Georgia's recruiting gets focused for 2012

The Bulldogs do pursue the big names, and if there’s any consensus on this class it’s that it’s good on big names. Georgia has garnered promises from the top players in Florida (offensive lineman John Theus) and North Carolina (running back Keith Marshall) but has, as of this writing, only 16 commitments. Which could, suggested Chad Simmons of Scout, be the reason for the disparity in the Bulldogs’ ranking.

Both Scout and Rivals.com have Georgia 21st nationally. ESPN tabs the Bulldogs fifth. “I’m not exactly sure how ESPN goes about it,” said Simmons, “but one thing that could put Georgia down is that they have only 16 commitments. Miami has 32, Alabama has 27, South Carolina has 25. It’s strictly a numbers game on the top end.”

According to Tom Luginbill, the former Tech quarterback who is ESPN’s national recruiting director, numbers are the least of it. “The difference between us and everybody else is that we don’t look at it as a mathematical equation,” Luginbill said. “We dissect the current rosters of the teams — where they’re devoid of talent, what they need to do to address needs and have they done it? … Our way doesn’t allow us to fall back on a numerical head count.”

In ESPN’s considered opinion, Georgia has filled needs nicely. Luginbill mentioned defensive tackles John Atkins of Thomson and Jonathan Taylor of Millen as fits “in the zero technique [meaning nose tackle]” for Todd Grantham’s 3-4 defense. And the addition of Marshall and Todd Gurley should offer depth at tailback, a position at which Georgia ran thin in 2011.

Landon Collins’ mom levels more accusations against Saban

April Justin, the mother of five-star recruit Landon Collins, has very publicly displayed her displeasure over her son picking Alabama over home-state LSU as well as accusing Nick Saban of “stereotyping” her during an in-home visit last summer. In an interview with a website called MomsTeam.com, Justin expounded on her distaste for the Tide as Collins’ choice, saying that “[Alabama] want[s] to redshirt – or greyshirt – him and they want him playing nickleback instead of safety. He is the top safety in the country and he will never play a game his freshman year.” At the choice of school for her son, LSU, “coach Les Miles is offering to play him as safety during his freshman year.”

“Nick Saban’s goals don’t meet the criteria of the family; they meet the criteria of Alabama,” Justin added.

Then there’s the “girlfriend” issue. Prior to Collins’ televised announcement earlier this month, there was reportedly a confrontation between Justin and the player’s girlfriend, Victoria Lowery, over the latter appearing on the stage for the announcement. In the interview conducted last week with the MomsTeam website, Justin claimed that Lowery, who is headed to Alabama as a student, had “allegedly been offered a job to work in head coach Nick Saban’s office.”

The intimation is, of course, that Saban and/or the Tide football program had committed an NCAA violation in order to land Collins as a member of its 2012 recruiting class.

Highly sought WR recruit gets big welcome at Missouri basketball game

There are certainly more than a few fans at Texas, Arkansas and Missouri who would be interested to know the intent of star wide receiver from Hillcrest HS (MO), Dorial Green-Beckham. Those three schools are considered to be the finalist for the No. 1 recruit in the country according to both Scout.com and Rivals.com, although DGB, as he’s affectionately known, has yet to tip his hand as to which school leads in his recruitment.

With signing day around the corner, next Wednesday, to be specific, DGB made one final visit, this time to home-state team Missouri at a basketball game against Texas Tech. The receiver was met with an adoring crowd, cheers and “M-I-Z-D-G-B” chants during the game.

Gator's Howard, Rainey compete in the 2012 Senior Bowl

Two Florida standouts, running back Chris Rainey and defensive tackle Jaye Howard, participated in the 2012 Senior Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Mobile, Ala. Rainey had just one rush for five yards in the game, but also contributed three kick returns for 60 yards and one punt return for 17 yards. Rainey drew praise from his South team coaches throughout the week for his playmaking ability, playing running back, wide receiver and return man. Howard saw time on the defensive line in the game, but defensive stats were not made available. Rainey and Howard were the 15th and 16th players in UF history to participate in the Senior Bowl. Their selections marked the third consecutive year Florida had been represented in Mobile. In 2009, Riley Cooper and Tim Tebow took part in the Senior Bowl and in 2010 Ahmad Black, Marcus Gilbert, Chas Henry and Mike Pouncey played in the annual contest.

Jaye Howard was the second defensive player and first defensive lineman to compete in the Senior Bowl for the Gators. Chris Rainey was the third running back to compete in the all-star game for UF.

