College Football Week – Preseason 1: Are we at two-a-days yet?
Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!

From casinos in Oklahoma, to popping bottles of champagne, to angry and frustrated tweets, to NBA basketball games, to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, to posing with Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, to concerts in Canada, to Cabo San Lucas, to MLB baseball games, to golfing at Pebble Beach, to parking tickets, to more angry and frustrated tweets, to appearances in country music videos, to being sent home from camp, to the ESPYs, to pleading guilty to a misdemeanor, to attending University of Texas fraternity parties, to alcohol counseling and therapy – all in seven months.     

No, I’m not talking about Lindsay Lohan or Charlie Sheen.  I’m talking about Johnny Football, who in the past seven months has been acting more like Johnny Goofball, Johnny Freefall, Johnny Airball and Johnny Outlaw. 

What an off-season it has been for Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel – never a dull moment.  The kid is definitely full of himself.  He’s no “Johnny Angel.”  Sometimes he makes you want to say, “Johnny be good.” 

Earlier this summer, Manziel, along with Texas quarterback David Ash, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and others were invited counselors at the annual Manning (Archie, Peyton and Eli) family quarterback passing camp.  But Manziel didn’t make it through the week.  The Mannings sent him home before the camp was over.

It seems that Manziel failed to make it to the morning meetings at the camp.  He was sleeping in.  Manziel told reporters the battery on his smart phone expired and the alarm didn’t go off.  To which ESPN college football commentator Paul Finebaum responded, “What 20-year-old lets the battery expire on his smart phone?”  Others hinted that Manziel’s late night drinking and partying was the reason for his oversleeping.  Whatever, the Mannings sent him home.

A few weeks later, Texas coach Mack Brown made hay of the incident.  Speaking at a Gridiron Kickoff luncheon in Austin, Brown told the crowd that Longhorn quarterback David Ash was a “great counselor” at the Manning passing academy. 

It’s well-known, that growing up in Texas, Manziel was always a Longhorn fan – not an Aggie fan.  He wanted to play quarterback for Texas.  But Brown never offered Manziel a scholarship.    
    
Manziel, however, still prefers Austin over College Station.  Last spring, he tweeted
“I can’t wait to leave College Station.”  Then in Cabo San Lucas in March, he was photographed sporting a fake Texas Longhorn tattoo. 

When Manziel wants to party, he goes to fraternity parties at Texas.  He was thrown out of a frat party at the University of Texas on a Friday night in late July.  Then Manziel turned up the next night at another frat party in Austin, wearing a Tim Tebow jersey.  This after some in the sports media wrote and said he should be “more Tebow-like.”

Poor Johnny Manziel.  Well, no, he’s not poor.  Manziel comes from a wealthy Texas oil family.  They wallow in their money.  From many accounts, his parents are often just as immature as he is.  Maybe Manziel is just a spoiled brat.  Maybe he is just a spoiled rich kid, who just happens to be a damn good quarterback and a Heisman Trophy winner – a freshman Heisman Trophy winner none-the-less, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

In spite of his behavior, many Texas A&M fans think the media has been too harsh on Manziel.  They believe he has been unfairly criticized and scrutinized, saying the media needs to give Manziel some space – he’s just a kid.  If anything, the fans think Manziel should stand up to the criticism.  They are singing:        

Oh Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
You’re the best damn quarterback A&M’s ever had
We want a brave man, we want a cave man
Johnny, tell us that you care, really care for the Aggies

A.J.’s bringing his Crimson Tide to town
You’ve got to put those Bama boys down
So, Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
You can party later after Alabama’s been had

Now, it has been reported that Manziel is being investigated by the NCAA for selling autographed memorabilia and collectibles to brokers.  Manziel doesn’t deny that he signed the items, but contends that he was never paid for his autograph.  Should the NCAA find proof that he was paid, then Manziel may have to sit out several games, if not the entire season.

What?  Didn’t Brenda Lee tell Aggie fans, “that he’s known as Johnny One Time?”

Chances are Manziel won’t have to sit out any games.  NCAA investigations are not known for being expeditious.  But on a newer note, Manziel’s parents have put their College Station home up for sale.  This was a spare house they purchased two years ago to live in while they were in College Station for football games.  Could this be Manziel’s last year playing for the Aggies?  Stay tuned.

Manziel’s bizarre behavior during the past seven months leads me to believe that it is the result of one of two things: (1) Manziel thrives on this type of lifestyle.  It drives and feeds him to be more competitive.  He’ll have another great season in 2013; or (2) This is a situation where Manziel has been collapsing under the stress and pressure of his status and he will be a disaster in 2013.  One thing is for sure: you just know those SEC defenses will be targeting him this season.  It won’t be easy.

