Christopher Walsh’s All Things CW notes column will appear in five parts this week, one each day as Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to host Auburn for the Iron Bowl.
That is …
take 5
The coaching carousel is looking a little crazier than usual this year, although it doesn’t seem like there will be as many changes as in recent years.
A big part of it has to do with that Lane Kiffinwho continues to incur unnecessary drama on a regular basis (to the point that he’s now being criticized for being a distraction and contributing to the last two defeats), and Deion Sanders, who’s in the mix.
But Charlotte has recently bucked the trend of being flashy, following the lead of Arkansas and Sam Pittman, a veteran offense coach who had only been a head coach at one place, Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
It hired Michigan assistant head coach Biff Poggi based on the recommendation of a few prominent names in college football, including Nick Saban.
Here’s the thing, Poggi never worked for Saban.
That speaks for their reputation.
“When we ended our conversation a couple of weeks ago he said, ‘Mike, I believe in him’ and Nick Saban doesn’t loosen those words,” sporting director Mike Hill told Richard Johnson sports illustrated. “That really impressed me because of the respect I have for Coach Saban. I know he’s not just throwing around words. And so his strong support was very important.”
Poggi, 62, is known for his organizational skills and down-to-earth attitude. As a high school coach, he had the sleeves of his shirts cut off.
Hill told Johnson Poggi accepted the job without asking about the salary, which is $1 million annually. The manager will donate around $500,000 of his own money to the football program.
“I am 62 years old. The worst thing you can do is die for your stuff with a U-Haul behind you,” Poggi said. “We’re quite charitable people and that’s why this is our new charity. We will do it like this.”
Charlotte is about to undergo a major cultural change.
Another confirmation from Saban
We told you weeks ago to keep an eye on Georgia Tech as a possible target for the offensive coordinator Bill O’Brienand that was before J battery was set off Greg Byre‘s inner leadership circle in Alabama will be the new athletic director in October.
According to FootballScoop, Saban O’Brien gave strong support for the head coach opening. Former assistant coach of Crimson Tide Brent key is also heavily considered after the team’s impressive performance since he became caretaker manager.
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Georgia Tech, which has had four quarterbacks this season, has won four games under Keys, including upsets against two ranked teams, Pittsburgh and North Carolina.
They’re not the only contenders, and with the early signing period fast approaching, look for something about to happen after Georgia Tech takes on Georgia this weekend (the Yellow Jackets need to pull off an upset to be eligible for the Bowl will).
Key applied for the position and is supported by former Yellow Jackets head coach George O’Leary, who had O’Brien as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech.
5 things that caught our attention this week
• Nike co-founder Phil Knight says the joy of collegiate athletics is being lost as the landscape continues to change with realignment. “These guys have their own vision, and it’s different from mine. It’s hard to get them to do anything else,” he told The Athletics. “It’s a real danger. We could end up with four leagues with eight teams, just like the NFL. Then what? … I’ve called a lot of people I know – sporting directors, conference commissioners – and I can say my overall impact so far has been zero. It’s a complete mystery to me. I’m not sure where this is going.” Meanwhile, regarding the company’s NIL approach, Knight says Nike will remain cautious.
• Pro Football Network reported that Miami has a $5 million “NIL arsenal” that they will use to attract top players entering the transfer portal.
• The parents of the late Stanford women’s soccer goaltender Katie Meyer have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university. ESPN reports: “At the time of her death, 21-year-old Meyer was facing disciplinary proceedings for allegedly spilling coffee on a Stanford soccer player who was accused of sexually assaulting a female soccer player. Meyer’s father said his daughter was defending the then-underage teammate. The lawsuit states that on the night of her death, Stanford “negligently and recklessly” sent her the formal disciplinary notice, which contained “threatening language regarding sanctions and possible ‘expulsion from the university.'” The lawsuit, in part: “Katie was a suicide without planning and solely in response to the shocking and deeply disturbing information she received from Stanford when she was alone in her room without any support or resources.
• Safety continues to be a growing concern as Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman got into a confrontation with San Diego State fans after Arkansas’ 78-74 win in the third-place play-off at the Maui Invitational. “It was just an Aztec fan coming down and saying some things. Words were exchanged.” Statement from the tournament on the small scuffle: “After the game tonight there was an isolated case. Security acted quickly and appropriately to immediately remove those involved from the arena,” the tournament said in a statement. However, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, “As Musselman was pulled from his staff, he dropped an ‘L’ with his flashing finger on his forehead — the sign of losers — and yelled, “Go (expletively) yourself, according to multiple witnesses.” He also appeared to be engaging with SDSU guard Matt Bradley, who knocked over a chair in anger. Fans soon flocked — including at least one parent of an SDSU player — from the stands onto the court and walked up to the Arkansas coaches, and security ushered them into their locker room.”
• The South Carolina Football Twitter account said it “fixed” Rocky Top with a remastered version of the song:
Did you notice?
Jeremy Pruitt paid Tennessee parents with cash in a Chick-fil-A bag, according to the report
Lane Kiffin asked if he would be returning to Ole Miss for the 2023 season
Michigan State’s Mel Tucker will receive an all-staff bonus, according to the report
See also:
Take 1: Biggest rivalry really not up for debate, Alabama-Auburn
Take 2: Should Bryce Young be there for the Heisman Trophy?
Take 3: College sports, they’re changing
Take 4: Alabama football used to be a Thanksgiving staple
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