Tennessee confirms hiring of new special teams/tight ends coach Charlie Coiner

Charlie Coiner will fill the same position as the one left by Eric Russell, as the innovative coaching veteran will direct Tennessee's tight ends and special teams, UT announced Friday in its official confirmation of the hire.

"Charlie has a diverse background in professional and college coaching, and he has had consistent success at both levels," Dooley said in a university release. "Charlie has also worked with several of our coaches, which will help make the transition and working dynamic seamless."

Coiner, 51, last coached in 2010 at North Carolina, where he filled in as a defensive line coach. He spent 2011 in Austin, Texas, where he started the software company 1stDown Technologies, which recently released an application for the iPad and iPhone that features 2,600 interactive plays used by football teams at all levels.

From 2001 to 2009, Coiner worked as a tight ends and special teams coach for the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills. His NCAA career has featured stops at Minnesota, Austin Peay, Vanderbilt, Texas Southern, Louisville, Chattanooga and LSU.

Former NFL player says ex-UGA coach duped him

Jim Donnan convinced Bell to invest the money in GLC Limited, a liquidation company that would buy appliances and furniture for resale, according to documents filed last month in U.S. Bankruptcy Court by Bell’s lawyers. Bell’s attorneys say Donnan, though, was the front man for a scam. Donnan has filed for bankruptcy protection and Bell has filed a claim in bankruptcy court to recover his money. Bell’s attorneys Michael Hanson and Brian Gwitt on Friday declined to comment on the case. Donnan’s lawyer Ed Tolley did not return a phone call and an email seeking comment but had said previously that the ex-coach was not involved in a scheme. Donnan has been entangled in a legal battle with the new operators of GLC, who have also accused the College Football Hall of Fame inductee of running an investment scheme for his own profit. Federal prosecutors have not charged Donnan. It wasn’t immediately clear whether federal authorities are investigating, and an FBI spokesman declined comment. GLC is being restructured in an Ohio bankruptcy court after filing for protection in February. The new operators were seeking to recoup what they said were improper gains Donnan received after convincing fellow college coaches and others to invest $70 million in an alleged Ponzi scheme. Donnan, who coached at UGA from 1996 to 2000 and is an ex-ESPN analyst, filed for bankruptcy protection in July amid GLC’s financial woes.

Gamecock's safeties coach, Jeep Hunter has been fired by Spurrier

South Carolina confirmed in a press release that Jeep Hunter will not return as the Gamecocks safeties coach in 2012.

The statement reads that head coach Steve Spurrier ”indicated that he felt the team needed a more experienced secondary coach and has decided to go in that direction.” Which direction will be is not immediately known.

“We wish Coach Hunter and his family the very best,” said Coach Spurrier.

New Ole Miss QB gets hit with underage possession of alcohol

Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace has only been on campus for a few weeks and he’s already found himself in some legal trouble. The early enrollee was cited last week for underage possession of alcohol at a local restaurant/bar, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports. Wallace, who originally signed with Arkansas State under Hugh Freeze in 2010, was issued a post-arrest citation. In a statement, Freeze said he was aware of the situation and “would handle it internally.” Wallace set national records for passing yards (4,604) and touchdowns (53) this past season at East Mississippi Community College and also had some interest from Texas.

Wallace is expected to compete right away for the starting QB job.

Recruiting trail leads Mark Richt to jail

Head coach Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo paid a visit to Harvey-Clemons Wednesday night, taking in a Baptist church service with the linebacker/wide receiver’s family. During the course of that service, Harvey-Clemons’ grandfather and legal guardian Woodrow Clemons, owner of a bail bondsman’s company, received a call that three individuals needed his services in order to get out of jail post-haste.

Harvey-Clemons and Clemons’ daughter, the player’s aunt, are also bail bondsmen and left church to go spring the individuals. Richt initially decided to stay but, after Harvey-Clemons’ aunt forgot her ID in a vehicle at the church, Harvey-Clemons’ uncle Roy Hart told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Coach Richt and Coach Bobo went to jail with my wife to take the ID to them. Coach Richt wanted one more time to talk with Josh before they hit the road. They talked at jail for about 20 or 30 minutes I guess.”

Ever the recruiter, Richt returned to the church following his trip to jail and, as he was saying the obligatory goodbyes, attempted to gauge where his program stood in its pursuit of Harvey-Clemons.