If the Aggies beat Alabama on September 14 in College Station and Manziel goes on to have another great season, then Texas A&M fans will be singing:

“When Johnny comes marching home again
Hoorah! Hoorah!”

If not, then Aggie fans might be saying: “Johnny we hardly knew ye”

Meanwhile, with all the running around and traveling Manziel was doing from January to May, I’m just trying to figure out when he had time to go to class.  Yeah, I know – online classes.

All Aggies are crazy about that Johnny lad
Although, he’s been very, very bad
Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!

Touchdown Tom
August 12, 2013
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Quotes of the Off Season (from January to August)

“It’s about education and we’ve got to help Johnny and the family with the transition into being a Heisman award winner.  There are things you have to learn and we have to help them with that,” Texas A&M athletic director Eric Hyman, telling Johnny Manziel and his family to behave themselves. 

“No institution is living a bigger lie than Notre Dame,” Fox Sports writer Jason Whitlock.

“Muschamp coached under the devil himself for seven years.  I only did three,” Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis, referring to Alabama coach Nick Saban.

“Devilish Nick Saban doesn’t deserve an apology from UF.  On behalf of the University of Florida, I would like to apologize for the apology the university issued to Alabama football coach Nick Saban,” Orlando Sentinel columnist George Diaz.

“The fathers are holy on Sunday, and they’re holy hell on the rest of the week.  You just can’t trust those damn Catholics on a Thursday or a Friday,” Ohio State president Gordon Gee, on Notre Dame.

“The top goal is to make certain that we have institutions of like-minded academic integrity.  So you won’t see us adding Louisville.  We wouldn’t be adding Kentucky either,” Ohio State president Gordon Gee, on future Big Ten expansion.

“You tell the SEC when they learn to read and write, then they can figure out what we’re doing,” Ohio State president Gordon Gee, on comments from SEC fans that the Big Ten doesn’t count.

“Best idea I’ve heard for solving the Washington Redskins’ nickname controversy.  Instead of making the team change its nickname, why not just change the logo to a redskin potato?,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Let’s see if I’ve got this straight: Rutgers fires its basketball coach for abusing his players and then hires an AD who was once a coach who abused her players?  This is the most incompetent case of collegiate hiring since Tennessee fired Phil Fulmer and gave his job to Lane Kiffin,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Someone was saying to me, ‘Well, you know, Bret Bielema leaving….that was a blessing for Wisconsin.’  He was under tremendous pressure.  They didn’t like him.  Barry Alvarez thought he was a thug.  And he left just ahead of the sheriff,” Ohio State president Gordon Gee, on former Wisconsin coach (now Arkansas coach) Bret Bielema.

“The addition of Maryland and Rutgers will give the Big Ten 40 to 50 million more viewers and make the Big Ten Network worth more money than God,” Ohio State president Gordon Gee.

“What do I know about college football?  I look like Orville Redenbacher.  I have no business talking about college football,” Ohio State president Gordon Gee.

“What do the moon and Texas A&M have in common?  They both control the Tide,” Texas A&M athletic director Eric Hyman.

“Bullshit like tonight is a reason why I can’t wait to leave College Station,” Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

“SEC Media Days: If it’s July, it must be circus time,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“In both situations, we were turned in by Ohio.  We didn’t do anything wrong.  The University of Florida didn’t do anything wrong.  And so we appreciated our friends from Ohio making sure we’re compliant with NCAA rules.  They certainly know a little bit about that subject,” Florida coach Will Muschamp, on Ohio State reporting Florida to the NCAA, claiming the Gators had violated NCAA rules.  (Note:  The NCAA investigated and found no substance to Ohio State’s claims.)

“How much does current Florida Gators football coach Will Muschamp dislike former Gators coach Urban Meyer?  Well, let’s put it like this: He dislikes him so much, Muschamp wouldn’t even mention Meyer or Ohio State by name at the Southeastern Conference Media Days,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“It was sort of quiet.  I thought it would be louder.  I looked around the room at 9:30 and half of them had already left.  I said, ‘Where did everybody go?’,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, on his 50th high school reunion this summer.

“You can see in his eyes that he is scared of our D-line.  He is scared every time we play them,” South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, on Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd.

“In a matter of months, Johnny Football has transformed into Johnny Freefall.  His popularity is plunging to a point where he has become the Lindsay Lohan of college football,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, on Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

“I’m still a sophomore in college.  I’m still going to do things that everybody in college does, and I’m going to continue to enjoy my life.  Hopefully, people don’t hold me to a higher standard than that,” Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, responding to his off-field antics.  

