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'The Biggest Interview Of My Life': Senior Bowl Sets The Stage For NFL Future And The Environment Is Pure Chaos For A Reason

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:55:00 -0500

MOBILE, AL- Hundreds of media members gather on one side of the stadium, while NFL coaches, scouts and GM's sit on the opposite side. The last few years of college football have been preparing these players for a chaotic week at the Senior Bowl.

In reality, there's nothing that can really prepare you for what transpires during the three days of practice leading up to the game on Saturday. The National and American team's are split up during the day for practice, one group going in the morning, while the other hits the field around lunchtime.

Music blares from the speakers while coaches for both teams yell out formations and play-calls for a group of guys who have been together for a mere 48 hours. It's controlled chaos, as NFL personnel try to throw as much as they can at these players, watching how they respond.

A showcase of the best talent from the college football world, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. are teammates this week. After two games this past season of trying to win a Pac-12 game, both players are joking with each other outside of the huddle. Some of the players were fighting in the trenches with each other this past season, while some were on the same team.

It's an interesting dynamic that grabs the attention of players once they hit the field. But their college days are over, and for this week, so are their team alliances. Ohio State and Michigan players on the same team? Yep, and it's almost a mental test to see how these players react to the environment along the Gulf Coast.

After spending years catching passes from one guy, receivers are praying they can get their timing right with their new quarterback this week. Once again, the mental gymnastics can be one of the harder things to overcome during the week.

Truth is, this week will set the tone for what the next few months will look like before the NFL Draft in April. The chaotic week in lower Alabama presents the first test for every player on these two rosters, and it's not just on the field work.

Once the final horn blows, signaling the end of practice, hundreds of media members flock to the field for a ten-minute interview session. Some of the players have been taught to stay outside of the yellow line, which prevents the media from asking a few questions. I chalk it up to good training by their representatives, not wanting their client to say too much, or too little.

Either way, lost in the chaos of hundreds of credentialed members of the 'press' are players getting their first glimpse of who is really watching them perform. NFL personnel will come down from the stands to critique a player or offer them some type of advice on what they're looking for out of them.

Former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey summed it up pretty well when he said this was the 'biggest interview of my life'. He's not wrong, especially off the field, where teams can spend as much time as they want talking with players.

The simple fact is that the Senior Bowl is far more rigorous than the NFL Combine. Sure, it's perceived as the biggest stage for future NFL stars, but participating in Senior Bowl week is like an NFL boot camp. Every single play you're going up against another player looking to impress a scout just as much as you.

These guys aren't practicing against their buddies or roommates. No, the guy lining up in front of you is looking to make you a part of their highlight reel. As the NFL Network breaks down different players, all it takes is a few bad practices to deflate your draft stock.

The answer to this question is usually up for debate. If you're an NFL GM or coach, the flight out of town comes Thursday night after the final practice. They've seen all they need to see during the grueling week, as the game is more-less just a scrimmage for guys not trying to get hurt on the final day.

But don't get me wrong, there is an advantage to showing-out on Saturday, while it also gives the player one more chance to shine if they had a mediocre week. In the past, a Saturday at the Senior Bowl was all about the tent parties that take place in the parking lot. For the fans, it's an opportunity to see a player from their favorite school, with Alabama and Auburn players getting the loudest cheers, obviously.

I can recall the days of attending games just to get a player's gloves or armband following the game. I won't say who, but there was one nerve-wracking moment when I was younger where I ended up stopping a police-escorted van from leaving the parking lot because I needed the gloves of one of my favorite players. Yes, it gets testy down here for certain things.

But for the players, this is one final showcase before they enter NFL combine training, where nothing else matters besides workouts in the morning and afternoon. One last time to represent your college on a massive stage, while wearing your school helmet.

It's different at the Senior Bowl, and I think that's what makes this week so special.

Taking It To Court: State of Tennessee And Virginia File Lawsuit Against The NCAA For NIL-Related Actions

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 09:46:29 -0500

The NCAA has found itself in the crosshairs of the State of Tennessee and Virginia this morning, with the two states filing a lawsuit against the governing body. Following a scolding statement from chancellor Donde Plowman on Monday, the University of Tennessee is now taking its fight regarding NIL straight to court.

The antitrust case was filed Wednesday morning, and makes it clear that they want the NCAA to stay out of the athletes' way when it comes to making money though NIL. The complaint also notes that the NCAA is not allowing the athletes to profit in a market that includes the transfer portal.

"The NCAA is thumbing its nose at the law," the complaint reads. "After allowing NIL licensing to emerge nationwide, the NCAA is trying to stop that market from functioning."

The lawsuit filed wants the court system to grant a temporary restraining order against the NCAA to stop enforcing rules pertaining to NIL enforcement.

"Permanent injunction barring the NCAA from enforcing its NIL-recruiting ban or taking any other action to prevent prospective college athletes and transfer candidates from engaging in meaningful NIL discussions prior to enrollment."

Read the full complaint here:

One of the key parts of the lawsuit is on behalf of players who enter the transfer portal but are not allowed to discuss NIL opportunities before they enroll at a particular school. It's clear that lawmakers in both states are trying to send a message that the NCAA should not have this much power when it comes to future earnings of student-athletes.

"By restricting NIL discussions for prospective college athletes, the NCAA’s current policy restricts schools from competing to arrange NIL compensation for prospective college athletes and suppresses athletes’ NIL compensation by deterring the free movement of labor."

After the NCAA started to investigate Tennessee for perceived NIL improprieties related to the recruitment of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the Vols athletic department made it crystal clear that a fight was coming.

To make matters worse for the NCAA, according to Plowman's remarks, not a single Tennessee employee or athlete violated any rules pertaining to NIL. This was a clear sign that the enforcement staff is going to allege that the Spyre Group, a Tennessee collective, had broken rules in recruiting Iamaleava.

Chancellor Donde Plowman took the NCAA to task in a scathing rebuttal to the enforcement staff's presumptive actions that would see Tennessee hit with the dreaded "lack of institutional control." Just six months ago, University officials and the NCAA sat in a Louisville hotel to discuss the investigation into Jeremy Pruitt.

From day one, Tennessee brought the NCAA inside its house while the school's legal counsel investigated a laundry list of allegations against the football program. Working together, the school kept the NCAA up to date on every single detail that was found during its investigation, even before the firing of Pruitt.

“It is inconceivable that our institution’s leadership would be cited as an example of exemplary leadership in July 2023, then as a cautionary example of a lack of institutional control only six months later," Plowman noted on Monday.

After sitting down with the NCAA's enforcement staff this past Monday to discuss the alleged violations, both sides obviously did not see the situation in the same light.

"The NCAA’s allegations are factually untrue and procedurally flawed,” Donde Plowman wrote. “Moreover, it is intellectually dishonest for the NCAA enforcement staff to pursue infractions cases as if student-athletes have no NIL rights and as if institutions all have been functioning post-Alston with a clear and unchanging set of rules and willfully violating them.”

This part of the statement alone made it abundantly clear that Tennessee wasn't going to wait on a notice of allegations. The fight was going to start immediately.

Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman Says 'NCAA Is Failing' In Response To Potential NIL Allegations As Both Sides Sharpening Their Swords

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:39:21 -0500

MOBILE, AL- The talk around the ongoing Senior Bowl was about the players on the field, until the NCAA and Tennessee decided it was time to fight over NIL regulations. Now, after meeting with the organization on Monday, a battle is brewing between the pair.

It was announced on Monday that the NCAA was looking into potential violations pertaining to NIL and the Tennessee athletic department. At the forefront of these allegations is the recruitment of Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who signed with Josh Heupel just more than one year ago.

One of the most intriguing parts of this whole ordeal is that Tennessee had agreed to a resolution with the NCAA in its case involving Jeremy Pruitt last summer. Now, the Vols athletic department is the subject of an investigation that is looking into potential NIL infractions that doesn't just involve the football program.

According to a source close to the situation, the move from the NCAA in getting the story out and Tennessee having a statement ready to go in response to potential penalties is a public relations play, because both sides couldn't agree to a penalty, while also not agreeing to punishment.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, Spyre Sports mentioned through their attorney Tom Mars that the agreement they entered with Nico Iamaleava was not a recruiting tactic and was not to get him to sign with Tennessee through the collective.

This could lead to a courtroom showdown, especially if the NCAA is hanging the 'lack of institutional control' over Tennessee's head.

But, in this era of college athletics, we are starting to see the NCAA investigate schools for potential violations that do not have a set of obvious rules surrounding them. In the case of Name, Image and Likeness, the NCAA has gone out of its way over the years to play dumb when it comes to the current landscape, which almost makes it funny that a lightbulb all of the sudden went off in its head.

Now, both parties could be preparing for a drawn-out fight that could see this case end up in a courtroom.

It wasn't long ago that Tennessee and the NCAA were working together to resolve the Jeremy Pruitt issue that marred the Vols football program. Now, we are seeing two different entities fighting over rules that were truly non-existent just a few years ago.

"As you have seen in our previous dealings with the NCAA, when we are wrong at the University of Tennessee, we admit it," Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote the NCAA. "We spent more than $1 million on outside counsel to investigate previous problems discovered in our football program that were reported to me, personally, and self-reported the entire case to the NCAA.

"In fact, just last year, the Division I Committee on Infractions as well as the NCAA enforcement staff cited exemplary cooperation by the University of Tennessee and said we set the standard other schools should follow."

This certainly doesn't feel like the cohesive unit that worked together to figure out the right way for Tennessee to be punished for recruiting violations under the previous regime. Nope, this feels like two sides that are sharpening their swords, preparing for a battle that could set another standard regarding NIL.

Later in her response to the NCAA, Donde Plowman noted that the allegations presented were factually untrue.

