violates the University’s core values and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes,” the school said in a statement.

The incident occurred on October 30th and had been under investigation by Bowie police since.

There's a Difference Between "Coach Boom!" And "Coach, Boom!"

((HT: Saturday Down South))

Missouri is making some kind of a point tonight in Gainesville in their blowout of the Gators on Homecoming!

The HQ doesn't quite know what it is- whether they REALLY need help with their offense as they go forward or Florida is just GAWD AWFUL!

It came to this, however, when a defensive touchdown sent people flooding out into the streets...


According to some of OSG's sources, Muschamp is going to be fired on Monday morning. Some folks might like to see Athletics Director Jeremy Foley to go after Muschamp as well.

But the other issue is Mizzou's offense...

Florida picked up 200 yards of offense in the third and fourth quarter when the game was out of hand, but the Tigers only had 119 yards of TOTAL offense- relying on a pick 6, a kickoff return, a punt return, a fumble recovery, a rushing score and 2 field goals...

So there's that...

Wojcik Fired From College of Charleston After Abuses Investigation

((HT: WCIV-TV Charleston))

College of Charleston head coach Doug Wojcik was fired from his position after two separate investigations centered around alleged abuses of basketball players during practices and games.

The college had suspended Wojcik for the entire month of August and required him to undergo counseling and behavior monitoring.

"I am writing today to let you know I have made the decision to terminate Head Men's Basketball Coach Doug Wojcik's employment at the College of Charleston for just cause, pursuant to the terms of his contract, effective immediately," school president Glenn F. McConnell said in a statement.

Wojcik, in a statement through his attorney, thought the school didn't go about their investigation in a proper manner:

"The College became so desperate to invent a reason to fire Coach Wojcik that it had some of the young men on the basketball team sign sworn affidavits, which we believe contain materially false statements. The College even got one of the incoming freshmen, who has never even played for Coach Wojcik, to swear under oath that he was physically abused by Coach Wojcik. The College's so-called second investigation was so focused on finding a way to avoid its contractual obligations, that the College completed the investigation and began termination proceedings against Coach Wojcik without even looking at the video of the incidents of alleged physical abuse. We were forced to release the video to the public to show that there was no physical abuse. There are many other examples of the College's attempt to create a reason to avoid its contractual obligations. They will come out at the appropriate time."

Here's Scott Eisberg with defense from Wojcik and his attorneys before today's dismissal
WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

Sounds like Wojcik is far from done in a legal sense...

AD Joe Hull will be responsible for the program for the foreseeable future.

OSG High BREAKING: Dallas ISD Fires 15 After Recruiting Scandal

((HT: DallasNews.com/Haag-Hobbs))

The Dallas Independent School District’s Professional Standards Office launched an investigation into possible illegal recruiting practices after the March 24 death of Wilmer-Hutchins basketball player Troy Causey. Madison basketball player Johnathan Turner has been charged with killing him during a fight.

They were living under the same roof, but neither were living in the district of the school that they were attending to play high school basketball.

In May, DISD officials placed the two head coaches — John Burley, from Wilmer-Hutchins High School, and Roderick Johnson, from Madison High School — on administrative leave during the internal investigation.

After the Causey death, his mother came forward to explain how this all came to be.
Brett Shipp investigated
((HT: WFAA-TV))
This afternoon DISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced a boat-load of firings as a result. 11 employees in total- coaches, assistant coaches and staff from the schools were fired after the investigation. 10 of the employees were terminated for falsifying documents. The eleventh employee was fired for "improperly obtaining and sharing student records." Four members of the central office with "direct responsibilities in the area" were also "relieved of their duties." The names were not released by Miles at the time of his presser because the firings were still happening- this being the last day of the school year. "... the district is submitting a letter to the University Interscholastic League today to self-report the findings of the investigation." Miles said in a release. "Players at two of our schools were ineligible to participate in UIL-sanctioned games but still played. It will be up to the UIL State Executive Committee to determine any action, including the possible forfeiture of games that may be required of us."
The HQ thinks both schools are in trouble in that regard...