“I would hope that I’m a better passer than Tim Tebow,” Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

“He is not on the hot seat.  I’m behind Lane Kiffin one hundred percent.  I have great confidence in him.  He’s a very hard-working, detail-oriented coach.  He’s a dynamic play-caller in my estimation and he’s an exceptional recruiter. He knows USC and he knows what it takes to be successful here,” USC athletic director Pat Haden, when asked if Kiffin was on the hot seat this season.

“UGA has only three things going against them: Richt, Boo Boo and Fatboy Grantham,” an anonymous on-line responder to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.


The Quarterbacks – 2013

There is not a shortage of good, talented and exciting quarterbacks in 2013.  College football is loaded with them.  However, five quarterbacks headline the position at preseason.  They are Texas A&M sophomore Jonny Manziel, Ohio State junior Braxton Miller, Alabama senior A.J. McCarron, Louisville junior Teddy Bridgewater and Clemson senior Tajh Boyd.

Manziel (6-1, 200) not only passed for 3,706 yards in 2012, but he also rushed for 1,410 yards – the leading rusher in the SEC.  The Aggie quarterback averaged 395 yards-per-game in total offense.  He completed 68 percent of his passes, while throwing for 26 touchdowns.  The Buckeyes’ Miller (6-2, 215) is also a runner.  In addition to passing for 2,039 yards last year, he rushed for 1,271 yards.  Miller threw for 15 touchdowns and completed 58 percent of his lobs.

McCarron (6-4, 214) led the SEC in passing efficiency last season, throwing for 2,933 yards.  He completed 67 percent of his passes and threw for 30 touchdowns.  And just as impressive, he only threw three interceptions.  Bridgewater (6-3, 220) passed for 3,718 yards, averaging 286 yards-per-game.  He completed 68 percent of his throws, passing for 27 touchdowns. 

And finally, Boyd (6-1, 225) led the ACC in passing efficiency in 2012, lobbing for 3,896 yards, averaging 273 yards-per-game.  He threw for 36 touchdowns and completed 67 percent of his passes.

Looking around the country, the SEC has the most impressive list of quarterbacks returning in 2013 – nine starters back to reprise their 2012 performances.  In addition to Manziel and McCarron, Georgia senior Aaron Murray and South Carolina senior Connor Shaw are the top two.  Murray (6-1, 210) was second in passing efficiency in the SEC last year, while Shaw (6-1, 204) was third.  Murray passed for 3,893 yards, completing 64 percents of his throws, and Shaw threw for 1,956 yards, completing 67 percents of his passes.

Ole Miss returns junior Bo Wallace (6-4, 204), Miss State has senior Tyler Russell (6-5, 220) back and Florida has junior Jeff Driskel (6-4, 236) returning.  The impressive list is complete with LSU senior Zach Mettenberger (6-5, 230), and Missouri senior James Franklin (6-2, 230).  Before leaving the SEC, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a backup quarterback who established himself last year – South Carolina junior Dylan Thompson (6-3, 212).  The Gamecocks are blessed with two good quarterbacks.

After the SEC, I’m impressed with a solid and exciting group of six quarterbacks returning in the Mountain West Conference.  The group is led by San Jose State senior David Fales (6-3, 220) and Fresno State senior Derek Carr (6-3, 210).  Last year Fales passed for 4,193 yards and 33 touchdowns, completing 72 percent of his throws.  Meanwhile Carr threw for 4,104 yards, 37 touchdowns and completed 67 percents of his passes. 

Two more top-notch quarterbacks in the group are Nevada junior Cody Fajardo (6-2, 210) and Utah State junior Chuckie Keeton (6-2, 200).  Fajardo not only passed for 2,786 yards but he also rushed for another 1,121 yards.  Keeton threw for 3,373 yards, leading the Aggies to an 11-2 season.  Completing the group in the MWC are Wyoming junior Brett Smith (6-3, 195) and Boise State senior Joe Southwick (6-1, 202).  One more talented quarterback returning in the MWC is UNLV sophomore Nick Sherry (6-5, 235).       

The Pac-12 has a talented corps of seven quarterbacks back in 2013.  Leading the group are three sophomores – Oregon’s Marcus Mariota (6-4, 211), UCLA’s Brett Hundley (6-3, 227) and Stanford’s Kevin Hogan (6-4, 220).  Mariota led the Pac-12 in passing efficiency last year.  He also rushed for 752 yards.  Hundley passed for 3,740 yards, and Hogan completed 72 percent of his passes.