“Coach Richt said ‘Tell me Roy, how do we look with Josh?’” Hart said. “I said ‘Coach, you’re in the running. Nobody really knows except for Josh. He’s not saying much. He hasn’t made up his mind so nobody knows except for him.’ Then Coach Richt asked if Georgia was still looking good and if they still had an opportunity to get him. I assured him that they did.”

Auburn president approves move to replace trees at Toomer’s Corner if needed

Earlier this week, Auburn president Jay Gogue approved the recommendation from the Committee to Determine the Future of Rolling Toomer’s Corner (yes, that exists) that if the trees don’t survive, a temporary set-up will be created where fans can roll another object while new trees are planted. The recommendation came from a fan poll taken last year. The new trees would already be fairly large in size. If new trees are planted, it may be 3-5 years before they can “handle the stress” of being rolled. What would be rolled while the new trees are being planted is yet to be determined. But, dead or alive, the current trees at Toomer’s Corner could be rolled through 2012; after that, it’s less certain. Auburn’s Department of Horticulture has expressed doubts that the oak trees will last much longer than a year. A better assessment of the health of the trees will be taken in the spring.

The man accused of poisoning the oak trees, Harvey Updyke, is set to go to trial on March 5.

Vols Harry Hiestand officially announced as Notre Dame offensive line coach

Notre Dame has hired Harry Hiestand to coach its offensive line and coordinate the running game. Hiestand spent the last two seasons at Tennessee, and he replaces Ed Warinner, who departed to join new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's staff after the season. Coach Brian Kelly announced the move Wednesday.

"Harry is one of the best offensive line coaches in college football, and we are fortunate to have him on our staff," Kelly said in a school release. "When I was searching to fill this position, I asked some of the most respected offensive line coaches in football whom they would recommend and Harry's name was routinely mentioned as one of the best. His history of developing NFL-caliber offensive linemen speaks for itself, and I know our linemen will learn a lot from him."

Hiestand spent the past two years at Tennessee after working with the offensive line for the Chicago Bears from 2005-09. He also coached the offensive line at Illinois (1997-2004) and at Missouri from (1994-96). He is a former offensive coordinator at Cincinnati.

"I've been on the one side in the college game when I've prepared players to reach their dream of making it to the NFL. I know what it takes to help guys get to that point and what the players are looking for from me in their coaching," Hiestand said in a school release. "I have also been on the other side in the NFL and had conversations with college scouts and the general managers about what they are looking for in college players. Having been on both sides of the fence will make me a better college coach at Notre Dame."

Florida DT Orr settles marijuana possession case

Gator's defensive tackle Leon Orr has settled two misdemeanor drug charges.

Orr accepted a deferred prosecution deal. He must pay $50 in court costs and either an additional $150 fine or 12 1/2 hours of community service.

Orr was cited Jan. 10 after a University Police Department officer searched his dorm room and found marijuana, a marijuana pipe and rolling papers on his desk and bedside table, according to a police report. Orr admitted to owning the drug, pipe and papers. He was charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

Orr’s arrest was the ninth involving a Florida player since coach Will Muschamp was hired a year ago and sixth involving marijuana. All six cases ended with deferred prosecution.

WR Carr back at Miss. St.

Michael Carr has rejoined the Mississippi State football program, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

The wide receiver left the Bulldogs Nov. 4 for what was described as a “personal leave”. A team spokesman told Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger, however, that Carr is back working out with his teammates as of Monday.

The return came after a meeting with head coach Dan Mullen late last week, the paper reports.

The absence forced the junior-to-be to miss the final five games of the 2011 season.
by J. Taylor

New Auburn OC: ‘it’s our job to score football points’

Today, a press conference was set up for the now-former Temple OC. But it was during that presser that Auburn coach Gene Chizik said the process of finding Loeffler — he said the list of candidates was short and Loeffler was interviewed last “by design” — took as long as it did because of how thorough the search was.

“One thing I was going to make sure is I did my due diligence to bring in the best man for Auburn,” Chizik said. “We think we got that done.”

Loeffler spent just one season as Temple’s offensive coordinator. The Owls finished in the Top 10 nationally in rushing offense, but struggled mightily in the passing game this season. In 2009-10, Loeffler was Tim Tebow‘s quarterback coach at Florida.

“It was very important to me to bring in somebody I knew had a reputation for developing quarterbacks,” Chizik said.

We’ll let you decide whether Loeffler did a good enough job with Tebow.

As for Loeffler’s philosophy with the Tigers, suffice to say the replacement for Gus Malzahn had an interesting perspective.

