Minotaur

I'm a charmer aint I?

Men's hoops: Reggie Kohn and more ...

Robert McCullum told me Thursday he expects to name his new director of basketball operations Monday or Tuesday, and former Bulls guard Reggie Kohn drove over to Tampa and interviewed for the job Monday, saying his conversation with McCullum was a positive one.

Covering a low-level job search like this at a public university is fun because by public records law, you're allowed to request information on all the applicants. In this case, there's 35 hopefuls, running the gamut from a few current college seniors to a few women to a DHL customer service rep to a market manager for Grand Marnier liqueur. I can't make this stuff up.

Two of the most qualified candidates aren't really after the operations opening. George Jackson, an assistant on Louis Orr's staff the past two years and a storied Cincinnati preps coach, has already spoken with McCullum about his interest in the vacant full-time assistant position, replacing Julius Allen. (Remember his name.) And former Clearwater High and Dayton star Josh Postorino, an assistant at Marshall for three years, told me this week that he in fact hasn't applied, and he isn't sure why his resume would be in USF's files. Of course.

If I were weeding through this stack, here's five names aside from Kohn that stand out to me:

-- Allan Adams: Served as a graduate assistant at Virginia last year and boasts Pete Gillen and Dave Leitao as references. Also has state ties, having held the operations job at Stetson and been head coach at two Florida high schools.

-- Ahmy Arca: A rare applicant with Bulls ties, he's a 2003 USF graduate who is on Derrick Worrels' staff at Hillsborough Community College. So he coached Bulls receiver Amarri Jackson, and he's worked at both McCullum and Seth Greenberg's summer camps at USF.

-- Joseph Medina: Head coach of the Strong Island Sound (New York) of the American Basketball Association last season. He's worked with several New York City low-level pro teams, but has very little college experience. A St. John's grad, he gets points for having Lou Carnasecca as a reference.

-- Mark "Oly" Olson: Former HCC head coach, he's been an assistant at University of Tampa since 1999 and has worked in college basketball on and off since 1989. Loses a little for resume having "toutnament" and "quater finalist" on same line.

-- Andy Pogach: Mentioned him last week as an impressive early applicant. Three years in the operations job at Penn under Fran Dunphy, now a graduate assistant in compliance at UNC. Might not be right for this job, but a strong resume.

FIVE MORE RANDOM OBSERVATIONS

1. My favorite well-meaning resume line in the whole pile: "T-ball coach, Fort Wayne, IN, Summer 2005 ... ages 4 to 10. Taught them the basics of the game. Like how to hit, catch, throw, baserunning, fielding, etc." Honest, folks.

2. Not sure who McCullum will go with, but judging by resumes, it'll be someone who is proficient in Microsoft Word -- and Windows 95, 98 and 2000 in some cases! So don't waste time worrying about that whole "command-X, command-V" tutorial, Coach. Leave that little Paper Clip helper guy at home.

3. Reggie Kohn's three-year record at Lake Howell High is 84-16. And Conference USA's all-time assists leader has Greenberg and Billy Donovan among his references.

4. Maybe I haven't applied for a job in a while, but who gives 10 references? Like an employer's going to call up eight people and say, "You know, I really don't have a sense for the guy. Let me call his ninth-best choice for Ardent Supporter."

5. McCullum told me that experience is important, but that familiarity might be the most valuable commodity with a job like this. If McCullum doesn't know somebody he's hiring, chances are he's very close to someone who does know the person well. That would speak well for Kohn's chances, but McCullum's very well-connected, so it could speak well for a lot of candidates we don't know about as well.

posted by Greg Auman @ 5/12/2006 12:08:00 AM

http://www.sptimes.com/blogs/usf/

Whew I thought I was the only one that dispised her. Thanks for restoring my faith in humanity guys.

No direct email?

Afraid not, our government puts as many barriers between the "Rulers" and the ruled. We are lucky they let us have an online form.