Oregon State has not one, but two excellent quarterbacks – senior Cody Vaz (6-1, 202) and junior Sean Mannion (6-5, 214).  Both saw action last season.  Arizona State junior Taylor Kelly is a top passer – 3,039 yards in 2012, and Washington is in good shape at quarterback with senior Keith Price (6-1, 202).

The Big Ten has a number of good quarterbacks in addition to Braxton Miller.  For starters, there is Nebraska senior Taylor Martinez (6-1, 210).  Last year Martinez passed for 2,871 yards and rushed for another 1,019.  Northwestern is blessed with two top quarterbacks – senior Kain Colter (6-0, 190) and junior Trevor Siemian (6-3, 210).  Colter had 894 yards rushing in 2012.

Michigan junior Devin Gardner (6-4, 210) led the Big Ten in passing efficiency last season, while Illinois senior Nathan Scheelhaase (6-3, 200) was the runner-up.  Michigan State senior Andrew Maxwell (6-3, 209), Indiana junior Cam Coffman (6-2, 203) and Minnesota sophomore Philip Nelson (6-2, 222) all have the talent to make some big noise in 2013.              

Next to Tajh Boyd, the ACC’s two best quarterbacks may be North Carolina senior Bryn Renner (6-3, 215) and Miami senior Stephen Morris (6-2, 214).  Last season Renner passed for 3,356 yards, 28 touchdowns, completing 65 percents of his throws.  Morris passed for 3,345 yards. 

Three more quarterbacks to keep an eye on in the ACC are Virginia Tech senior Logan Thomas (6-6, 257), Boston College senior Chase Rettig (6-3, 213) and Wake Forest senior Tanner Price (6-5, 205).  Florida State has an up-and-comer in redshirt freshman Jameis Winston.  Big things are expected from Winston this season.

The Big 12 Conference enters the season short on big-name quarterbacks.  However, three Big 12 schools each have two talented quarterbacks with experience.  TCU has senior Casey Pachall (6-5, 230) and sophomore Trevone Boykin (6-2, 215).  Pachall, the former starter, returns to action after a year away from the team.  Boykin was the starter last year.  Texas is loaded at quarterback with junior David Ash (6-3, 228) and senior Case McCoy (6-2, 200).  Ash passed for 2,699 yards last year, completing 67 percent of his throws.

Oklahoma State is in good shape with senior Clint Chelf (6-1, 210) and sophomore J.W. Walsh (6-2, 205).  Both saw action in 2012.  At West Virginia, the question is: Will Florida State transfer and junior Clint Trickett (6-3, 185) beat out redshirt freshman Ford Childress and junior Paul Millard (6-2, 219) for the starting position?  Stay tuned. 

The MAC, as always, has several exciting quarterbacks, led by Northern Illinois senior Jordan Lynch (6-0, 216).  Last year, Lynch led the MAC in both passing efficiency and rushing.  He passed for 3,138 yards and rushed for another 1,815.  Lynch directed the Huskies to a 12-2 season in 2012.  Right behind Lynch are Ohio senior Tyler Tettleton (6-0, 200) and Toledo senior Terrance Owens (6-4, 205).  Tettleton passed for 2,844 yards last year and Owens had 2,707 yards passing. 

Three other MAC quarterbacks with experience who could make some noise this year are Bowling Green senior Matt Schilz (6-3, 220), Massachusetts sophomore Mike Wegzyn (6-5, 215) and Eastern Michigan junior Tyler Benz (6-3, 215).

The two top quarterbacks in C-USA are Marshall junior Rakeem Cato (6-0, 182) and East Carolina junior Shane Carden (6-2, 218).  Cato was impressive last year passing for 4,201 yards, 37 touchdowns, completing 69 percents of his lobs.  Carden threw for 3,116 yards, completing 66 percent of his passes.  UAB has two experienced quarterbacks in sophomore Austin Brown (6-1, 208) and senior Jonathan Perry (6-2, 210). 

Three more experienced quarterbacks in C-USA are UTSA senior Eric Soza (6-0, 205), Florida International junior Jake Medlock (6-3, 220) and Middle Tennessee senior Logan Kilgore.  Three who could turn up the heat are Rice senior Taylor McHargue (6-1, 215), North Texas senior Derek Thompson (6-4, 220) and Tulsa senior Cody Green (6-4, 247).       

In addition to Teddy Bridgewater, the AAC sports a solid quarterback in UCF junior Blake Bortles (6-4, 227).  Bortles threw for 3,059 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.  Along with Bortles, look out for Rutgers junior Gary Nova (6-2, 225).  Cincinnati has two experienced quarterbacks in senior Brendon Kay (6-4, 233) and senior Munchie Legaux (6-5, 197).