"The NCAA’s allegations are factually untrue and procedurally flawed," Plowman wrote. "Moreover, it is intellectually dishonest for the NCAA enforcement staff to pursue infractions cases as if student-athletes have no NIL rights and as if institutions all have been functioning post-Alston with a clear and unchanging set of rules and willfully violating them."

Correspondence-Between-the-Office-of-the-NCAA-President-and-the-Office-of-the-UTK-Chancellor-2 Download

The New York Times is reporting that part of the investigation centers around a Tennessee collective using a private-jet to fly Nico Iamaleava to Knoxville on a recruiting trip. Now, this could obviously be a major violation if the young man was not already signed by the 'Vol Club' and did not have this in his agreement.

Or, it could easily be that the collective rented a plane and flew Iamaleava to Knoxville after an agreement was already signed.

If this was the case, it would be a clear violation, but the NCAA would have to prove this was a violation at the time under the guidelines at the time. This is where Tennessee has come out swinging in-regards to these potential violations.

The school is saying that neither Tennessee, nor any athlete, broke any of the rules that were in-place at the time of these alleged incidents.

"The University of Tennessee complied with the interim NIL policy and guidance as it was put into place by the NCAA. No member institution could follow future guidance prior to it being given, let alone interpreted," Chancellor Plowman noted to the NCAA.

The letter goes on to state that Tennessee representatives asked to meet with NCAA President Charlie Baker, but that request was denied. In his place, the school met with NCAA enforcement staff members on Monday.

According to multiple sources, Tennessee and its legal counsel are prepared for a dogfight in response to any Notice of Allegations presented to the school. Even though this is the case, there are folks inside the athletic department that are nervous the NCAA will try to make an example out of Tennessee, making them a repeat offender coming off the Jeremy Pruitt case.

This will be a pivotal point in the rejuvenation of the Tennessee football program under Josh Heupel, as Donde Plowman finds all of this to be inconceivable, especially the potential for a lack of institutional control violation.

"It is inconceivable that our institution’s leadership would be cited as an example of exemplary leadership in July 2023, then as a cautionary example of a lack of institutional control only six months later."

NCAA Looks Into Tennessee Athletics For Possible NIL Infractions In Latest Attempt To Show It Still Has Control | Trey Wallace

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 13:30:18 -0500

The NCAA has been investigating the University of Tennessee’s NIL practices over the last several months, looking to instill its power over colleges.

All of this comes after the school reached an agreement with the governing body this past summer to end the investigation into Jeremy Pruitt and his staff. Now, the NCAA has decided it wants to investigate schools for NIL malpractice, without clear guidelines of how to control the matter.

Pat Forde first reported on the matter.

Just like the investigations into Florida State and Florida, the NCAA has decided to try and clamp down on potential inducements and NIL practices. The problem with this is that there are wavering guidelines on how schools and collectives can actually go about using the flawed system.

According to multiple sources, Tennessee has not received a notice of allegations by the NCAA, as the organization has been looking into NIL deals on the Vols’ campus over the last several months and speaking with student athletes. The bigger question is where does this go from here.

It wasn't long ago that Tennessee made headlines for signing Nico Iamleava, with multiple outlets reporting on a major contract figure for the quarterback. But, this does not only pertain to football. The NCAA has been looking into multiple sports.

Most of what you are seeing right now in terms of the NCAA punishing schools like Florida State is a backlog of cases they felt deserved attention. The problem is, the NCAA is now trying to go back and find mistakes by collectives and athletes, knowing that the parameters setup when NIL was introduced were pretty much non-existent.

Now, your'e going to see the organization try to find out what they've missed over the last few years, if anything. In this new era of college football, the NCAA could show up on any campus and find something wrong, even the tiniest of things. So, when a school like Tennessee or Florida is investigated, it's easy for the NCAA to act as if they are doing something about the ongoing problem.

In the case of Tennessee, the one problem that they have is that they are still dealing with the fallout from the Jeremy Pruitt era.

The schools involved in these cases feel as if the goalposts are being moved on a monthly basis, and the NCAA looking into potential problems when NIL was first introduced feels like a 'gotcha' moment for those involved.

We will see where this investigation goes, as the NCAA continues to ramp up its enforcement of potential NIL violations. I just don't know how they're going to get the toothpaste back into the container.

Michael Penix Jr. Has Hefty Expectations For Kalen DeBoer Predicting He Will Win National Championship At Alabama

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:57:18 -0500

MOBILE, AL- Former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. played for a national championship just two weeks ago, but now he's preparing for a future in the NFL. At the same time, his former coach Kalen DeBoer is already entrenched in his new job at Alabama.

Two different paths for two guys that were so instrumental in Washington finding success over the past two seasons. A perfect regular season, a Pac-12 championship, followed by a win over Texas in the college football playoff semifinals gave the Huskies a chance at a national title.

We all saw how the title game against Michigan unfolded, with Jim Harbaugh hoisting the CFP trophy in Houston. From that moment on, the lives of Penix and DeBoer have changed drastically. One is headed to the NFL and the other replacing Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa.

It felt as if the Huskies dream season would lead to a program continuing its impressive play on the field towards the future. Yes, Michael Penix Jr. was headed off for the NFL, but Kalen DeBoer had former Mississippi State QB Will Rogers coming in.

But we would soon find out that everything about the Washington football program was about to change when Nick Saban announced his retirement. It was two days later that Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne announced the hiring of Kalen DeBoer, sending a massive ripple-effect around college football.

But while college football breaks down every single move being made in Tuscaloosa right now, DeBoer's former quarterback is praising his work with the Huskies, while also giving Alabama fans a glimpse of what's to come.

The overwhelming concern for Alabama fans right now is how Kalen DeBoer will hold his own in Tuscaloosa with such big shoes to fill. While supporters are freaking out about every player that decides to explore their options, Kalen DeBoer's former quarterback is excited for his former coach and his future.

"He's an amazing coach," Michael Penix Jr. told WNSP. "He's going to push the guys extremely hard, going to make sure the players are 100% prepared on gameday. Especially on the offensive side of the ball, they're going to light it up. The offense that he installs is amazing, it's a lot of pushing the ball down the field."

In terms of getting to the playoffs and competing for a national championship, Michael Penix Jr. is pushing the positive narrative about Alabama's future. The Heisman Toprhy finalist said that his former coach Kalen DeBoer will bring a CFP title to Tuscaloosa within three years.

If that's the case, I'd imagine Kalen DeBoer will go ahead and buy some property in the Tuscaloosa area, because he'd be a made man. If there's anyone out there who has the credentials to predict how long it will take for DeBoer to find success, it's certainly his former quarterback.

No pressure, Kalen DeBoer.

Senior Bowl Week Kicks Off With Hungry Autograph Seekers, Players Starting Their Journey To The NFL, With A Side Of Mardi Gras

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 13:18:20 -0500

MOBILE, AL- Twelve guys with pictures, helmets and footballs stood on the bridge that connects the players hotel to their meeting rooms across the street at the convention center. As Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix made there way back to the hotel, the start of their NFL career has just begun.

A grueling week awaits players from all over country, as they get their first glimpse at what life in the NFL will look like. Morning meetings with coaches from both teams. Seminars on how to best navigate the waters of Senior Bowl week will fill the time before hitting the practice field.

It's a crash course on the professional life, with the college football season wrapping up earlier this month in Houston. While Michael Penix Jr. was fighting for a national championship, many of these players had already started their preparations for the next chapter.

For Bo Nix, this meant spending the week leading up to the Senior Bowl working on his game at QB Country, a facility located in Mobile that has produced numerous top-tier quarterbacks in the NFL. As for others, setting up their off-field future was a priority.

Getting hounded for autographs is almost a rite of passage, just as much as NFL personnel hitting up 'Veets' across the street from the hotel. After growing up around this game, you learn the secret spots that you might find an NFL head coach roaming around. This is almost half the fun for the regular joe going to work everyday in the downtown area.

Back in the day, fans would post up on the second floor of the Senior Bowl hotel to look for their favorite player riding up the escalator. Now, fans will unload their vehicles in the parking garage with memorabilia for players to sign. Unfortunately for some of these collectors, representatives will shutdown the impromptu signing.

In awe of the process, I sat there and watched one guy unload thirty footballs from the back of his vehicle, hoping to cash-in on these signatures. But, we are in a new era, with NIL still a factor for a good amount of these players, so some of these guys aren't going to give away their likeness for free.

For NFL coaches and GM's, the locals are used to accommodating these high-profile guests. If you were to walk around the downtown area, you'll likely see Arthur Blank, Jerry Jones or Mike Tomlin getting a coffee at the local shop. If you really want to see a party, go hang out at the Ruth's Chris steakhouse, where Jerry Jones will rent out a room in the back to hosts his team personnel.

As someone who worked there during my college years, there are a number of nights where that final bill would near six figures. If you're a server or bartender that works downtown during Senior Bowl week, you signup for as many shifts as possible, trust me it pays off.

For three or four days in Southern Alabama, the NFL world congregates on the city that invented Mardi Gras, and yes I will argue this point till my dying days.

Not only is every team in the NFL represented in Mobile this week, but the entire event is televised in the process. Unlike years past, players won't have to get down to their underwear and stand in front of NFL personnel during the measurement process, but there's still a tremendous amount of pressure.

Every block, catch, pass, run or tackle will be broken down. The future of your favorite team could start to be decided this week at practices. There will be interviews with teams in hotel rooms, along with doctors going over past medical history. And there's not much to hide from a players standpoint, because NFL scouts have already figured out those nagging injuries.

While the NFL Network breaks down every play, with scouts, GM's and coaches watching from the stands, the pressure is on these players. The nerves can set in, with Sean Payton asking for a player to run a certain drill one more time. While the NFL Combine will have guys going through individual drills, these guys are going up against some of the best players in college football during the 2023 season.