Somebody write Rhonda Storms. She is always looking for an issue to expolit for her own political gain. Just mention the number of USF alumni in the area and the favor she could garner and this issue will be on the evening news. Hell it may not be too late for her to get on this evenings news, after all she is the consumate publicity whore.

(813) 272-5660

Hillsborough County Commissioners

Post Office Box 1110

Tampa, Fl 33601

E-Mail all the Commissioners here:

http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/about/contactusstorms.cfm

Go for broke, add the Tampa City Council to the e-mail list:

http://www.tampagov.net/dept_City_Council/

Then let me know how it works out. There is nothing that we can do about this situation. The Greedzers have us and the whole city by the cojones. We did it to ourselves now all we can do is bend over for them and ask them to use a little lube. That and donate to their foundation . . . .

What has become of my little post? Oye! Ok I voted too.

Remember Amp Hill? The onetime best high school receiver in the nation has nearly completed his long road back -- but is far away from where he started. Hill suffered a severe knee injury in fall camp before his freshman season at LSU in 2003.

He transferred to South Florida before last season, and he hasn't played in a game since early in the 2004 season at LSU. He had a huge spring at USF, but there's a problem: The Bulls' quarterback situation is iffy at best. Carlton Hill, the biggest recruit in coach Jim Leavitt's nine years at USF, failed to win the job in spring drills despite having it all but handed to him at the start. . . .

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=90357

The Sporting News is down on our QB? Now I know our QB situation is way ahead of last year and will be fine.

USF Softball takes a swing at the Big East Tournament

Tampa, Florida - Going 17 and 3 its first season in Big East, South Florida softball cruises into the conference tourney as a 2 seed Thursday.

And, as Jeff Hullinger reports, That's not the only thing goin' for 'em.

Watch the video story to see how the Bulls are team with a strong athletic DNA.

The Bulls meet Pittsburgh in round one Thursday at 4 PM in South Bend, Indiana. The Bulls swept the Panthers in the regular season, posting 5-0 and 8-0 shutouts.

Tampa Bay's 10

http://www.tampabays10.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=30867

Side-By Side Comparison: Bulls Infielders Are Alike

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: May 11, 2006

TAMPA - Since Christie Chapman and Krista Holle arrived at the University of South Florida four years ago, they've literally been side-by-side on the softball diamond: Chapman at shortstop, Holle at third base.

"They've been the cornerstone since 2003," USF coach Ken Eriksen said. "They were brought in here to basically feed balls that way. Our [pitching] philosophy is to jam [opposing batters] in crucial situations, and it's worked out well."

Behind Holle and Chapman, the Bulls (47-21) finished second in the Big East and meet Pittsburgh (31-26) today in a Big East Tournament opener.

Holle and Chapman's play on the left side of the infield and at the plate are a big reason USF is expected to receive a school-record fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth Sunday.

A big reason for their success at USF? Well, it wasn't too long ago these two were just one of the boys.

Growing up, both Chapman and Holle opted to play competitive baseball with the boys instead of softball. Chapman played second base and shortstop in Vancouver, while Holle was a second baseman for Tampa's Northside Little League.

"The girls weren't very good," said Chapman, who switched from softball to baseball in fourth grade. "It was annoying.

"Baseball helped me tremendously with everything because when you're a girl, you have to be one of the best players. It helps with your mind-set even when you're little. Plus, you have to be twice as good to be accepted."

Chapman's mother, Jill, joked that she made her daughter stop playing baseball with the boys when her teammates started asking Christie out.

Holle played baseball from age 5 until she got to Chamberlain High.

"I just started out playing baseball and didn't want to switch over," Holle said. "Once you prove yourself to the boys, you belong just like they do. It wasn't hard to fit in, but you have to prove yourself the first day."

Eriksen said both players benefited from playing baseball at a young age.