Connecticut, SMU and Houston each have solid and experienced quarterbacks in junior Chandler Whitmer (6-1, 195), senior Garrett Gilbert (6-4, 223) and junior David Piland (6-3, 192) respectively.  And finally, two more AAC quarterbacks to keep an eye on are Memphis senior Jacob Karan (6-0, 205) and Temple senior Chris Coyer (6-3, 230).

The Sun Belt has three quarterbacks who have made a name for themselves and will create more excitement in 2013.  They are Louisiana-Lafayette junior Terrance Broadway (6-2, 205), Louisiana-Monroe senior Kolton Browning (6-1, 203) and Troy senior Corey Robinson (6-2, 209).  Last year Broadway passed for 2,842 yards and rushed for another 769.  Browning threw for 3,049 yards and rushed for 488.  Robinson had 3,121 yards passing.  Two other Sun Belt quarterbacks who could make some noise this year are South Alabama senior Ross Metheny (6-3, 205) and Georgia State sophomore Ben McLane (6-1, 210).

Among the Independents, there are two quarterbacks of note.  They are Navy sophomore Keenan Reynolds (5-11, 199) and Notre Dame senior Tommy Rees (6-2, 210).  Reynolds led Navy with 898 yards passing and 649 rushing in the Middies triple option offense.  Meanwhile, Rees is back in the saddle again in South Bend.

TT’s Top Ten Favorite Quarterbacks at Preseason:

1. A.J. McCarron – Alabama
2. Braxton Miller – Ohio State
3. Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M
4. Teddy Bridgewater – Louisville
5. Tajh Boyd – Clemson
6. Taylor Martinez – Nebraska
7. Jordan Lynch – Northern Illinois
8. Marcus Mariota – Oregon
9. David Fales – San Jose State
10. Rakeem Cato – Marshall

And keep an eye on:

Derek Carr – Fresno State; Tyler Tettleton – Ohio; Aaron Murray – Georgia; Bryn Renner – North Carolina; Cody Fajardo – Nevada; Brett Hundley – UCLA; Kain Colter – Northwestern; Shane Carden – East Carolina; Connor Shaw – South Carolina; Stephen Morris – Miami (Florida); Chuckie Keeton – Utah State, and Keith Price – Washington.

Also, Zach Mettenberger – LSU; Casey Pachall – TCU; Devin Gardner – Michigan; Kevin Hogan – Stanford; Terrance Broadway – Louisiana-Lafayette; Terrance Owens – Toledo; Kolton Browning – Louisiana-Monroe; Clint Chelf – Oklahoma State; Blake Bortles – UCF; Jeff Driskel – Florida; Matt Schilz – Bowling Green; Bo Wallace – Ole Miss, and David Ash – Texas.


The New Coaches – 2013

Thirty-one schools will begin the 2013 season with new head coaches.  Fourteen of the new mentors were existing head coaches who made the jump from one school to another.  Among the 14, there are some big and well-known names in the coaching ranks – Tommy Tuberville, Bret Bielema, Skip Holtz, Butch Jones, Gus Malzahn, Steve Addazio and Sonny Dykes.  That group has some pretty good pedigree and some pretty good experience.

Tuberville, a onetime Ole Miss and Auburn head coach, is the new chief at Cincinnati.  He made the jump to Cincy from Texas Tech.  Or was it an escape?  Bielema, who coached Wisconsin to a 68-24 record in 7 seasons in Madison, is the new head man at Arkansas.  That move shocked many in the football world.  Holtz, who was canned at South Florida at the end of last season, found a new life at Louisiana Tech.  The son of Lou Holtz, Skip is also a former head coach at Connecticut and East Carolina.

Jones is the new coach at Tennessee.  He left Cincinnati where he coached the Bearcats to a 23-14 record in three seasons.  Prior to Cincy, Jones was the head coach at Central Michigan for three seasons, compiling a 27-13 record.  After a year’s absence, Malzahn returns to Auburn where he had been the Tigers’ offensive coordinator.  Last year Malzahn coached Arkansas State to a 10-3 season.

Addazio begins a new career at Boston College, after coaching Temple for two seasons, compiling a 13-11 record.  He was previously an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for Urban Meyer at Florida – and not a very popular offensive coordinator at that.  Dykes takes over at California, having made the jump from Louisiana Tech where he was 22-15 in three seasons with the Bulldogs.  Dykes is the son of former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes.    