And don't forget, this is where the NFL Draft starts, and fans start making predictions on which player can help their team in the future. As one NFL GM mentioned to me on Monday, the job interview has now started.

In the meantime, you can catch a Super Bowl winning head coach sipping on a beer at Veets, while the players are focused on not screwing up their first chance to impress.

It's a whole different world in Mobile, which is what makes this event so special.

Tide Turning Back? Amid Sea Of Portal Losses In Wake Of Nick Saban Retirement, Alabama Regains Commitment From Top WR

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:14:49 -0500

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water because of recruiting shark Nick Saban's retirement from coaching and recruiting, Alabama new football coach Kalen DeBoer has shown some bite.

DeBoer digested a hard weekend of re-recruiting a top prospect from his newfound backyard on Wednesday night. He gained a re-commitment from the nation's No. 3 wide receiver. Ryan "Hollywood" Williams of Saraland, Alabama in the talent-rich Mobile area said he was headed back to Alabama on his X account.

Williams (6-0, 165 pounds) said he had never really left. But legions of Alabama fans went into full panic mode when he decommitted not long after Saban announced his retirement from Alabama on Jan. 10.

DeBoer left Washington after two seasons and had just taken the Huskies to the national championship game on Jan. 8 in Houston before losing to Michigan. He is expected to make in the neighborhood of $10 million a year as Alabama's coach.

After DeBoer's hiring, Alabama lost two freshmen stars to the NCAA Transfer Portal - safety Caleb Downs and offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. Then Julian Sayin - one of the top-ranked quarterbacks in the class of 2024 - entered the portal after enrolling at Alabama this month. Both Downs and Sayin are going to Ohio State.

Williams is a five-star prospect and the No. 6 overall player in the nation, according to 247 Sports, which has him as the No. 2 prospect in Alabama. He originally committed to the Tide in October of 2022.

DeBoer hosted Williams over the weekend on a recruiting visit to Alabama. After re-committing to the Tide, Williams also canceled recruiting visits to Texas on Jan. 27 and Auburn on Feb. 3. Williams' father Ryan Williams played at Auburn.

Before Williams, Alabama's highest ranked wide receiver commitment was Julio Jones (currently with the Eagles) at No. 1 in 2008 out of Foley, Alabama.

Williams caught 88 passes for 1,641 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore at Class 6A state champ Saraland in 2022. He also rushed 57 times for 700 yards and 15 touchdowns while returning two punts for TDs. Williams gained 2,300 all-purpose yards and scored 30 touchdowns in 2023 for Saraland, which finished as the 6A runner-up.

DeBoer's passing offense at Washington appealed to Williams. Huskies' quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finished No. 1 in the nation in the 2023 season in passing yards a game (326.9) and total passing yards (4,903), and he finished second in the Heisman Trophy race. Wide receiver Rome Odunze finished fourth nationally in receiving yards a game with 109.3.

Notre Dame Football Has A New Kicker And He's A 30-Year-Old Army Vet

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:52:29 -0500

The Notre Dame football team just got a whole lot tougher. Frankly, they also got easier to root for, too.

In the most American move of all-time, the Fighting Irish have officially welcomed 30-year-old Eric Goins to the roster as the program's newest kicker.

Goins, who graduated high school in 2012 (!!!), last played college football for The Citadel in 2015 before joining the Army.

Play like a champion today!

Incredible. God I love this country.

Goins last kicked for The Citadel back in 2015, with his final pooch being a game-winning 43-yard kick to beat Coastal Carolina for the program's first ever playoff win.

Legend, already.

After that, the now 30-year-old left to protect America.

First, he was an infantry officer before becoming a signal corps officer in the U.S. Army, where he served for seven years and spent time training Ukrainian soldiers, rising to the rank of captain, according to the Post and Courier.

Earlier this week, Goins announced his return to the collegiate ranks on social media:

“I will be playing football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the 2024 football season in my final year of eligibility as an NCAA student-athlete," he wrote.

Goins is joining the two-year Masters of Business program at Notre Dame and is also a member of the school's MBA Military Veterans Club. Hell of an addition for them, too!

"As I felt I was approaching the time to conclude my military service, I wanted to become a more well rounded and skilled leader for whatever my next calling will be," he wrote on the website profile. "Graduate school seemed like a natural starting point for that. I chose Notre Dame because I value how the Catholic faith is the foundation that this University was built upon and continues to stand on.

"I plan to complete the MBA/MGA dual degree here since I feel that US foreign policy and global financial markets are what can be best leveraged to promote lasting peace in the world. This objective is where I currently feel most compelled to direct my skills and abilities towards."

While he's not doing that, 30-year-old Eric Goins will be competing for the Notre Dame starting kicker job beginning this spring.

Guy has a LEG, too. Good luck to anyone getting in his way.

UPDATE: 'I Would Not Have Left Washington For Just Any School': Alabama Officially Hires Kalen DeBoer As Next Head Coach To Replace Nick Saban In Tuscaloosa

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:23:59 -0500

Alabama has landed its replacement for legendary head coach Nick Saban, tabbing Washington's Kalen DeBoer as the next leader in Tuscaloosa.

After Saban decided to retire on Wednesday afternoon, athletic director Greg Byrne went to work immediately to find Saban's replacement. Just over 48 hours later, DeBoer agreed to leave the Huskies and head southeast to Alabama.

In the immediate aftermath of losing to Michigan in the college football playoff, Washington officials tried to get Kalen DeBoer to sign a new contract with the school. Now, holding off on pen to paper seems to have paid off in a big way, thanks to super agent Jimmy Sexton. DeBoer had a $12 million buyout at Washington.

Update: Alabama officially announced the hiring of Kalen DeBoer on Friday night, with athletic director Greg Byrne mentioning that he was a proven winner.

“We are excited to welcome Kalen and Nicole DeBoer, and their daughters, Alexis and Avery, to The University of Alabama," said Byrne. “Coach DeBoer has proven he is a winner and has done an incredible job as a head coach at each of his stops.

"One of the things I told our team the other day is we are going to get someone who is not only a great coach with the Xs and Os, but also someone who cares about his players and someone I’d want my sons to play for, just like I would have wanted them to play for Coach Saban. We got that in Coach DeBoer. He is ready to get to work, and we look forward to him leading the Alabama Crimson Tide football program for years to come."

The incoming head coach had nothing but praise for the Alabama football program, and the standard set by former coach Nick Saban.

“I have always had an incredible respect for Alabama football and its commitment to excellence,” Kalen DeBoer said. “The tradition-rich history of this program is unmatched across the landscape of college athletics, and I look forward to continuing that moving forward. Following Coach Saban is an honor. He has been the standard for college football, and his success is unprecedented.

"I would not have left Washington for just any school. The chance to lead the football program at The University of Alabama is the opportunity of a lifetime."

Known for his rise through the college ranks, DeBoer started his coaching career at the same spot where he caught passes as a wide receiver, NAIA's Sioux Falls. While at the helm of the smaller program, DeBoer won three NAIA National Championships in five seasons as head coach.

He would then go on to become the offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Fresno State, followed by a brief stint at Indiana. In 2020, DeBoer returned to Fresno State to become the head coach, leading the Bulldogs to a successful season before getting the Washington job.

It was his work with the Huskies that put him on a different trajectory in college football, leading Washington to an 11-2 record in his first season. This past year, led by Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback, the Huskies played for a national championship, with DeBoer having a career record 104-12.

Now, all eyes turn towards his potential success at Alabama. It doesn't hurt that Nick Saban was attempting to steal his offensive coordinator away in 2023. But Ryan Grubb suck with Kalen DeBoer, and now the pair will get to continue working together in Tuscaloosa.

I would not be worried about Kalen DeBoer not having ties to the southeast. The staff that DeBoer puts together in Tuscaloosa will be up to the standards of what we've seen over the past 17 years. So, with the money that Greg Byrne is giving him for a salary pool, look for coaches to start blowing up the cell phone of DeBoer.

It will be interesting to see if Washington offers its new open position to Ryan Grubb, as the school has already started to internally vet candidates in the case this were to happen.

As for the national landscape of college football, this is a hire that should send a message to other schools around the country. Alabama knew exactly who they wanted to takeover the program from Nick Saban.

It will certainly feel different around the Alabama football facility for a bit. But this is a hire that players and fans should be excited about.

Kalen DeBoer's Impressive Rise, Success At Washington Makes Him Right Fit To Replace Nick Saban At Alabama | Trey Wallace

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:39:25 -0500

Kalen DeBoer finished his second season with Washington this past Monday with a loss to Michigan in the college football playoff. And his roller-coaster of a year might be just starting, thanks to Nick Saban retiring.

Throughout the entire 2023 season, casual college football fans might've heard Kalen DeBoer's name a time or two. Leading the charge for the Washington Huskies, DeBoer found his path to the national championship this season, navigating through the tough Pac-12 conference with Michael Penix Jr. lighting up scoreboards.

Now, his hard work and persistent work ethic could possibly lead him to taking over for one of the greatest coaches in college football history in Nick Saban.

According to sources, Kalen DeBoer has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace Nick Saban. It certainly helps that super-agent Jimmy Sexton is representing DeBoer in this process, along with a new contract that is reportedly on his desk in Washington.

Hiring DeBoer would certainly send a message to folks outside Tuscaloosa that Alabama is not worried about ties to the southeast. The Washington head coach has built his impressive résumé starting from the lower ranks, winning three national titles at Sioux Falls, which is an NAIA school.

But it was his work at Fresno State that put him on a trajectory to coach at the Power-5 level. After being hired by the Bulldogs, he led them to a 9-3 record in 2021, which caught the eye of those in Washington, who hired him in November of that same year.

No stranger to success, DeBoer led the Huskies to an 11-2 record in his first season at the helm. Then, it was the 13-1 season that ended with a loss to Michigan in the national championship game this past Monday. It was clear that the Washington locker room bought into the culture DeBoer had implemented, finishing the final chapter of the Pac-12 as champions.