More when we know more...

BREAKING: Jim Rutherford Hired, Dan Bylsma Fired

((HT: Louis Jean's Twitter via TVA))

That didn't take long...

The same day that Jim Rutherford was hired as the new General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dan Bylsma was fired as head coach. It was an odd set from the end of the season when the Pens ownership group decided to fire GM Ray Shero and not Bylsma when the team was bounced from the playoffs prematurely by the Montreal Canadiens.

Three weeks ago...
Here's the talk at the time with TSN's Bob McKenzie
((HT: NHL.com))


So, Bylsma got to twist in the wind and not have the opportunity to look for other work...

Nice work, y'all...

More when we know more, but it now looks like Bylsma becomes the front runner for the Florida Panthers job.

Torts Fired In Vancouver After One Year

((HT: Sportsnet))

Surprising no one, really, John Tortorella was fired after one year coaching in Vancouver...

But the "Hockey Central" guys think that one night against the Flames may have done the deal...

And the HQ would agree...
It's all on Trevor Linden now...

DEVELOPING: Washington Capitals Fire Coach and GM

Big changes are afoot for the floundering Washington Capitols hockey team.

The Caps, who feature one of hockey best players, Alexander Ovechkin, did not make the playoff this season.

And the casualties for that underachievement, team G.M George McPhee and coach Adam Oates were fired Saturday morning by team owner Ted Leonsis.

McPhee ran the team for 17-years and the team did have some success, winning some conference titles and making the playoffs 10-times.

As for Oates, he coached the team 2-seasons. This year the team was 38-30, but that was only enough to get them to 9th in an 8-team playoff system.

It seems to be the beginning of the new "next round" of changes to benefit Alex Ovechkin and the group of entertaining underachievers. Chuck Gormley and Jill Sorenson discuss the future...
((HT: CSNWashington))

Hoffner Wrongfully Terminated, Will Return To MN-Mankato

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

In August of 2012, Todd Hoffner was escorted off the practice field at Minnesota-Mankato and placed under arrest for having child pornography images on his school-issued cell phone.

Three months later, a judge dismissed the charges saying the videos were nothing more than images of his children playing in their house after a bath.

That didn't change Mankato's mind. The school suspended Hoffner for 20 days and then reassigned him to a desk job before firing him in May of 2013. He had been hired as the coach at Minot State, but after an arbitration, he will return to Mankato to coach his old school and old team.

Minot understands Hoffner's decision:

Here's the latest on Hoffner returning to Mankato
KMSP-TV

Mankato, obviously, didn't say a lot with the arbitor's decision, but they did put out a statement:

"We extend our apologies to Mr. Hoffner and deeply regret the difficulties he and his family have experienced.
"It is our sincere hope that all concerned can now find ways to move forward."

Moving forward may include a civil response by Hoffner, but that isn't know at present...

DEVELOPING: Trotz Dismissed In Nashville

((HT: NHL))

The only head coach the Nashville Predators have ever had has been let go...

After fifteen seasons, but not making the playoffs in the last couple Barry Trotz was dismissed from the position. He was offered a position in hockey operations for the franchise.

From the team:

“Our organization has high expectations and we have not met them in the past two seasons,” Poile said of making the most difficult decision of his 30-plus year general manager career. “As a result, it is my decision and determination that we need a new voice and a new direction. Our change in direction began over a year ago as we have made several personnel changes, including trading of long-time veteran players and a change to our coaching staff last offseason. Our goal is to return to the playoffs with the ultimate goal of contending for the Stanley Cup. We know that once we get into the playoffs, anything is possible.

“I also want to thank Barry for everything he has done for our franchise. He has been the face and voice of our team for 15 years. He created, developed and lived The Predator Way – on the ice, in the office and in the community. There could be no finer ambassador for the Predators or Nashville than Barry Trotz. He has laid a foundation and culture that will benefit the next coach of the Nashville Predators.”

