Sports Illustrated Article on Ohio State Football Exposes Jim Tressel, Program

From Larry Brown Sports

Jim Tressel resigned from his job as head football coach at Ohio State Monday morning, knowing fully well neither he nor the university would be able to face the media after the contents of Sports Illustrated’s report were revealed. SI had reporters George Dohrmann and David Epstein collaborate on a special that digs deeper into the existing issues we knew about Ohio State (read the entire report here).

The Buckeyes were already punished for having six players trade memorabilia for tattoos — a violation of NCAA rules. On top of that, the hookups players had with a car dealership had come under scrutiny based on Terrelle Pryor’s driving record. The words of former Ohio State basketball player Mark Titus corroborated the reports that Buckeyes football players were getting hookups at a dealership (also a violation of NCAA rules). Now we’re left with a more in-depth look at the blatant rule-breaking going on at Ohio State.

In short, SI refutes in such indisputable detail the notion that the merchandise-for-tattoo trades were limited to a select few members of the football team. That defeats Ohio State’s first defense argument where they tried to pin the actions on an isolated few members of the team. Additionally, they expose Jim Tressel as a fraud. Tressel built a reputation as a man of integrity over his ten years at Ohio State. He was someone who preached religious values and respect. Yet this is the same coach who lied to the NCAA and lied to school investigators.

Army to play in Armed Forces Bowl

Army has accepted a bid to compete in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 30 at SMU‘s Ford Stadium. SMU could turn out to be Army’s opponent.

The Mustangs play Saturday at Central Florida in the Conference USA Championship. If they win, they’ll likely be headed to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Dec. 31st. If they lose, staying home for a bowl could be a very real option. The bowl is being held at Ford Stadium while TCU’s Amon Carter Stadium undergoes renovations.

The Black Knights haven’t played in a bowl since 1996.

Organizers report that the bowl is officially a sellout – though that includes ticket allotments that each competing team will be responsible for selling.

It’s that Reunion time of year!

  The state of Texas is right on the verge of a seasonal change. I can feel it in the air, and there are several indications as to why I know summer is about to end.

The Cowboys are in the pre-season, the Rangers are in the last 1/3 of their season (and still in first place I might add), Wal-Mart is advertising back-to-school and tax-free weekends. Yeah, it’s all shaping up to be a great seasonal change. I took the garbage out earlier and it didn’t feel like I was walking into an oven when I stepped outside. The Grand Prairie AirHogs’ season has a week left on it. So long to all of my friends at QuickTrip Park, and I mean that.

This upcoming week, my old Army unit will be congregating in San Antonio for an Army Reunion. The First Infantry Division will be gathering by the river to welcome back troops that served in that glorious unit. I’m looking forward to it.

Then, in early September, I will be going to my home town to my high school reunion. Hooo Boy. Supposed to be the “greatest reunion in the history of Sweetwater Texas!” Hoooochie momma!!!!

I have to get ready for fall classes. Hope I can afford the books.

There’s one other sign that the seasons are changing here in Texas. High school football starts this week. Looking forward to reuniting with everything that brings fall weather again.

The red-headed step children that are the Big 12 Conference

Hoo boy, what a week it’s been for the Big 12 Conference.

Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott emerged from the final day of conference meetings Sunday and announced that university presidents and chancellors have given him all the authority he needs to expand the Pac-10.

“What direction that process takes still could go in different directions, everything from remaining as we are as a Pac-10 that’s got some very bright days ahead of it to a bigger conference footprint,” Scott said. “I have the authority to take it in different directions, depending on various scenarios and discussions we’re going to have.”

What does it all mean? It means the Big 12 Conference is about to split again, and possibly some teams going to the Pac 10, or all teams going to the Pac 10, or some teams going to the Big 10, and on and on it goes. No one knows for certain where this will all end up. But apparently, Nebraska holds a lot of cards for some reason.

Saturday Scattershooting

April 24, 21010

Good Saturday morning world!

It’s the best day of the week for me. I have time to sit down with a cup of coffee and collect my thoughts that get stored in my head throughout the week, but I never have time to write about at that time.

Thanks for stopping by, I know there are millions of things to read, so I’ll get right to the point with my thoughts.

How bout those Cowboys huh? Dez Bryant and Sean Lee. Everyone keeps asking the question “what about left tackle?” I would imagine Jerry already has that question answered. The Cowboys already have Doug Free, but remember, this is an unrestricted cap year in the NFL, which means Jerry can go buy anyone he wants in the free agent market place. Owners can spend as much as they want, there is no cap. Watch what happens after this draft is over. The fun will just be starting.