There's no denying that Kalen DeBoer can build a program, given that he's done it at every head coaching stop in his career. Bur obviously Alabama is a different animal, and maybe someone like DeBoer is exactly what the 'Tide could use.

Athletic director Greg Byrne made a splash on the basketball court when he hired Nate Oats, and it has certainly paid-off for Alabama. But having to replace a legend like Nick Saban will come with some type of backlash, no matter who he hires. Given that this could be seen as a 'maverick' type of a move, DeBoer would undoubtedly win over the players, if they afford him the chance.

His track-record on offense is just what this Alabama offense could benefit from, with success at Indiana as the offensive coordinator in 2019. Most importantly, Kalen DeBoer has a reputation of finding players for his system that could work with what Alabama has returning in 2024 and beyond.

If you're an Alabama fan and are worried about recruiting, that's what a huge salary pool is for, and DeBoer could attract some of the top assistants in the country. Sure, he doesn't have the southern ties that are talked about within every coaching search involving an SEC school, but that shouldn't matter in this case.

Nick Saban left Alabama with a national brand to build off of, so the players will be there. Even with Kirby Smart still dominating the conference, there's room for Kalen DeBoer to build the Bama program his way, without falling off the ladder of national relevancy. Not having ties to the south didn't prevent LSU from hiring Brian Kelly, who had success at Notre Dame before making the trek south to Baton Rouge.

So, as we look towards the future of Alabama football, maybe going outside the perceived southern box would be a good thing for a program trying to find its way in very new waters.

What A Joke! NCAA Hands Down Suspensions And Penalties To Florida State For Infractions Tied To NIL Activity That Pretty Much Every Team Is Doing

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 20:12:45 -0500

The NCAA is hitting Florida State with a few pretty big penalties relating to recruiting and NIL, according to the association's release Thursday evening. In one of the first public reprimands of the new era in college football, a Seminoles assistant coach has been issued a three-game suspension and two-year show-cause penalty.

According to Yahoo, the assistant coach is offensive coordinator Alex Atkins.

All of this stems from an impermissible meeting between a transfer player and a booster associated with a Florida State collective. According to the release by the NCAA, a booster offered the player $15,000 per month if he attended FSU, which is an inducement to play according to NCAA rules.

One of the key issues at hand centers around Alex Atkins setting up the meeting with a booster, who at the time was the CEO of the NIL collective. During the process, the coach is said to have arranged the meeting, but did not attend, according to the parents of the player involved.

"During the meeting, the booster encouraged the prospect to enroll at Florida State and offered him an NIL opportunity with the collective worth approximately $15,000 per month during his first year at the school," the NCAA stated. "After the meeting, the booster contacted the prospect and the prospect's mother via text message and/or phone call.

"Shortly thereafter, the prospect withdrew his name from the Transfer Portal and remained at his previous school. The prospect did not enter into an agreement with the booster or receive any related compensation."

The NCAA maintains that when the booster offered an NIL opportunity, that was a recruiting violation for an inducement to play.

According to the release, Florida State's own enforcement staff and the assistant coach agreed that the he lied to investigators about the incident. The NCAA claims that the assistant coach denied setting up the meeting between the booster and player's family. In a weird twist, the assistant coach was truthful to the investigators about transporting the prospective player to the meeting.

After agreeing to the NCAA investigators claims, Florida State has now been put on a two-year probation. But it's the assistant coach who will be suspended for three regular-season games, along with a two-year show-cause penalty.

The school must also disassociate itself with the booster for a period of three-years, while also staying away from the collective for a period of one year. Also, Florida State was hit with a reduction of five scholarships over a two-year period.

On the recruiting front, the Seminoles will also be docked seven official visits in the upcoming calendar year. The assistant coach was not allowed to recruit off-campus during the fall of 2023, which has obviously already been served.

This is the latest attempt of the NCAA to try to set some type of guardrails on a system that it purposely stayed low-key on for the last three years. Now, the NCAA felt it was the right time to punish a school for something that is happening all over college football.

The NCAA once again proves that it has no clue how to manage the current NIL structure, and found a school big enough to make a splash. The NCAA suspended an assistant coach for the same amount of games that Jim Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten conference for an incident that allegedly involved cheating the system when it comes to the integrity of the game.

Congratulations to the NCAA, it once again looks foolish.

'Five Minutes To Decide Which Speech You're Going To Give': Nick Saban Explains The Hard Decision To Step Aside As Alabama Head Coach

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:21:09 -0500

After seventeen years leading the Alabama football program, Nick Saban said it was time to step aside after a grueling 2023 season.

The circumstances surrounding the retirement of Nick Saban have been a hot topic around the college football world over the last 24 hours. It's fitting that the now former Alabama head coach was going about business as usual on Wednesday, before walking into Greg Byrne's office to inform him that it was time to step aside.

After a weekend trip to his new home in Florida, Saban told ESPN that he had come to the conclusion that it was probably time to let someone else takeover the program. The 2023 season had caught up with him. And at the age of 72, Saban felt he couldn't keep up with the grind of what was to come over the next season.

"This last season was grueling. It was a real grind for us to come from where we started to where we go to. It took a little more out of me than usual," Nick Saban told Reece Davis. "When people mention the health issue, it was really just the grind of can you do this the way you want to do it? Can you do it the way you've always done it, and be able to sustain it, and do it for the entire season?

"And if I couldn't make the commitment to do that in the future the way I have to do it, I thought maybe this was the right time based on those two sets of circumstances."

It makes the most sense in the world that this was the best time to step away.

A grind that has college football coaches in the office for 16-18 hours a day during the busy season can be taxing on a young coach. So imagine what is was like for Nick Saban, who wants to be hands-on with every aspect of his program. The thought process of whether or not to step down came down to the final five minutes for Saban, as he sat on the phone with his wife, discussing what speech he was about to give his team.

"I was on the phone, we had a meeting at 4pm, it was 3:55, I was sitting in my chair, looking at the clock, saying you've got five minutes to decide which speech you're going to give," Nick Saban recalled to ESPN. "I was actually talking to Miss Terry right up until that time. It was a difficult decision because it impacts and influences the lives of so many people."

So for him, the job started to become a little bit harder, along with having to keep explaining to potential recruits and new coaches how long he would be on the job. At the end of the day, Saban made sure not to leave the future uncertain, when he was already having thoughts of stepping aside.

"I don't think there's any good time, especially when your'e a coach. I actually thought in hiring coaches and recruiting players, that my age started to become a little bit of an issue. People wanted assurances that I would be here three years, five years, and whatever, and that got hard for me to be honest about."

In the grand scheme of things, maybe this was the best situation for Alabama moving forward. The game continues to change, along with a new playoff format in 2024, which will make the coaches calendar even tougher to navigate.

One of the best parts about Nick Saban stepping aside is that he sounds at peace with his decision and after seventeen years at Alabama, he deserved to go out his way, not at the recommendation of others.

Dan Lanning Posts Video Amid Speculation He Will Replace Nick Saban At Alabama: 'And I'm Not Leaving'

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 12:41:44 -0500

We can take one name off the list of coaches who will not be replacing Nick Saban at Alabama. Oregon coach Dan Lanning has decided that he doesn't want to be involved in the ongoing coaching search, dropping a video to make that point very clear.

The early favorite to land in Tuscaloosa, Dan Lanning has made sure that Oregon fans know that he's not leaving Eugene for the State of Alabama. Since Nick Saban announced his retirement Wednesday, the Oregon coach has been the hottest name on the market.

But it only took around 17 hours for Dan Lanning to take his name off the betting boards in Vegas, with a video that personifies the attitude of the Ducks head coach.

The list could be pretty long, or Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne knows exactly who he wants, so the list could be only two names. There certainly wasn't much time to prepare for Nick Saban leaving, seeing that he did it on the fly Wednesday afternoon.

But this is why athletic directors keep a list on them at all times, for occasions like Wednesday. The good thing for Greg Byrne is that he knew this day would be coming soon, so getting the help of super-agent Jimmy Sexton to compile names would've been an easy task.

Could Lane Kiffin end-up back in Tuscaloosa? There's always a chance, and OutKick's Glenn Guilbeau thinks it would make sense.

We can also expect the usual list of names, which would include Dabo Swinney, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell and a few others. During his meeting with the team on Wednesday, Greg Byrne made it clear he wanted a new coach in Tuscaloosa within 72 hours to a week.

Now that the transfer portal window has reopened for Alabama players, it's imperative that the 'Tide land their guy in a timely manner.

But as for Dan Lanning, he's staying put in Oregon, with his cigar and a team ready to compete for a national title in 2024.

Changing Of Guard At Alabama Will Be Culture Shock, As New Coach Cannot Run The 'Nick Saban Way' Or It Will Fail

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:45:49 -0500

Is Alabama ready for a change in its culture around the athletic department? The guy who replaces Nick Saban will need time, and not just a year or two. But the one thing they must do to succeed at Alabama is not run the program like Saban, or they will never make it to year three.

The pieces are in place for the next football coach in Tuscaloosa, with Nick Saban leaving the program in great shape for the future. But this will not be just any other transition that we've seen around the sport recently, especially for a program that has done things only one way for seventeen straight years.

Before news broke that Nick Saban would be retiring and shockwaves would be sent across the college football world, the Alabama head coach was handling business as usual. The day started off just like any other offseason Wednesday, with the head coach working on future stability within the football program.

A morning that consisted of interviewing potential candidates for an open position on his staff, along with an SEC teleconference around lunchtime with other coaches in the conference, there was nothing that signaled Nick Saban was about to retire, according to sources.

This is how Nick Saban decided to spend his last day as the head football coach at Alabama, and he wouldn't have had it any other way. A meeting with his team and coaching staff late in the afternoon changed the landscape around the football program, with one tweet from Chris Low shocking fans and coaches around the country.