"Any time you can play the bat and ball game at a high level, it will help you," Eriksen said. "Those are two mentally tough kids that could still play baseball if they wanted to. At the younger [age] level, it's better the higher competitive point you can play."

Holle is tied for the Big East lead with 72 hits and ranks eighth in the league in batting average (.365). Chapman ranks second on USF this season in average (.316), hits (62), triples (five), home runs (seven) and RBIs (37).

In high school, they both were dominant softball players.

Eriksen first saw Chapman, then a junior in high school, playing for Canada in an international tournament against the U.S. national team he was coaching to determine the U.S. Olympic team.

"He thought I was in junior college," Chapman said.

Chapman eventually decided on USF, even though it was nearly 2,600 miles from Vancouver, while Holle didn't even have to travel 26 miles across town.

"There was no reason to leave with a program like this so close to home," Holle said.

Besides playing side-by-side since they arrived at USF, Chapman and Holle have been roommates since their sophomore year. Saturday the roommates graduated - as did all of USF's senior softball players, Holle with a finance degree, Chapman an advertising degree.

"I can't believe it's almost over," Holle said.

FIVE BULLS HONORED: Freshman pitcher Cristi Ecks was named Big East co-rookie of the year and named to the All-Big East first team along with Holle.

Senior pitcher Bree Spence and senior center fielder Samantha Ray were second-team all-league selections and sophomore catcher Laura Wolf made the third-team.

http://www.tbo.com/sports/bulls/MGBZSKEF2NE.html

Senior keeps Bulls on even keel

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published May 10, 2006

Tiffany Stewart supplies power and perspective for USF, the No.2 seed in the Big East softball tourney.

TAMPA - From a frustrating 12-12 start to the team's most recent tear of 20 wins in 24 games, Tiffany Stewart has been the steady center of USF softball.

The Sickles High graduate is a leader, one of six seniors guiding the Bulls into their first Big East tournament, which starts today at Notre Dame. She also leads the Bulls with nine home runs, and her 47 RBIs are 10 more than her closest teammate and one short of the conference lead.

But Stewart's biggest contribution might be as the team's unofficial equilibrium, part of the delicate balance that has allowed the Bulls to right themselves and enter the tournament as the No.2 seed.

"She's probably one of the most levelheaded kids when it comes to dealing with success and nonsuccesses," coach Ken Eriksen said. "She keeps everything in pretty good perspective. Athletics is one of those deals where you're going to get another shot. If you can learn from what you did that day, you can capitalize on it tomorrow."

USF, as it turns out, was Stewart's second shot. The outfielder nearly signed with the Bulls out of Sickles, where she helped the Gryphons win a state title in 2001.

"Our heart was broken when she chose North Carolina; not so much because of the ballplayer, but because of the person," Eriksen said. "We got that late-night phone call, and it was devastating. We really thought she would fit in here well."

Stewart started 22 games as a freshman but struggled, hitting .154, and decided to transfer after one season.

"You're 18 years old. It's hard to make a decision that's best for you," said Stewart, who batted .282 as a sophomore and .399 last season. "But fortunately, I was able to correct that decision, and I love it here."

Stewart credits her passion for sports to growing up surrounded by athletes. Her mother, Cindy, played softball in high school, and her father, George, now the receivers coach of the Falcons, has spent 17 years as an NFL assistant, including four with the Bucs (1992-95).

Some of her earliest sporting memories were watching her uncle, Sidney Moncrief, close out an 11-year NBA career. Much of her maturity has come from witnessing the highs and lows of their careers.

"You learn that things don't always go your way," she said. "In sports, you're not always going to be here (hand high above her head) and you're not always here (reaching low). Having a family that's been through that, that's helped me cope with that a lot better."

Eriksen said Stewart was talented but raw when she came to USF and her success is a testament to what he calls "the five P's of success: perseverance, patience, practice, practice, practice." A tireless worker, Stewart, drafted to play this summer for the New England Riptide of the National Pro Fastpitch league, will return to USF this fall to begin graduate studies in psychology.