I’m starting a new group to see if there is an interest by writers who want to network and exchange ideas. The group is called “Starving Writers” and I have started a page on Facebook for the group. I find it hard to really think of myself as of writer, but the fact is, I’ve been doing this blog for a few years now, and I like writing, so I guess I can consider myself as a writer. Pretty sure there are tons of folks like me out there so we’ll see how this group goes. Let’s hope we can get some people interested in it but I’m somewhat sceptical as I haven’t seen many people comment on this blog, but we’ll see. I’m sure there are people out there that write poetry, short stories, interest in many things, so let’s see if we can stir that interest in joining a group. The reason I call the group Starving Writers is most writers that are starting out and are passionate about writing, very seldom get paid. We do it because it’s interesting and it’s like a second nature to us. It’s like a starving artist kind of thing. There is talent and desire, we just don’t get paid for it. That’s ok, we don’t need the money to do what we like to do. So, we’ll see how it goes.

I’m very thankful my stress test came back ok. It was huge in fact for me to realize I’m ok. I hadn’t realized how worried I was about myself that I caused myself more harm than good. The plain truth is, I worried too much and dwelled on it too much. After the stress test, I went out last night and had some chicken wings and boy, were they good. It was a far cry from the rice and beans I had been eating to make sure I hadn’t been eating any fat.

Some other rambling thoughts:

Will Tiger and his wife get divorced?

Will the Texas Rangers ever get sold?

How will the Dallas Mavericks feel if they lose in the 1st round to San Antonio?

How long will it take before Deadspin.com to get sued?

I’m about to go do some Saturday chores. Thanks for reading my blog, and come back soon!

It’s Friday, and time for the winter version of Hawaiian Shirt Friday

It’s Friday and normally it’s time for Hawaiian Shirt Friday, but since we are in the middle of winter wearing Hawaiian shirts is a little out of context. I was having my usual morning coffee when I came across the video below and wondered how a group of South Korean girls could be interested in Iowa football? Maybe you can leave a comment as to the attraction because I certainly don’t know. (All kidding aside, this video is blowing up on YouTube so I thought I would post it).

Hawkeyes capture massive Koran teen girl demographic in music video (Black Heart Gold Pants)

The Leach-Texas Tech story takes a turn for the bizarre

I don’t understand a lot of things in life, I’ll admit that. But I have a serious problem when two different stories that are taking the same path have entirely different results. Follow along with me.

1) Texas Tech Wants Lawsuit Thrown Out ESPN is reporting that Texas Tech is wanting the suit against them thrown out from ex-coach Mike Leach claiming that “state law gives the university immunity from legal action.” 

The university contended Leach is barred from suing the university without a waiver of sovereign immunity from the Texas Legislature.

Huh?

You mean a state university in Texas is immune from wrongful termination? Just asking.

And then this:

2) James threatened to sue over Leach Both reports appeared on ESPN today. This particular story says :

The father of injured Texas Tech receiver Adam James threatened to sue the university if it didn’t investigate then-coach Mike Leach, according to a memo released Wednesday.

Texas Tech University System attorney Ronny Wall wrote in the Tuesday memo to the Texas attorney general that the threat came during a Dec. 20 exchange with James’ father, ESPN sports analyst Craig James. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal obtained a copy of the memo in response to an open records request.

“The threat did not appear to be an idle threat as the parent expressed genuine concern for the health and well-being of his injured child, as well as other student-athletes,” the memo continued.

James spokesman Scott McLaughlin issued a statement late Wednesday saying James never threatened to sue Texas Tech.

“Further, Texas Tech initiated its investigation of its own accord,” he said.

I’m confused. On one hand Texas Tech appears to fire Leach for fear of being sued by James, and then when Leach trys to sue, Tech trys to hide behind the fact that they are a state university? Doesn’t this look like a conspiracy against Leach? Seriously. Doesn’t it? Wow, talk about different strokes for different people. I didn’t think law was supposed to work that way.

James threatened to sue over Leach (ESPN)

Texas Tech wants lawsuit thrown out (ESPN)

It’s time for a Hog update and other tidbits.

Are you tired of winter yet? I am. So when I start to feel that claustrophobic feeling, I start thinking about baseball. The Great Game.

I became a fan of the minor league team the Grand Prairie Airhogs. They play pretty close to my home, and they are cheaper than the Rangers, although I hope to attend a lot of their games this year as well.

That said, I noticed that the Airhogs have hired one of my favorite ex-Rangers in Curtis Wilkerson.