The other seven head coaches who made the jump to another school are all young, up-and-comers, moving up the ladder.  Two of the biggest moves were made by Gary Andersen and Dave Doeren.  Anderson left Utah State to become the coach of Wisconsin.  At Utah State, he was 26-24 in four seasons.  But last year, Andersen coached the Aggies to an 11-2 season.  One of the two losses was by only two points to Wisconsin.  Doeren is the new coach at N.C. State.  He previously coached Northern Illinois for two seasons where he compiled a 23-4 record.  Last year he coached the Huskies to an 11-1 season and a berth in the Orange Bowl.  The one loss was to Iowa, 18-17.     

Mike MacIntyre is the new head man at Colorado, after coaching San Jose State for three seasons where he compiled a 16-21 record.  Last year San Jose State finished 11-2.  Darrell Hazell takes over the reins at Purdue, moving up from Kent State.  In two seasons coaching the Golden Flashes, Hazell was 16-10 – an impressive 11-3 last year.  The new coach at South Florida is former Western Kentucky coach Willie Taggart.  Taggart was 16-20 in three seasons at WKU.  

Ron Caragher is the new head coach at San Jose State.  Caragher coached the University of San Diego for six seasons, compiling a 44-22 record.  He succeeded Jim Harbaugh at San Diego when Harbaugh left to take the job at Stanford.  And finally, Trent Miles assumes the duties at Georgia State.  Miles made the move from Indiana State where he was 20-36 in five seasons coaching the Sycamores.
   
Two of the new head coaches this season are back in the saddle again, following a period of absence.  And both were controversial selections.  The new coach at Western Kentucky is none other than Bobby Petrino.  Petrino is a former head coach at Louisville, the Atlanta Falcons and Arkansas.  He was fired from Arkansas prior to the 2012 season, after his motorcycle romp with a volleyball player.  I can’t imagine any parent wanting their child to play for Petrino. 

The other strange selection was Ron Turner at Florida International.  Turner has a record of 42-69 after one year at San Jose State and eight years at Illinois.  But he has not been a head coach since 2004, the year he was fired at Illinois.  Most recently, Turner was the quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Seven of the new head coaches this season were most recently offensive coordinators.  Three of them are remaining at the same school as they step up to the top position.  Mark Helfrich is the new coach at Oregon, formerly the OC for the Ducks.  Matt Wells takes over the reins at Utah State where he had been the OC.  Likewise, Doug Martin moves up from the OC slot to head coach at New Mexico State.

Kliff Kingsbury returns to his alma mater where he was once the quarterback.  Last season, Kingsbury was Johnny Manziel’s offensive coordinator at Texas A&M.  This season he is the head coach at Texas Tech.  Ted Monken is the new coach at Southern Miss.  He was the OC at Oklahoma State.  Brian Harsin, formerly OC at Texas, is the new coach at Arkansas State.  Paul Petrino, brother of Bobby, is the new coach of Idaho.  Last year Paul was the OC at Arkansas.

Three new coaches were defensive coordinators last year.  Perhaps the most well-known of the three is Mark Stoops, who left the DC slot at Florida State to become the head coach at Kentucky.  Mark is the brother of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.  Scott Shafer remains at Syracuse, moving up from DC to head coach.  And Paul Haynes, formerly DC at Arkansas, is the new coach of Kent State.

Three new coaches made the jump from offensive line coach to head coach.  Former Pittsburgh Steelers OLC Sean Kugler is the new coach at UTEP, and former New York Giants OLC Matt Rhule is the new coach of Temple.  Meanwhile, Rod Carey stays at Northern Illinois, stepping up from the OLC slot to head coach.

Brian Polian is the new coach at Nevada.  Last season, Polian was the special teams coach at Texas A&M.  And finally, P.J. Fleck is the new head coach of Western Michigan.  He was the wide receivers coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs.  At 32, Fleck is the youngest coach in FBS college football.

All 10 conferences and two of the Independents have new head coaches this season.  C-USA (Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and UTEP) and the SEC (Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee) have the most at four each.  The AAC (Cincinnati, South Florida and Temple), ACC (Boston College, N.C. State and Syracuse), MAC (Kent State, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan), MWC (Nevada, San Jose State and Nevada), Pac-12 (California, Colorado and Oregon) and the Sun Belt (Arkansas State, Georgia State and Western Kentucky) all have three new head coaches.

The Big Ten (Purdue and Wisconsin) and the Independents (Idaho and New Mexico State) each have two new head coaches.  The Big 12 (Texas Tech) only has one new head coach.