If there was a perfect way for Nick Saban to finish his time at Alabama, this was what he had in mind. Never the one to draw unnecessary attention, Saban waited until Michigan won the national championship and the Wolverines could hold onto the spotlight on Tuesday. But around 4pm central time, everything about the Alabama football program changed in one meeting.

A room filled with faces of shock brought about the same feelings from the folks who were tuning into the local news when the announcement was made. The season had only ended just a week ago in heartbreaking fashion to Michigan, with an overtime loss in the hallowed grounds of the Rose Bowl. Sure, there was speculation throughout the season that this could be Saban's final year, but even the man himself laughed off those thoughts in interviews with Pat McAfee.

While Nick Saban was thinking about hanging up the whistle, the rest of college football was putting Alabama in their early preseason polls for 2024. It almost seems fitting that this is how everything would play-out in the end for a coach that will go down as one of the greatest to ever roam the sidelines.

Nick Saban was never going to have a celebratory final season, posing for photos at the 50-yard line of every stadium he visited in 2024. He wasn't going to allow folks to present him with gifts like a Derek Jeter or Kevin Harvick, just to name a few. Simply put, there was never going to be a farewell tour for Nick Saban.

In reality, what he did with this Alabama team in 2023 was his farewell, in what should go down as one of his best coaching jobs in his storied career. After being written-off following the loss to Texas and the underwhelming performance against South Florida, the 'Tide went on to win the SEC Championship, snapping Georgia's 29-game winning streak in the process.

At the end of the day, going out with an SEC title and one final appearance in the College Football Playoffs, behind the beautiful backdrop of the Rose Bowl, was the way Nick Saban chose to end his career.

The best advice Nick Saban could give the next guy who takes over his office in the next week would be to not run the program like he would. If the new head coach tries to come into Tuscaloosa and run things the 'Saban Way', he will fail.

An old-school way of dealing with the day-to-day operations will not work for the new regime, especially with a conference ready to pounce on Alabama. For the first time in seventeen years, there's an uncertainty surrounding the program, but it's the job of athletic director Greg Byrne to find his guy, knowing the shoes he's trying to fill.

If the new head coach comes in and starts tweeting like crazy, don't start freaking out. A press conference that doesn't come with a few quirks about a question? It's going to be different, and that's the point of a change in culture. It starts with the secretary who greets a player when they enter the head coach's office.

The new guy will want to run things his way, not how Nick Saban would do it, and this should be embraced. Every time the defense gives up a touchdown in 2024, somebody will send out a tweet questioning the call and comparing it to Saban, so prepare for this now.

"They've ran things a certain way for so darn long, it will take time for folks to wrap their brains around who's calling the shots," one Power-5 head coach told OutKick. "When you work for someone that long and have a daily schedule that probably hasn't changed since the transfer portal was first introduced, it has to be a nervous feeling for the administration folks. The new guy will bring his own staff, personnel managers, an operations guy and people he's comfortable around.

"If they're going to continue being the dominant team they are, the new coach better get familiar with the high school coaches in that state, because it's a tricky dynamic with Auburn. And while all of this is going on, you'll have teams trying to tell recruits that the Alabama brand will never be the same. This is not like other coaching jobs where you can walk-in and just feel comfortable enough to get things rolling. Whomever it is, they better have some thick skin because Saban set a standard when it came to winning and recruiting."

It's one thing to coach at Alabama, but it's another thing to follow one of the greatest college football coaches of all-time. The new guy will think he knows what he's walking into, but this will turnout to be one of the most interesting changes in command we've seen in modern sports history.

I'm already looking forward to the introductory press conference and the old-school boosters looking to get a few minutes with the new head coach. It's different in Tuscaloosa, and one lucky guy is about to find out what running a football program and having more power than the governor feels like.

No pressure.

Private Plane Invasion: Coaches Will Flock To Tuscaloosa To Persuade Alabama Players To Leave After Nick Saban Retirement

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 18:57:20 -0500

If you're a college coach looking to add another talented player to your roster, the clock is now ticking after the announcement of Nick Saban retiring at Alabama.

After the announcement of his departure, Alabama players will now have a 30-day window to explore their opportunities outside of Tuscaloosa. Being able to play for Nick Saban is one of the biggest selling points for Alabama, but with that no longer a factor, some players will start looking around.

So, if you're the control tower operator at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, prepare for private planes to start lining up for clearance to land.

The college football world is now on-notice, and collectives around the country are putting together enough cash to buy a player through NIL. We will now see one of the biggest attempted raids in the history of the sport, and the folks at Alabama will have to do everything they can to keep this roster intact.

One of the biggest concerns about the potential opening at Alabama was centered around keeping the allure of Alabama up to par. Now, this shouldn't be a problem considering everything Nick Saban has done, but the 'Tide will need to move quickly on a new head coach.

For years, this has been the one job coaches have had their eye on, but it comes with a catch. Who wants to be the guy that follows a legend like Nick Saban?

While this will not keep the high-profile coaches away, it will certainly make their job much harder if let's say Dan Lanning gets the job.

The succession plan is most likely locked away in some type of vault inside the Alabama office, with only Nick Saban and AD Greg Byrne having the code. This type of secret is hard to keep, and Alabama pulled it off, especially two days after the national championship game.

But now the real work begins, with Alabama players likely devastated to know that they will not be playing for Nick Saban in 2024.

"This whole ordeal is going to be fascinating to watch unfold," one SEC coach told OutKick. "We've all seen what happens when a coach is fired and we're tasked with looking at that school's roster, but this is different. The allure of Alabama has kept players from taking substantially more NIL money from others, including us. It's comparable to what Kirby (Smart) is doing right now at Georgia. I wouldn't be surprised if the new head coach is announced within a week."

If you're wondering how quickly something like this can move the needle, I spoke with one Alabama player who had already heard from two opposing coaches within 10 minutes of Saban's retirement being announced on social media. That's the game now, and Tuscaloosa is the epicenter of college football at the moment.

Players will have a decision to make on whether or not they signed with Alabama because of the school, or the coach. If it's the coach, this could lead to talented players taking another look at where they want to play football. But I can promise you that Nick Saban told every player to wait until a new head coach is hired before making a decision.

We all knew that this day would come. Now it's time to make sure the succession plan goes-off without a hitch, or two.

Memories! Postgame Celebration Doesn't End Well For One Michigan Father-Son Duo After Wolverines Win National Title

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:15:00 -0500

HOUSTON -- The postgame celebration for Michigan was filled with confetti and fans singing along to Mr. Brightside throughout NRG Stadium Monday night. Unfortunately for one Michigan fan and his son, the party didn't have enough time to get started before he ended up being detained.

Everything was going according to plan for fans clad in maize and blue, but if there's one thing the CFP title game takes seriously it's their security. One father found out postgame just how serious the on-field police are about folks not being on the field if you aren't credentialed.

As photographers and media members waited until the clock struck zero to get onto the field to begin the long night of work amid a raucous environment, this father must've thought it would be a good idea to step onto the playing surface to join the fun.

While making our way onto the field, media members noticed a young man pleading with police officers to let his father go. If you aren't familiar with the protocol, each person who has a credential has to be scanned before getting onto the field to capture the postgame celebration.

I guess this guy thought he could just storm the field like it was just a regular ole football or basketball game.

I certainly felt sorry for the young kid wearing the Tom Brady throwback, especially knowing that mom is most likely not going to be happy if she received a call from the local authorities. Hopefully the police officers just escorted them out of the stadium and called it a night.

But one thing is for sure, this father and son duo will have a moment they'll never forget.

'Business Is Finished': Michigan, Jim Harbaugh Celebrates National Championship Amid Chaotic Season Filled With Controversy

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:12:29 -0500

HOUSTON- Confetti rained down from NRG Stadium while Jim Harbaugh stood on the stage to accept the national championship. A season filled with chaotic suspensions and players having to fight through adversity, Michigan 'Did That' on Monday night.

From the start of the 2023 season, Michigan grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons. A three-game suspension awaited Jim Harbaugh, while he ended up finishing the regular season with the same lengthy absence.

But on the field Monday night, Michigan bundled up all of that frustration and let out a massive sigh of relief. After everything these players had been through over the past four months, it all ended with 'Mr. Brightside' playing over the loudspeakers and Jim Harbaugh standing on-stage in sunglasses.

If you told somebody before the season that this would be how the last game ended, they would've most likely called you crazy. But after a massive defensive effort in the second half, along with a rushing attack that proved to be too much, Michigan could claim a national title.

For all the nonsense this fan base has gone through over the last four months, it's fitting that Michigan fans are the ones getting to celebrate. Since the allegations of sign-stealing were first introduced, Wolverine fans stood by their team, dismissing the talk of getting rid of Jim Harbaugh.

And guess what? It paid off with a national championship, and right now the future of Michigan football doesn't matter, at least for this week. Trust me, the conversations have already started about what's next for this staff, and the school has made it known they want Harbaugh to return.

But for one night, it doesn't matter. After twenty years of not being able to claim a national championship, Michigan hoisted one up tonight in Houston.

So for all the chatter about what this program will potentially look like in 2024, it just doesn't matter right now. As he took the stage next to J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum, all Jim Harbaugh had to do was put on a pair of his grandpa's sunglasses.

"Business is finished, we did that," Jim Harbaugh yelled out to the crowd.

Yea, they did it all right, in light of every Connor Stalions joke throughout the season. For every quip by other Big Ten members, Michigan just came back and popped them in the mouth, including Ohio State and Alabama to make it to Houston.

So when we look back on the 2023 season, sure it will be filled with controversy and folks will call for the title to be vacated. But for now, who cares? I promise you the Michigan fans around the country could care less.

