Some news, notes and observations on a glorious New Year’s Day.
*The news about Will Muschamp going after Charlie Weis to coordinate Florida’s offense strikes me as odd. I can see why Boom would be interested in hiring Pear Bryant – whatever his shortcomings as a college head coach, he’s a great offensive mind. Also, Muschamp has expressed a desire to implement a “pro-style offense.”
What doesn’t make sense is why the big fella would want to leave the NFL to go back to college. After his tenure at Notre Dame, he just seems better suited to coaching on Sundays.
Remember how badly Weis’ agent played the ND administration about halfway through his first year in South Bend? The Fightin’ Irish had won a few games and played USC close. Somehow, Weis parlayed that into a lucrative contract extension with the threat that NFL teams would come calling soon.
Leaking his client’s negotiations with Florida would be one way for Weis’ agent to drum up some interest from NFL teams in search of a new offensive coordinator.
*Make no mistake: Dana Holgorsen played a huge role in Oklahoma State having its best season in history. After watching West Virginia’s exercise in futility against North Carolina State in the Champs Sports Bowl, Mountaineer fans have to be elated that the Man in Black is en route to Morgantown.
Can’t say I’m too broken up to see him leave the Big 12, either.
*Watching ESPN GameDay live from the Pasadena. Had more fun at the Sugar Bowl, but the Rose Bowl is hands down the best venue I’ve ever been to.
*Who told HBO that a “Hung” marathon would make for a great way to ring in 2011?
*Let’s see… The Cincinnati Bengals will presumably can Marvin Lewis and his staff in a couple days. Oklahoma has an opening on its staff for a tight ends coach. Cincy’s TEs coach, Jonathan Hayes, worked at OU back when Bob Stoops first took over.
*Best performance of the bowl season to this point goes to Central Florida’s defense. This may not have been a vintage version of the Georgia Bulldogs, but the ‘Dawgs averaged 32 points per game this season. Holding UGa to 6 points is outstanding.
The D carried what turned out to be a very underrated UCF team this year. Outstanding coaching job by George O’Leary.
*Michigan and Rich Rodriguez just need to go their separate ways. As someone from outside the Maize and Blue family, he has never really had full buy-in from the stakeholders in Ann Arbor, in my opinion.
With Maryland and possibly Clemson and Pittsburgh coming open, RichRod could have his fair share of suitors.