The Preds only made it past the first round of the playoffs once, and it will be interesting to see who the team chases after for the head coach opening.

Ironically, here's a little feature that the league itself put together on Trotz about a month ago describing what his life is like as a coach in the National Hockey League...


The team could lose up to six players to free agency- Spaling, Eaves, Ellis, del Zotto, Ekholm, and Hutton. They were within 4 million or so of the salary cap and it will be a good barometer on the franchise as to how they bring players in with the new head coach...

Philosophy will be everything to see how the team moves forward...

OSG Prem: Arsenal Slide Continues, Liverpool Wins Grinder (BREAKING: Hughton Sacked At Norwich)

((HT: BPL/NBCSN))

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners...

The team had only won 3 of their last ten, and needed to do something... ANYTHING!!! at Goodison Park against Everton to keep their tenuous hold on 4th place and the last Champions League spot for 2014-15. But it didn't work out that way...

At all...


In the other Sunday game, it's the response that your team has when you're not at your best that may decide your drive at the end of a very long road...

It was obvious that Liverpool didn't have it all Sunday, But what they did have was enough good fortune- whether given by the officials or not- to get a hard-fought 2-1 win at West Ham United.


Here's the table to date

1 Liverpool 33 74
2 Chelsea 33 72
3 Man City 31 70
4 Arsenal 33 64
5 Everton 32 63

BREAKING: And in, possibly, one of the dumbest ideas ever in the history of ever...

Norwich, who really should be worried about being relegated, decided to sack manager Chris Hughton with immediate effect:

Neil Adams, the team's under-18 manager, is now in charge for one of the nastiest gauntlets to finish a season the HQ can think of in any kind of memory- recent or otherwise...

"...the Club would like to place on record it's sincere thanks to Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope for all of their hard work on behalf of the Club since they took over in June 2012.

Chris's achievement in guiding City to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last season was an excellent one and he has represented the Club with dignity throughout his tenure.

However the recent run of four defeats in our last six Premier League games and six consecutive away league defeats, left the Club with no choice but to act, with five games still to play in the current campaign.

Those five games...???

Fulham at Craven Cottage, home to Liverpool, at Man United, at Chelsea, and home to Arsenal
Yeah... good luck on that...

You're Hired, You're Fired... After A Few Hours...

((HT: KFBB-TV))

The University of Great Falls (Montana) hired a gentleman by the name of Todd Brittingham as their new Sports Information Director and Marketing Director yesterday. By dinner time, he wasn't the SID/Marketing Director...

UGF said they did a background check, but his criminal conviction in Kansas wasn't a part of their search results.

The local paper, the Great Falls Tribune, revealed in Jesse Geleynse's piece that:

"Brittingham was convicted in 2012 in McPherson, Kan., of endangering a child and furnishing alcohol to a minor, both misdemeanors.

He pleaded guilty to those charges in November 2011, and in exchange, four felony charges of unlawful sexual relations against him were dropped, according to The Associated Press. He was sentenced to one year of probation and a six-month jail sentence that was suspended.

Joe Biega is explaining the kerfuffle...
KFBB.com News, Sports and Weather

Gary Ehnes, the AD at UGF, was understandably stunned thinking that the information he found was all the information he needed and the references Brittingham gave had his back- which they, probably, did...

It's just another case of making sure when you're making sure...

Looks Like Mike Gillis Gives Himself One More Year

((HT: Sportsnet))

The trade the HQ talked about behind the bench before the New York Rangers-Vancouver Canucks game involving Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella has now moved from the idiot stage to the stage where it looks like Torts is on a short clock.

Daniel Sedin has done the captainly thing and taken blame for the season that has gone sideways. Injuries have played a big part of it as they've made a 6-point hole for themselves in the wild card with five games to go.