Coaches on the Hot Seat – 2013

There are a number of coaches, perhaps as many as 25, who are entering the season in a precarious position.  Win and they are fine.  But finish the season with a losing record and they are likely to be banished from their lofty coaching spots.

After having four of its coaches dumped at the end of 2012, the SEC should hold onto most all of its coaches this season.  Most all that is except for one – Missouri’s Gary Pinkel.  Pinkel is definitely on the hot seat in Columbia.  He is 90-61 after 12 seasons coaching the Tigers – not bad.  But the going has been tough recently. 

Likewise, the coaches in the AAC (formerly the Big East) appear to be secure in their jobs in 2013.  All that is except for one – Connecticut’s Paul Pasqualoni.  After two seasons with the Huskies, Pasqualoni is a cool 10-14.  He needs to finish 2013 with a winning record.

The ACC stands to lose three coaches at the end of the year, depending on how the ball bounces for each of them.  Heading the list is Maryland’s Randy Edsall – 6-18 in two seasons.  The Terps need to finish on the positive side for Edsall to hang onto his job.  Not far behind Edsall is Virginia’s Mike London.  In three seasons, London is 16-21 with the Cavaliers.  He needs a booster shot this season. 

Starting to teeter in Winston-Salem is Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe.  Although a popular coach with some early success, Grobe has been slipping lately.  His record at Wake is 73-74 after 12 seasons.  The patience of Demon Deacons fans is wearing thin.  Grobe can feel the heat.

The Big Ten has three coaches withering on the vine – Minnesota’s Jerry Kill, Indiana’s Kevin Wilson and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz.  Kill and Wilson have been with the Gophers and Hoosiers respectively for two years each.  Kill is 9-16 and Wilson is 5-19.  Anything short of a winning season in 2013 is curtains for both.  Ferentz has had some success at Iowa, but not much lately.  He is 100-74 in 14 seasons with the Hawkeyes.

A fourth Big Ten coach – Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio – isn’t really on the hot seat per se, but there is some warmth building in East Lansing.  Dantonio has been a better-than-average to good coach – 51-28 in six years, but he never has brought home the bacon.  Some Spartans fans are getting a little antsy.
           
Two coaches are feeling the heat in the Big 12 – Iowa State’s Paul Rhoads and Texas’ Mack Brown.  Short of a winning season, Rhoads will be gone by December.  He is 24-27 in four years with the Cyclones.  Then there is the Texas situation.  Brown has been sputtering a bit of late.  And he ain’t getting any younger.  Although 150-43 in 15 seasons with the Longhorns, Brown could use a banner season.

In the Pac-12, two coaches are teetering on the high wire and a third is feeling some heat on the rise.  The teetering coaches are USC’s Lane Kiffin and Washington’s Steve Sarkisian.  Trojans fans demand the best and they haven’t been getting that from Kiffin.  Entering his fourth season, Kiffin is 25-13 in Troy.  Although athletic director Pat Haden says he’s got Kiffin’s back, he’ll be backing Kiffin out the door if 2013 isn’t a good season.

Steve Sarkisian took over the Washington program, promising to get the job done.  After four seasons, he is only 26-25 with the Huskies.  That’s not quite getting the job done.  Sarkisian better hope he gets lots of wins in 2013.  Then there is some heat building on Kyle Whittingham at Utah.  In the Mountain West Conference, Whittingham couldn’t lose.  But since the Utes have been in the Pac-12, he can’t win.  Whittingham is a very respectable 71-32 after eight seasons in Salt Lake City.  But the recent years haven’t been so respectable.

Speaking of the Mountain West Conference, UNLV’s Bobby Hauck and Wyoming’s Dave Christensen may be experiencing their last season in the MWC.  After four years in Las Vegas, Hauck is a measly 6-32.  That’s not cutting it.  Although Christensen has done better at 22-28 in four seasons, he’s been up and down – no consistency.  If either Hauck or Christensen has a losing season in 2013, they are off to the happy hunting ground – gone.

The MAC, which often loses good coaches to higher-profile schools, could lose four coaches this year due to lower-profile performances.  The MAC coach in the biggest danger is Eastern Michigan’s Ron English.  A 10-38 record after four seasons doesn’t cut the mustard.  The other MAC coaches in jeopardy are Central Michigan’s Dan Enos, Buffalo’s Jeff Quinn and Miami’s Don Treadwell.  Enos and Quinn are 13-24 and 9-27 respectively – both after three seasons.  Treadwell is treading the water at 8-16 in two years with the RedHawks.