After the season they just went through, sticking up for their Maze and Blue on every step of the way, nothing is sweeter than tonight.

'Let's Do The Right Thing Here': Jim Harbaugh Says The Money Is There For Revenue Sharing, But Folks Are Doing A Lot To Keep It From Athletes

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 09:30:00 -0500

HOUSTON- The ongoing discussions about revenue sharing with student-athletes inside college athletics continues to be a tough conversation without many answers. In the current landscape, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh says we're all 'robbing the same train' when it comes to profiting off athletes in all sports.

Taking the stage this weekend in Houston before his team takes the field on Monday night to play for a national championship, Jim Harbaugh tried to be a voice for college athletes. Now, whether or not folks are going to listen to these multi-million dollar head coaches is another battle within the entire NIL system.

As we've seen over the years, contracts for coaches are meant to be broken and massive buyouts come with the territory in this age of massive deals without consequences. While college athletes are the driving force behind television ratings and advertising dollars, coaches are trying to say the right things about being paid, after they sign insane contracts built off the success of the players.

But at the end of the day, folks don't want to hear from the coaches that are cashing-in on these huge contracts, with massive buyouts. Unfortunately for the student-athletes, they don't have many people stepping up to the podium to fight for the right to share in the revenue.

Obviously, if it weren't for players like Blake Corum or Michael Penix Jr. these coaches wouldn't have the opportunity to sign a contract extension for over $100 million. So there's a fine line when it comes to taking these coaches at their word, or even listening to their complaints about the state of college athletics.

But when a coach like Jim Harbaugh says that athletes do not have a voice when it comes to the current landscape, he's not wrong. While television networks cash-in on the athletes and their likeness on the college football playoff stage, the players are the ones missing out on the increased revenue.

"The one I can't figure out is why the players aren't sharing in the revenue, why that change hasn't occurred," Jim Harbaugh wondered aloud. "People come to watch the players. They really don't come to watch the coaches, don't come watch the administrators. They come to watch the players.

"And in a world where the revenue is ever growing, the student-athletes being able to participate in that ever-growing revenue, who could argue against them? When's that going to change? When is everybody going to start using their voice to say, hey, this is wrong; this isn't right?"

While we can discuss this topic until we're all blue in the face, the players are the ones who are in this fight without a voice of their own representing them.

"There's guys out here not even getting paid minimum wage," Harbaugh continued. "And I'm not talking about just football players. I'm talking about all student-athletes that need to participate. The talent needs to participate in the ever-growing share of the revenue. I'd like to see that change..

"The organizations, conferences, universities, NCAA, they're well-represented. They have legal firepower at every angle. And the student-athletes, they don't have a voice; they're not represented in any way, and that needs to change, too."

If we put aside NIL, we are still living in the same world of college athletics that players from the 80's were dealing with, at least according to Jim Harbaugh. When it comes to revenue sharing from television contracts that networks are thriving off of, there certainly hasn't been a change.

As for NIL, that is a completely different topic than the one of revenue sharing, especially when most athletes on a roster aren't prospering from the new method for paying players.

"They're getting the same amount as I got in the '80s. You're getting a scholarship, room, board, books and tuition. So it's like, come on, man, let's do the right thing here. And who is that voice? I don't know that. Who is the voice for the student-athletes? But you've got the organizations that are really fighting for their share and their piece, and it's time to share.

"I would say this, anyone who is profiting from the student-athletes right now -- myself included -- coaches, somewhere between 5 and 10 percent, take 5 to 10 percent less. That would go for any administrator, any coach, any conference, any university, NCAA -- 5 to 10 percent less and maybe a 10 percent tax from the television stations, into one pot for the student-athletes. Maybe that's a start."

At the end of the day, the cog on the wheel will continue to be the student-athlete. While millions of people tune into the national title game on Monday night, not a single player from either roster will see a dime from the revenue generated from the game.

For that alone, Jim Harbaugh is doing his best to advocate for the players, even if he might not be around the sport this time next year.

"There's a lot of people profiting off the backs of student-athletes, and they do a lot of work to keep it from them."

T-Minus Two Days Until The Natty And Pat McAfee's Bold Call Out, Washington's Pac-12 Swan Song And Michigan's Staunch Fanbase Were All The Talk At Media Day

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 15:21:14 -0500

HOUSTON - The Michigan faithful who made the trip to Texas to see their Wolverines play for a championship were out in full-force this morning. If there was one thing that was made crystal clear from these fans, it's that they've moved on from the sign-stealing ordeal, just like ESPN has seemingly moved on from the Pat McAfee situation.

It was just after 9 a.m. local time when the Wolverines made their way into the convention center to the sounds of 'Hail To The Victor.' Having already gone through something similar last week during the semifinals, both teams had a quiet confidence about Monday's matchup for the title.

There weren't many questions that were going to catch either team off-guard, but there was plenty of room for conversation. Both Washington and Michigan players made their way around to different photo booths, looking to let off a little steam before practice later in the day. Whether it was gigantic hats or players interviewing each other, both seemed to fit the part.

Underneath all of the charisma lied a nervousness for both teams to finish the job. But that could wait for another day, as both teams had one last moment to shine off the field. It was a setup like what you would see at the Super Bowl media day, the only thing lacking were the crazy questions and guys walking around promoting their favorite energy drink.

Thank goodness there's only one game remaining on the schedule for Michigan, because fans are tired of hearing about Connor Stalions.

"I could care less about that guy, all he did was bring an onslaught of negative media attention to our team," one Michigan fan noted. "If we win the championship on Monday night, the NCAA would have to come to Ann Arbor to pick up the trophy. Good luck with that. That team has proven they can win without some dude stealing signals. You act like other teams don't do the exact (same) thing."

As for whether or not players should get some of the revenue generated by the NCAA, Jim Harbaugh has one hard stance on that matter.

Before I knew it, a few fans clad in maze and blue had surrounded me to give their opinion on the matter. The one takeaway I have from all of the delightful comments was that Michigan fans are sick of hearing about it. From a players perspective, let's just say that the media relations department has done a pretty solid job preparing these student-athletes for the pending questions.

But this was also a festive day, as the players not sitting at a podium were scattered around the bleachers in-front of the speaking stage. Most of the Michigan entourage were closely monitoring what some players would say regarding questions tied to Stalions. The only thing missing this week is an overreaction to the 'catapult' video system, which drew headlines last week at the Rose Bowl.

If you thought Jim Harbaugh would give some grand gesture of hope for upcoming seasons, you were sorely mistaken on how the Michigan coach handles himself. Regarding his future plans, or potential jump back to the NFL, Harbaugh weirdly said he hoped to have a future.

"I'll gladly talk about the future next week, and a future. I sure hope I have one, how about that?" Jim Harbaugh mentioned. "Yes, I hope to have one (future)."

So go ahead and prepare yourself now for the chatter to officially begin for Harbaugh and the NFL, if it already hasn't hit your market. There's no denying that the Michigan head football coach would love another crack at a Super Bowl, but that could be a hard ask.

If he were to win on Monday night, I think the decision becomes that much easier. But if here were to lose to Washington, how does Harbaugh retain a clear mind knowing he never brought a national title to Ann Arbor?

The simple fact is that Harbaugh's agent Don Yee is handling the job of figuring out if the next level is worth it right now. Sure, Michigan's administration would be upset, along with thousands of fans, but he has to do right by himself. This is why I see Harbaugh returning in 2023, because he has so much left to accomplish if he doesn't win a title.

The conversation surrounding the remarks from Pat McAfee were certainly discussed among members of the media on Saturday. One of the most discussed questions between folks was why he thought it would be a good idea to crap on your boss, on national television. After searching for a representative of College Gameday, a colleague passed along the information that everything was still a 'go' for him to appear on the show.

Judging by the comments made by ESPN this afternoon, it sounds like the network wants to handle this Pat McAfee situation internally, which would probably be the best move. But in any case, the folks around the network had a few tense moments, as its talent took to the stage for a Q&A session, hoping to steer clear of the whole Pat McAfee situation.

The final chance for the Pac-12 to win a national title in football comes down to exiting member Washington, which is a tad bit awkward. After a season full of a lot of highs, the school had to make a decision that suited it best, which is why moving to the Big Ten works out for the Huskies.

This doesn't mean that a coach like Washington's Kalen DeBoer isn't up for the challenge and another reason why he is sad to see the conference go away.

"I think this year, there were a couple of times our staff looked back on it. We're getting ready for another game in the Pac-12," Debeor mentioned about soaking in the final season of the Pac-12.

The final case before the Washington Huskies is Monday, then the conference will start preparing for the move to Big Ten. In the meantime, coach Kalen Debeor is excited about the Big Ten move, but he'll have to adapt with the changes.

In terms of what to expect from both teams on Monday, it certainly has the potential to be one of the crazier games of the 2023 season, given that both teams are so different.

Players from Washington and Michigan are done talking. Jim Harbaugh and Kalen Debeor will speak once last time, then it's just time to play football. After fourteen weeks of the season, it all comes down to Monday night in NRG Stadium.

If This Were Wrestlemania, Washington Would Be Preparing For A Showdown With Jim Harbaugh And His NWO Group In Michigan

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0500

If college football has taught us anything over the past 2023 season, it's that Michigan and Jim Harbaugh don't have a problem playing the wrestling bad guy like the NWO. We've seen this story play-out for four months and it finally comes to a head on Monday night against the 'good guys' in Washington.

Since the first snap of the season, the college football world has looked at Jim Harbaugh as the ringleader, so let's call him the Hulk Hogan of the season. Known in the past as the milk-drinking, shirtless-wearing coach in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Harbaugh gave-off the all-American type of vibe.

Then something happen with the NCAA and Harbaugh changed his colors to the black and white.