The Grand Prairie AirHogs announce the addition of former Major League infielder, Curtis Wilkerson to its coaching staff. Wilkerson, who played ten seasons in the Major Leagues (1983‐1993) will join the ranks of former Texas Ranger teammate Pete Incaviglia, who is entering his third season as the AirHogs’ manager.

“I’m excited to be joining Pete and the AirHogs organization,” Wilkerson said, “I can’t wait to get to work and am looking forward to a successful season.”

Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 4th round of the 1980 draft, Wilkerson was named the Rangers’ Rookie of the Year in 1984. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1988, where he played two seasons, and later spent time with both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals before retiring in 1993.

After ending his playing career, Wilkerson coached in both the Pirates and Royals organizations and managed in the Continental Baseball League. So it will be good to see Wilkie on the bench this year.

And what is this?

Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin is the surprise choice of Southern California to replace Pete Carroll as football coach, leaving the Volunteers after just one season. The hiring was announced by USC on Tuesday night, hours after Carroll was introduced in Seattle as coach of the NFL’s Seahawks.

Kiffin, 34, is a disciple of Carroll, serving on his staff from 2001 to 2006. In Kiffin’s last two seasons at USC, he was offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.

 ”This was not an easy decision,” Kiffin said at a brief news conference in Knoxville. “It happened very quickly.

I have a theory about a coach that moves so quickly after being on the job at a major college for a short time. Remember what happened to former TCU coach Dennis Franchione? Franchione built a successful program at TCU and was hired to coach at the University of Alabama. he was only there for a couple of years and then stood Bama up to take the job at Texas A&M and failed miserably. I think the thing that’s the common denominator is the programs may be in trouble. So we’ll see about how this story unfolds, but expect some kind of NCAA sanctions against Tennessee where Kiffin has coached for only 14 months.

The rumor is Tennessee is interested in Texas defensive coördinator Will Muschamp. We’ll see about that.

And what’s up with Tony Romo? I mean, does he get fired up imitating referee’s calls on the field? Check this out.

Time for another cup of coffee. Have a great day.

The Weekend Wrap-up 1/10/2010

There was so much to keep up this weekend, what with the Cowboys beatdown of the dirty birds yesterday.

I wanted to sort of wrap-up a truly large weekend and maybe spur some interest in getting some comments going here.

Did you know the Rangers actually signed Vladimir Guerrero?

The Rangers have reached an agreement with free-agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011, according to club sources.

The deal and an official announcement are pending a physical and Texas is hoping that will be completed on Monday. The salary is expected to be between $5.5 and $6 million with a $1 million buyout if the Rangers don’t exercise their option. Guerrero can opt out of the second year, but does not get the buyout.

Texas went into the offseason looking for a right-handed bat that could be a presence in the middle of its lineup. Guerrero was at the top of its list and the deal was finally completed this weekend.

This is going to be an awesome signing. Of course, even if he doesn’t do squat on offense, at least he won’t be part of the Angels killing the Rangers as he has always done in the past.

And I guess you heard what happened in Lubbock?  Tommy Tuberville is the new coach at Texas Tech. Good luck trying to repair a split Red Raider Nation.

And don’t look now, but the Dallas Cowboys are probably the hottest team in the league right now. I’m watching the Packers get burned in their game so yeah, I’m liking the Cowboys’ chances for a Super Bowl run. 

Dallas hasn’t trailed during its four-game surge and hasn’t been tied other than 0-0. The Cowboys are doing it with the basic formula for playoff success: a solid quarterback and a stingy defense.

Dallas has given up only 31 points the last 16 quarters, just four touchdowns in four games. And three of those games were against New Orleans and Philadelphia, the teams that scored the most and fifth-most points in the NFL this season. The Eagles had just 18 snaps in the decisive first half Saturday night, and they finished 2 of 11 on third downs.

So now it’s on to Minnesota. Meanwhile, enjoy some moves from LT. I think the term is Bustin a move. Thanks for reading the blog.

It’s a shame it had to end this way

It’s a shame it had to end this way. I’m not blaming anyone, it’s just a shame that you couldn’t have everyone healthy and in the game to decide the National Championship.

Alabama leads Texas 14-6 with about 7:00 left in the 2nd quarter but to me, the game is already over.

Colt McCoy is out with an injury. No one has said so, but I imagine it’s a separated shoulder because his dad was summoned from the stands to go in to the locker room. That can’t be good. They just announced McCoy would not return to the game, but say they are going to re-evaluate him at half-time, which makes no sense. If he had a chance to come back, that would have been a priority. It doesn’t sound like it is.

Too bad. Regardless of the outcome of this game, you would hope everyone would be healthy to play.

Darn shame. Texas had the momentum too.

Sometimes life and sports aren’t fair.