It isn't looking good for GM Mike Gillis, but as GM's can do... they can blame others before they take the blame themselves. A coaching change will move things along a season at a time as a last ditch move.

But it will only buy Gillis a year with the Aquilini brothers...

Dan Murphy discusses with "Hockey Central"

Boston College Fires Steve Donahue As Head Basketball Coach

Boston College will be looking for another men's basketball head coach.  Steve Donahue was fired by the school after four years.

After careful deliberation, I have decided to make a change in our men's basketball program. Grateful for Coach Donahue's contributions.
— Brad Bates (@BCBradBates) March 18, 2014

Donahue's record at Boston College was 54-76 overall, 22-44 in the ACC 

This move is not a surprise.  Boston College was picked ninth in the ACC pre season poll and many thought this program was on the rise.  

Instead the season ending knee injury sustained by center Dennis Clifford handicapped the Eagles and they struggled to a 8-24 record and 4-14 in the ACC and a next to last finish.

If Boston College athletic director Brad Bates had B.C. alum Bruce Pearl in mind he can forget about that.  Pearl has accepted the Auburn head coaching position.

Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker seems to be the leading candidate for the head coaching position.  Amaker has an ACC pedigree playing for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke.

“There’s no rush to make the hire,” Boston College athletic director Brad Bates said. “It’s a long-term decision. We need to move as quickly as possible but be deliberate in terms of the timing of the process.”

Virginia Tech Fires James Johnson As Head Coach

James Johnson, Former VT Head Coach

Whit Babcock has been Virginia Tech's athletic director for only a month and a half and has already made a big coaching move with the Hokies.

James Johnson was fired after two years as the Hokies head basketball coach.

“I want to thank Coach Johnson for his dedication and hard work for our university and our 
basketball program over the past seven years,” Babcock said. “A change of this significance affects many people and is never taken lightly, but I felt a change and a new direction was necessary for the long term, best interest of our department.”

Johnson became head coach after then Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver fired Seth Greenberg. Johnson was on Greenberg's staff for five years.  It was a highly questionable decision by Weaver two years ago.

This year the Hokies finished one of its' worst season's in program history going 9-22 overall and 2-16 in the ACC.
VCU head coach Shaka Smart might be on Babcock's crosshairs or at least Hokie fans hope that is the case.  

Cincinnati's Mack Cronin may be another possible candidate regarding his ties to Babcock,  The two worked together when Babcock was athletic director at Cincinnati.

Bruce Pearl's name I'm sure will come up but that's as far as that goes.

One name that might build traction is Danny Manning at Tulsa.  If the Golden Hurricane win a few games in the NCAA Tournament Manning might be a hot commodity.  Would this be the ACC opening that Manning might be interested in?

Let the coaching carosel spin.

OSG Prem: I Quit, No, You're Fired...

((HT: SkySports))

Nicolas Anelka, it cannot be debated, that when he's on... he's on...

A tremendous scorer who can also be a tremendous headache...

Evidenced by his short-lived time at West Brom... after a move on a scored goal in late December, his time was even shorter-lived...

BBC Newsnight caught up with David Baddiel about the "quenelle" salute Anelka gave...


And, then, caught up with Dieudonne himself back in February...


West Brom gave conditions for his reinstatement- which were later revealed to be an apology to everyone and accept a fine.

Anelka then took to his Twitter account to announce he was leaving and terminating his contract on his own "with immediate effect."

The club, then, decided it wasn't Anelka's move to make and sacked him...

Their statement:

"Nicolas Anelka's purported termination of his Premier League contract this evening via Social Media was invalid as this was not conducted under the correct legal process as required by his contract.

"The club considers the conduct of Nicolas Anelka on December 28, coupled with his purported termination on Social Media this evening, to be gross misconduct.

"As a result the club has tonight written to Nicolas Anelka giving him 14 days' notice of termination as required under his contract."

West Brom, as a footnote, picked up a major three points in a win at Swansea to get a little further away from relegation...