After the NCAA backed out on a deal that would see the Michigan head coach suspended for the opening four games of the season, it was Harbaugh's own school that decided a three-game suspension was worthy enough. But, let's not act like Michigan wasn't trying to get in the good graces of the NCAA before it dropped a hammer with its notice of infractions stemming from recruiting violations during the Covid era.

For three weeks during the regular season's opening month, Jim Harbaugh was absent from the sidelines on game days. Some folks agreed with him and thought the punishment didn't fit the crime, so they came to his side in September.

But then, it was a heel turn that nobody saw coming that put Harbaugh in a different spotlight. He would go from the perceived good guy to the bad guy, thanks to a henchman named Connor Stalions.

There was nothing Jim Harbaugh or the school could say to change the minds of the public once the Connor Stalions saga began. To the delight of Michigan fans, Harbaugh never once admitted to anything regarding the sign-stealing investigation. He stayed true to his word, while saying adamantly that he knew nothing, and did not cheat.

Now, the college football world found it very hard to believe that all of this alleged stealing of signals operation could go down without Harbaugh knowing about it. And to be honest, it is hard to believe that the Michigan coach did not at least have some type of knowledge, especially with Connor Stalions being so prevalent on the Wolverines sidelines.

But right then, once the allegations were made and the NCAA opened an investigation, Harbaugh turned into the heel (Bad Guy) and he hasn't looked back since. In the midst of an undefeated season, the Big Ten would swoop in like a wrestling official and suspend Harbaugh for another three games, this time with Big Ten commissioner Tony Petite playing the 'good guy' role.

Harbaugh was a cheater in the eyes of so many college football fans and pundits, rightfully so in most cases. But, you weren't going to get the Michigan head coach to admit to a thing, especially with the backing of athletic director Wade Manuel and president Santa Ono.

This was as if Jim Harbaugh had Eric Bischoff and Vince McMahon in his corner, and that's a powerful combination.

So while the Big Ten handed down its in-season suspension, Harbaugh seemingly told the two parties to kiss his backside. He would not answer questions about this situation, even when the NFL was brought up, sticking to his 'one track mind' lines that were played on repeat last week at the Rose Bowl.

Obviously Michael Penix Jr. is playing 'Sting' in the scenario, hoping to splash his way to a national championship with his passing game. Can Washington coach Kalen DeBoer find enough ways to puncture the Wolverines defense and finally break Michigan?

Seeing that Ric Flair and Steve Borden (Sting) are in Houston for an autograph signing on Sunday, and most likely the title game on Monday night, it seems fitting that Jim Harbaugh would have one of wrestling's greatest 'heel's' on the sidelines.

There will be a large contingent of college football fans across the country cheering on the Huskies this Monday, hoping the ultimate good guy turned bad guy doesn't walk away with the title. A season filled with monumental moments, led by an offense that has stood toe-to-toe with Oregon and Texas, defeating them both to put themselves in CFB title game, Washington seems poised to claim the title belt.

Even though Michigan is the favorite, with a stout defense and an offense led by J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum, they are beatable. I sense that Washington is ready to play spoiler and ruin the so-called 'bad guys' dream season and write its own chapter to close the 2023-2024 season.

There's only one way to finish this, and that's on the field Monday night here in Houston. Hulk Hogan, aka Jim Harbaugh, has the chance to spray paint the title in maze and blue.

As for Washington, they are trying to prevent the bad guys from taking all the glory and going down in history with what could be perceived as a potentially tainted title.

Let's just hope we don't get the 'Finger Poke Of Doom'.

Did 'Sliced Bread' Change College Football Forever? Jimbo Fisher Says The NIL Era Was Tainted On A Lie Amid His Texas A&M Tenure

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:59:26 -0500

In the first public interview since his firing at Texas A&M, former head coach Jimbo Fisher says that one lie about NIL during his tenure changed the college football world.

After securing one of the largest contracts in college football history, Jimbo Fisher is now relaxing, while cashing checks from the Aggies. A tenure filled with high expectations that turned into a running joke at times, it seemed as though Jimbo had everything he needed in College Station.

At the end of the day, it only turned into a circus for the football program and Fisher himself, while the rest of the world wondered how it would come to an end. Turns out, a massive check had to be written to get Jimbo out of his own way, in what happened to be one of the wildest tenures in the last twenty years.

As crazy as it sounds, Jimbo Fisher most likely won't be remembered for his on-field record or lucrative contract. No, it will be the infamous period of time in which NIL first arrived on the scene and Texas A&M found itself taking advantage of the system.

In an interview with 'Pardon My Take', the former Aggies head coach says that one lie from an interesting source changed college football. You can watch the interview here, in which Jimbo Fisher discusses NIL.

The now legendary press conference from Jimbo Fisher on the heels of Nick Saban mentioning that the Aggies bought their entire 2021 recruiting class will live on forever. The problem Jimbo Fisher had with the whole fiasco and a message board poster that went by the name 'Sliced Bread' just so happened to change how NIL is used in the sport.

It seems like yesterday that Nick Saban sat on the stage in Birmingham and called out Texas A&M for using NIL to its advantage. This was the first time a head coach had called out another school in the early life of Name, Image and Likeness, which sent Jimbo Fisher into damage control.

In his eyes, the $35 million dollars that was allegedly spent on A&M's recruiting class was the day college football changed forever, thanks to one person with a legendary username, 'Sliced Bread'.

“College football changed on a lie. I am going to write a book on this one day," Jimbo Fisher noted. "I am going to write a book. When he wrote those numbers, I said, ‘My God, where is it at?’ … The amount of NIL deals at A&M at that time in all sports combined – he said we (bought) our class with $35 million. There was right at $1 million for all sports combined.

“That is why it upset me so much about it. You can insinuate all those things that have always been said. But you are insinuating that the families of – and I am telling you, that was as far from the truth as anything that was ever out there."

I give credit to Jimbo Fisher for a few things, including his national championship and somehow getting Texas A&M to award him a $100 million contract. But it was Jimbo's remarks that seem to have him living in a fantasy world, saying every media member covering college football ran with the NIL money figure.

"And here is the big thing: all of the media went and ran with that story as truthful without ever checking it," Fisher went on to say. "And I am talking about the big dogs. I am talking about all of the people we regarded as highly-respected guys. College football changed on a lie. I am going to write a book about it one day.”

Sorry Jimbo, but most folks had done their due-diligence during that time period and investigated how much money some of those players in that recruiting class were being offered. The high six-figures was a common number for the star athletes in the class, some of which got more.

But Jimbo Fisher wants you to believe that Texas A&M spent $1 million on NIL, which covered all sports on-campus. Sorry to burst the bubble, but the Aggies were receiving money from donors who were tired of losing, so spare me the $1 million nonsense.

At the end of the day, Jimbo Fisher did not win enough games with the talent put together or signed during what is now called 'free agency'. Sure, there were other factors that led to his ouster in College Station, but he was given more time than most coaches get in the college football community.

In terms of NIL, I think we can all agree with Jimbo Fisher on one thing.

"And now, it has turned into a zoo.”

Ryan Day Needed A Quarterback Who Could Lead Ohio State To Playoffs, So He Grabbed Former Kansas State QB Will Howard

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:21:43 -0500

Ohio State has decided it needs a quarterback out of the transfer portal, with so many questions about the position for 2024. In this case, Ryan Day has secured the commitment of former Kansas State gunslinger Will Howard.

The quarterback position in Columbus, Ohio, has been a huge talking point ever since former starter Kyle McCord decided to transfer. According to McCord, it was in the best interest for both parties to go their separate ways in working towards the future.

Now, with one season of eligibility remaining, Will Howard is heading to Ohio State to be the starter for Ryan Day. Make no mistake, Howard is not making this move without a clear path toward the No. 1 quarterback in the rotation, especially with only one season of eligibility remaining.

After Ryan Day did not proclaim that McCord would be the starting quarterback in 2024, it looked as if the Buckeyes needed a shot in the arm in terms of competition. The Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri did not give Ryan Day a lot of positivity to build off of, so making the move to bring in Howard is a massive statement about what he thinks of the quarterback room.

In the 14-3 loss to Missouri, backup Devin Brown looked overwhelmed in the pocket, before being injured in the first half. Then, third-string Lincoln Kienholz struggled to inside the pocket, with the Buckeyes only having 203 yards of total offense and just three points.

It was clear that Ryan Day needed to do something, quick.

The answer to the question should be yes, and for the sake of Ryan Day's tenure in Columbus, they better be playing in the new playoff format in 2024. After the Buckeyes third-straight loss to Michigan, along with the lackluster performance in the Cotton Bowl, there is tension around the program.

So, after playing four years at Kansas State, taking over the starting job at the halfway point of the 2022 season, Will Howard needs to be the answer.

Throwing for 2,643 yards and 24 TD's during the 2023 season, Howard led Kansas State in all 12 games of 2023, while battling a few injuries.

It also seems evident that Ryan Day is going to redshirt 5-Star QB Air Noland, who was the third ranked 'Pro-Style' quarterback of the 2024 class. While Ohio State is certainly excited for the future with Noland, Ryan Day has to win now and cannot wait another season for the prospect to develop.

This is the critical reason why the Ohio State head coach had to go find a quarterback who could win immediately, and Will Howard has that capability.

Whether he wants to acknowledge or not is up to him, but Ryan Day is certainly feeling the pressure around the folks in Columbus. If you needed any further proof of that, Will Howard transferring into the program should be a clear sign that Day knows he needs to win, now.

J.J. McCarthy Says Michigan Had To Get On Ohio State's Level When It Came To Sign Stealing In College Football

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:26:52 -0500

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy did not hold back on Wednesday regarding the ongoing sign-stealing drama centered around the football program. Furthermore, the Wolverines star decided to use Ohio State as an example as to why they needed to get on another level of stealing signals under Jim Harbaugh.