“It’s our job as an offense to protect that defense. And at the end of the day, it’s our job to score football points.”

Mississippi State takes down billboards

Chad Thomas, MSU’s assistant athletics director for marketing, said reaction from MSU fans has mostly been positive, though he would not comment on feedback he may or may not be receiving from Ole Miss fans, who appear to be irritated by the latest campaign.

“I know one thing for sure and that is that Mississippi State fans are excited and proud to be a part of what is happening here right now,” Thomas said in an email to The Clarion-Ledger.

State began a massive billboard campaign with MSU football coach Dan Mullen welcoming visitors to “Our State” at this time last year. The slogan caught fire with MSU and Ole Miss fans online, and the Bulldogs used the motto in several radio, television and print advertisements. Then-Rebels coach Houston Nutt even felt compelled to answer questions about the aggressive marketing campaign at SEC Media Days in the summer.

“I do notice some people on message boards and comment threads on blogs having different opinions about the boards, but mostly all positive from Mississippi State fans,” he said. “As for fans of another school in our state, I have not had any direct contact so I do not know their thoughts either positive or negative.”

Thomas said MSU has no plans to add additional billboards in Oxford after Feb. 1. MSU and Ole Miss are actively recruiting Lafayette High School quarterback Jeremy Liggins.

The billboards were originally supposed to be taken down conveniently on Feb. 1, just as signing day rolled around, but earlier this week, reports surfaced that MSU had already begun the process of taking down the billboards.

The Oxford Eagle reported earlier this week that the reason for the move was NCAA-related. The rule in question was reportedly bylaw 13.4.3, which says recruiting advertisements cannot be “designed to solicit the enrollment of a prospective student-athlete.”

Auburn hires Temple’s OC to replace Malzahn

The Birmingham News reports that Temple offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler has been hired by coach Gene Chizik to run the offense for the Tigers. Loeffler has spent the past season as the offensive coordinator for the Owls after departing Florida as the team’s QB coach with former Gators OC Steve Addazio.

“I am very happy for Scot and his family,”Addazio said in a statement. “This is a great opportunity for him and his career. We are very grateful for his contributions to Temple, and we certainly understand that when our great coaches have opportunities, it’s a compliment to our program. We wish Scot nothing but the best. He will always have a special place here at Temple.”

“Scot is a rising star who has worked with some very good quarterbacks, and has achieved a tremendous amount of success,” Chizik said in his own statement. “He is a tireless worker, is an outstanding recruiter and knows the rigors of competing in this conference. We’re very excited to have Scot join our staff and we welcome him to the Auburn family.”

Temple ranked seventh nationally this past season in rushing yards behind running back Bernard Pierce and 40th in points per game (30.6).

Gamecocks DB lands an indefinite suspension

In a press release, South Carolina announced that freshman safety Brison Williams has been suspended indefinitely from the football team. The reason given in a statement by head coach Steve Spurrier was “conduct detrimental to the South Carolina football team.”

Suffice to say, no specifics of what detrimental conduct Williams engaged in were released by the school.

In 2011, Williams played eight games for the Gamecocks.

Domestic incident nets charges for starting UGA corner

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, cornerback Sanders Commings was arrested by university police overnight and charged with domestic violence and simple battery. Commings was in a relationship, and perhaps living with, the alleged female victim.

Witnesses claimed that Commings had struck the unidentified victim, although details are scant at this point in time.

“The only thing I can tell you is he was arrested for domestic violence/simple battery,” UGA police chief Jimmy Williamson told the Journal-Constitution. “Officers were patrolling the downtown area and were flagged down by people on the side of the road. These were third-party people involved in the incident. Talking with them there was some kind of interaction between [Commings] and a woman and they intervened. At some point in time he struck her. Based on the witness statements and interviews with the involved parties, that’s why he was arrested. We have several witnesses.”

The paper notes that, because it’s a domestic violence charge, Commings may remain jailed through the weekend as he has to appear in front of a judge before being released on bond.

In 2011, Commings started all 14 games for the Bulldogs and has played in all but one game the past three seasons. The corner was one of several draft-eligible Bulldogs who announced last weekend that they were returning to UGA for another season.

“Every man in this room came to Georgia with dreams and goals of winning championships,” Commings said last Saturday. “That is the reason that I decided to stay here at Georgia. With the leadership in this room we realized that the opportunity of achieving those dreams are great and I am excited to be able to be a part of it.”

The school has yet to comment on the incident.