The Bulls (47-22, 17-3 Big East) go after the school's first Big East crown today with young pitchers Bree Spence and Cristi Ecks a dominating duo, both ranking among the league's four lowest ERAs.

What could separate USF, both this week and in pursuit of a College World Series berth, is the winningest senior class in the program's history, which has given the team an unprecedented focus.

"That's one thing this group has done better than any team I've ever had," Eriksen said. "Forty-five (wins) is up there, but you've got to get there one mile at a time. That's how they've approached it."

BIG EAST HONORS: Ecks shared Big East Rookie of the Year honors with Syracuse's Tonye McCorkle and was one of two Bulls named to the all-Big East first team.

Ecks (21-11) leads the Bulls with 207 strikeouts and a 1.03 ERA. Joining her on the first team is senior third baseman Krista Holle, a Chamberlain High graduate who has the team's top batting average at .365.

Spence, a Countryside graduate who was last year's Conference USA Rookie of the Year, and senior outfielder Samantha Ray earned second-team honors, and sophomore catcher Laura Wolf was named to the third team.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/10/Sports/Senior_keeps_Bulls_on.shtml

USF, UM Finalize Series

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: May 11, 2006

   

TAMPA - Even before the first home-and-home series between the University of South Florida and Miami was completed, the Bulls and Hurricanes already have agreed to another home-and-home series in 2012 and 2013.

USF, which lost at Miami last season, hosts the Hurricanes in the return game Sept. 26, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium. In 2012, USF will visit Miami and in 2013, Miami returns to Tampa.

Full article: http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGBKM7WH2NE.html

I like the sound of that. Its not just kick returns anymore silly rabbit.

Monday Notes: The Bucs will begin a busy schedule of “organized team activity†days next week…Bucs sign tryout player from weekend camp…Andre Hall gets first look

Getting Up to Speed

Joseph, Trueblood look strong on right side, and other notes

Rookies make good first impression

USF RB Andre Hall showed off his quick moves in a Buc uniform over the weekend

May 08, 2006 -

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ veteran players weren’t allowed to participate in the weekend mini-camp for rookies, but they were back at team headquarters in force on Monday. The Bucs’ 14-week offseason conditioning program is still in full swing, which means dozens of returning players were availing themselves of the weight room, the fields and their coaches’ time.

The weekend camp seemed like a more intense subset of the offseason program, since the practices were more organized and thorough, but it really was just another step in a four-month process leading up to the first day of training camp in late July.

The Bucs are allowed only one full, mandatory mini-camp during the offseason (teams with new head coaches get two), and they will save that for last. The mandatory camp of June 20-22, which will include all veterans and rookies, will comprise the last three days of the entire 14-week program.

However, May will be very busy, too.

The Bucs like to hit training camp at full speed, with the players as conversant with the offensive and defensive playbooks as possible. That means as much structured team work as is allowed by the collective bargaining agreement, most notably what are known as “organized team activity†days.

The “OTA†has become common parlance in the NFL, and many fans may even realize that their teams are allowed a total of 14 of them between March and the end of June. The Bucs have already used three of those 14 days but will get even more out of the final 11 thanks to the added presence of the rookies picked up over the previous weekend. With the exception of one weekend camp right after the draft, rookies are not allowed to return to their new teams until their colleges have held their graduations, whether they are graduating or not. Most of the Bucs’ 15 rookies will be cleared to practice by the next OTA day on May 16.

 " We all know he’s a good prospect. He had a great season for USF. He’s got a long way to go in terms of picking this offense up and being a factor in the passing game."