Now, whether or not J.J. McCarthy was talking about the ongoing investigation into Connor Stalions and the Michigan football program is up for debate, but he certainly didn't help the situation.

While speaking with the media to promote the upcoming College Football Playoff title game, the Michigan quarterback was asked if the knowledge surrounding other teams is legitimate.

In reality, the Wolverines signal-caller was asked if he felt like the cheating was doing a disservice to college football.

"Yeah, and I also feel like it's so unfortunate because there's probably -- I don't want to say a crazy number, but I'd say a good number, 80 percent of the teams in college football steal signs," J.J. McCarthy noted. "It's just a thing about football. It's been around for years.

"We actually had to adapt because in 2020 or 2019 when Ohio State was stealing our signs, which is legal and they were doing it, we had to get up to the level that they were at, and we had to make it an even playing field."

There is one obvious problem with his answer that insinuated Ohio State was stealing signals, which is that they did not play the Buckeyes in 2020. But, that's neither here nor there in the grand scheme of the situation.

Also, there's the 80% number that McCarthy throughout, which is not a realistic thing. What Michigan is being accused of regarding Connor Stalions is not the same thing compared to watching game film on Catapult or television, looking to decipher signals from the opposing team.

I think there are two different scenarios in the answer from J.J. McCarthy. One, it's completely different to send a person to an opposing team's stadium to record their sideline. If Michigan's staff were able to decipher signals via the normal route, which includes in-game scouting, then the story of Connor Stalions wouldn't exist.

But, McCarthy seemed to imply that the bast majority of programs around college football were finding different ways to steal signs. While this might be the case, there is no evidence linking other schools, or pulling off a scheme like the one Connor Stalions had.

When asked how this has affected the season as a whole, J.J. McCarthy feels like the situation has masked all of the hard work his team has put into this season.

"I just feel like it sucks, just because like Mason said, we do work our butts off," McCarthy noted. We do watch so much film and look for those little tendencies and spend like 10, 15 minutes on one clip alone just looking at all the little details of the posture, of the linebackers or the D-ends, the safeties off levels, the corner to the field is press but the corner to the boundary is off, little stuff like that where it's like, you could say it's all sign stealing, but there's a lot more that goes into play, and a lot of stuff that gets masked, a lot of work that gets masked just because of the outside perception of what sign stealing is all about.

Whether .J.J. McCarthy was implying that other schools were partaking in the same type of scheme Michigan is being accused of was not totally clarified. But one thing is true, and it centers around the overall feeling within the Michigan program.

At end the of the day, Michigan is having to prepare for a matchup with Washington on Monday night in Houston, Texas. How they got to this point will be discussed for years to come, especially if the Wolverines win a national title.

As for whether or not J.J. McCarthy was calling out Ohio State for doing the same thing Connor Stalions is accused of might be a different story within itself.

One thing is for certain and that's McCarthy was not holding back his thoughts on how this team has been portrayed. Unfortunately, there's nothing the Michigan quarterback can say that will deter any thoughts of wrongdoing. The only thing the Wolverines can do is continue blocking out the outside noise, which they've done a good job with through two Jim Harbaugh suspensions.

Now we wait to see if Washington will be the ones to bring this Michigan season to a halt next week in Houston. Unfortunately for McCarthy, who might've given too good of an answer with his response, sometimes staying quiet is better than screaming it from the rooftops.

This story will continues to unfold, as the Wolverines will play Washington on Monday night.

Netflix Is A Perfect Way To Take Your Mind Off Things, Which Nick Saban Reportedly Used After Alabama's Loss To Michigan

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 19:07:20 -0500

How does a legendary college head football coach try to take his mind off a heartbreaking loss? Well, Netflix was the option of choice for Nick Saban after Alabama lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl thriller on Monday night.

Following the loss to the Wolverines in overtime in the college football playoff semifinal, Nick Saban's wife, Mrs. Terry, revealed that the pair would be indulging in a foreign film, not the second semifinal matchup.

According to USA Today, Saban's wife was asked after the loss what the head coach was interested in doing, which supposedly involved partaking in the streaming service.

After asking her husband if he felt like watching Texas versus Washington, the Alabama head coach said it wasn't interested in more football. Honestly, after going through that ending, I don't blame the 'Tide coach for wanting to sit the other game out.

The pair have been watching a foreign film, which Mrs. Terry described as 'It’s Turkish or something'. If you're wondering why the legendary coach would choose to watch a foreign film with subtitles, Mrs. Saban said that having to immerse yourself in understanding what's transpiring in the film is a relaxing tool.

“It completely gets your mind off of (the defeat),’’ Mrs. Terry told USA Today of the Netflix movie.

Even though the normal person can come home from a hard day at work and hit the Roku button, I think Nick Saban will need a little more time than a movie can offer. This turned out to be one of the best coaching jobs Saban has done since arriving in Tuscaloosa.

As for the final play of the Rose Bowl that saw Jalen Milroe get stuffed on fourth and goal, it came down to lack of execution.

"We called three plays. One they called time-out, one we called time-out, and the last one that didn’t work," Nick Saban said postgame. "The fact that it didn’t work made it a really bad call. You know what I mean? But we called time-out because we had a bad look. We had a good look on the first one. They must have known it. But Tommy Reese just felt like the best thing that we could do was have a quarterback run, which was kind of our 2-point play, one of our 2-point plays for this game.

"The ball was on the 3-yard line, which is just like a 2-point play, but we didn’t get it blocked so it didn’t work. We didn’t execute it very well and it didn’t work. They pressured and we thought they would pressure, but we thought we could gap them and block them and make it work, and it didn’t.”

As for what's next with his career, Nick Saban did not give off the impression that he's done coaching at Alabama.

If anything, I'd imagine the head coach is back in the office this week breaking down film of how to prevent that type of performance again in 2024. In the meantime, Netflix will be the source of late night relaxation.

The Story Continues: Michigan Refuses To Go Into Off-Season Drama Just Yet, Defeating Alabama In Dramatic OT; Will Now Play For National Championship

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 21:49:19 -0500

The 'Grandaddy' of them all went from heavyweight fight into a full-blown brawl Monday night at the Rose Bowl, filled with haymakers that sent the game into an overtime frenzy. In what turned into a game that would match the 2017 classic, Michigan took the final snap on defense and stuffed Alabama, sending the Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh to the national championship.

For what many described as a dud in the third quarter, both teams took their own injections of energy in the fourth quarter to deliver a game that will be remembered forever.

A fourth quarter of dominating runs from Jalen Milroe, the Alabama quarterback was stopped on fourth-and-goal, leading to Michigan players storming the field in celebration. If you were looking for a game to match the magnitude of what the Wolverines did for the entire 2023 season, the Rose Bowl lived up to the hype.

Now, Michigan will play for its first national championship in twenty years, while Alabama heads home to Tuscaloosa, second-guessing the defensive calls that led to the Wolverines sending this game into overtime.

A season marred by controversy, Michigan players have not flinched since its head coach was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season. There were times where the Wolverines could've given in to the outside noise, but all they kept doing was win football games.

Whether it was holding on to beat Ohio State in the final regular season game, or stopping Alabama on the 3-yard line in overtime, this group of Wolverines did not fold under the pressure.

"We're so together, so connected and we were going to overcome anything that was inside this stadium," Jim Harbaugh said postgame while standing with Blake Corum.

It certainly wasn't the players' fault that they were the talk of the college football world for all the wrong reasons throughout the regular season, but they fed off the negative energy. The 'Michigan vs. The World' mentality was the key phrase that kept this group from folding to the pressure of outside noise.

When their head coach was suspended for the first three games of the regular season, players like J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum took it in stride. After the Big Ten decided to suspend Jim Harbaugh for three games towards the end of the regular season, the Wolverines kept pushing through adversity. There was not a single thing these players could control about what was going on outside of their locker room, and it showed with their determination on the field.

As the Michigan faithful rose to their feet inside the Rose Bowl stadium, with the Wolverines only needing one stop, it was the players who stepped up one more time. The determination and heart from this football team is evident by the way they play for each other, which includes picking each other up in times of need.

"We were more shocked Florida State didn't make it, we wasn't worried about Bama," Cam Goode said postgame on the field. "I mean, you guys saw the results and we got the dub, and that's all that matters. We beat Bama fair and square, fair and square, ya'll see it. We beat the referees and Bama, how bout that."

So it should come as no surprise that Michigan once again found a way to come together in the fourth quarter to secure its spot in the national championship. And when big-bad Alabama came knocking at their doorstep on Monday night, Michigan opened up the door and proved to the world that this team was worthy to play for a title.

Forget the outside noise surrounding the program that involved the NCAA and the sign-stealing allegations, Michigan players have persisted through talk of Jim Harbaugh leaving for the NFL. The ongoing chatter of whether or not their head coach would be around next season has not deterred this group of players looking to finish their story.

Whether or not Harbaugh heads back to the professional ranks after this season is a subject that will be discussed until he puts it to bed. So, for these Michigan players, they just continue to block out the outside noise, no matter the title of the story. In this case, for the 2023 season, Michigan is looking to write the final chapter in their own words.

When asked after the thrilling overtime win over Alabama about his future beyond the national championship game, Jim Harbaugh wasn't biting.

"My future will be a happy flight back to Ann Arbor, Michigan!"

It started three years ago with a loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl that shattered their dreams of playing for a CFP title. Then, it was TCU that threw a wrench into the Wolverines plans in 2022 with a demoralizing loss in the Fiesta Bowl.

But Monday night in Pasadena, the Wolverines did their part so that they could have a chance to finish the story.

If we've learned anything from this Michigan team over the last four months, it's certainly not to underestimate their ability to overcome obstacles.

Now, with a group of players that dealt with constant naysayers, Michigan will get its shot to hoist up the College Football Playoff trophy one week from now in Houston, Texas.

One more game to go for a national championship, with the world still rooting against them.