Two coaches need some help in C-USA – North Texas’ Dan McCarney and Marshall’s Doc Holliday.  McCarney is 9-15 after two years, and Holliday is 17-20 in three seasons with the Herd.  Holliday has had some success, but he hasn’t been consistent.  Herd fans are expecting a lot in 2013.

The Sun Belt has two coaches on the border line – Texas State’s Dennis Franchione and Troy’s Larry Blakeney.  Granted, Franchione has guided Texas State from FCS to FBS, but he needs a winner this season.  Franchione is 23-23 in four years with the Bobcats.  Blakeney, a legend at Troy, has fallen off the horse of late.  Troy hasn’t been the Troy it used to be.  With a 168-99-1 record in 22 seasons, Blakeney’s armor probably can’t be penetrated yet, but a losing record this season could cause some rumblings.

Among the Independents, only Army’s Rich Ellerson is in any kind of trouble.  In four years, Ellerson is 17-32 in West Point.  But, perhaps worse, in four years he has not beat Navy.  He must beat Navy in 2013 or else.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Former Florida quarterback Chris Leak is a graduate assistant coach on Will Muschamp’s staff this season.  Leak will help coach the Gators offense….  Former Florida defensive end Duke Lemmens has also been named a graduate assistant coach for the Gators.  Lemmens will help coach the Florida defense.

Stan Wilcox, a former sports administrator at Notre Dame and Duke and a former deputy commissioner of the Big East Conference has been named the new athletic director at Florida State…. LSU and Wisconsin have agreed to play two neutral site games.  The first game in 2014 will be played at Reliant Stadium in Houston.  The second game in 2016 will be played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin….  Alabama and Wisconsin are scheduled to meet at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on September 5, 2015.

After five years at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, the Military Bowl is moving to Navy’s Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, this year….  Frank Beckman, the “Voice of Michigan Football” announced his retirement, effective at the end of this season.  Beckman has been doing the radio play-by-play for Michigan football games since 1981, when he took over the position from the legendary Bob Ufer. 

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but as the summer was winding down and college football fans were anticipating the start of another exciting season, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1943 was “You’ll Never Know” by Dick Haymes

…65 years ago this week in 1948 was “Woody Wood-Pecker” by Kay Keyser

…60 years ago this week in 1953 was “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You)” by Les Paul and Mary Ford

…55 years ago this week in 1958 was “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson

…50 years ago this week in 1963 was “So Much In Love” by The Tymes

…45 years ago this week in 1968 was “Hello, I Love You” by The Doors

…40 years ago this week in 1973 was “The Morning After” by Maureen McGovern

…35 years ago this week in 1978 was “Miss You” by The Rolling Stones

…30 years ago this week in 1983 was “Every Breath You Take” by The Police

…25 years ago this week in 1988 was “Roll With It” by Steve Winwood

…20 years ago this week in 1993 was “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by UB40

Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there were three passings of note last week – Art Donovan, Karen Black and Eydie Gorme. 

Art Donovan, a 300-pound tackle for the Baltimore Colts, whose talent propelled him to the Hall of Fame and his team to two championships in the 1950s, died last week in Baltimore.  He was 89.  Donovan’s humor-laced tales about himself and the game of football also made him a celebrity.  He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.  Arthur James Donovan Jr. was born June 5, 1924 in New York City.  He played at Notre Dame for one year before enlisting the Marines and fighting in the South Pacific.  After the war, he played for Boston College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1950.  Following his retirement from pro football, Donovan owned liquor stores and the Valley Country Club in Baltimore.  He was also a popular sports commentator on local radio stations.

Karen Black, an actress whose rolls in several signature films mostly in the 1970s, died last week in Los Angeles.  She was 74.  The cause was cancer.  Black’s movies included “Easy Rider” (1969), “Five Easy Pieces” (1970), “Drive, He Said” (1971), “Portnoy’s Complaint” (1972), “The Great Gatsby” (1974), “Airport 1975” (1974), “Rhinoceros” (1974) “Nashville” (1975), “The Day of the Locust” (1975), “Family Plot” (1976) and “Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” (1982).  She also made guest appearances in several television shows.  Karen Blanche Ziegler was born in Park Ridge, Illinois on July 1, 1939.   

Eydie Gorme, a popular nightclub and television singer as a solo act and as a team with her husband Steve Lawrence, died Saturday.  She was 84.  Gorme, who also had a huge solo hit in 1963 with “Blame it on the Bossa Nova,” died at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, following a brief illness.  She and Lawrence were married in Las Vegas in 1957.  Gorme had another big hit in 1964 with “Amor” which was recorded in Spanish.  Edith Gormezano was born on August 16, 1928, in New York City.  She grew up speaking English and Spanish.