Here’s a look at the upcoming OTA schedule:

# Tuesday-Thursday, May 16-18

# Tuesday-Thursday, May 23-25

# Tuesday-Wednesday, June 6-7

# Tuesday-Thursday, June 13-15

The rookies will find the OTA days a bit different for several reasons. First, they are completely voluntary, though usually heavily attended in Tampa. Second, there are some restrictions as to what a team may do on the field (such as no one-on-one periods) and limits to how long it can meet in the classroom. And third, the rookies will have some eager and experienced company on the field this time around. The main purpose of the rookie camp was to get the new players up to speed so that they would be able to practice without slowing down the veterans.

Head Coach Jon Gruden has spoken in the past about the importance of the OTA days, even if they aren’t as complete as a full mini-camp.

“It is hard,†said Gruden. “Forget about learning your new offense, but how about learning the opponent’s defense and the nature of blitzes? The specialization of pro football nowadays is just incredible.â€Â

Also of interest on the upcoming schedule is Saturday, June 3, the date of the annual FanFest at Raymond James Stadium. This hugely popular event, which is free and open to the public, will once again feature the team’s full coaching staff and almost 100% of the roster, all available for autographs.

So mark your calendars. Buccaneer players already have, and they’re quite full.

**

Tryout Player Signed

On Monday, the day after the conclusion of the team’s rookie mini-camp, the Bucs signed rookie cornerback Reuben Houston, an undrafted player out of Georgia Tech.

Houston was one of 28 rookies or first-year players who participated in the weekend camp on a tryout contract. Those men were signed only through the weekend, but Houston’s new deal gives him a chance to go to training camp with the team in late July.

Houston (6-0, 190) played three seasons and part of a fourth at Georgia Tech, starting in 2003 and 2004. His career statistics include 158 tackles, seven interceptions, five sacks and 16 passes defensed.

The Bucs have found the rookie/tryout camp format to be useful for several years running now. In addition to affording the team a semi-full roster with which to practice, it also allows coaches and scouts to get a closer look at several dozen intriguing free agents. Last year, the Bucs had 20 players in camp on tryout contracts and eventually signed seven of them, bringing five to training camp. Those players include running back Derek Watson and cornerback James Patrick, two prospects who will head into another training camp with the Buccaneers this summer.

**

Hall Gets Started

The Bucs drafted 10 players over the weekend of April 29-30, but few of them got as much attention during the rookie camp as undrafted free agent Andre Hall, who signed with the team right after the draft.

That’s understandable, of course, because Hall is a local star, having followed up an outstanding prep career in St. Petersburg with two very productive seasons at the University of South Florida. USF was actually Hall’s third stop after high school, following single seasons at Georgia Military College and Garden City College, and it was there that he caught scouts’ eyes with a pair of 1,300-yard seasons.

Hall was very busy over the weekend, too, as one of only four running backs available for handoffs in the rookie camp, one of whom is a fullback. Hall shared snaps with only South Carolina’s Daccus Turman, Holy Cross’ Steve Silva and fullback Adam Gorman of Florida International, giving him repeated opportunities to show of his quick-cutting style.

Buccaneer coaches liked what they saw in Hall but know that he still has a lot to learn in order to be a viable option for the regular-season roster this fall.

“We all know he’s a good prospect,†said Gruden. “He had a great season for USF. He’s got a long way to go in terms of picking this offense up and being a factor in the passing game. There are times we’re going to have to audible, there are times we’re going to have to throw the football and there are times we have to use our backs catching the ball, so he’s got to become a much more rounded back.â€Â

Bulliever,

Save your typing fingers. Ari and the like cannot recognize the value of things like "character, a desire to improve oneself, self-discipline, respect for authority and laws, and the ability to work well with others. " Nor will they get the reference to the "pesky "student athlete" thing."

They do not recognize those words. They do not see those things in the mirror and since they are obviously narcissists, the mirror holds all that is important to them. The only reason they follow USF is to agrandize themselves with victories and bragging rights in an arena where they have personaly been weighed and found wanting.

They only complain about CRM because the things he stands for do not help them add to their ego. You'll never reach that type of person with reason my friend.

THANK YOU GIRLS!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!

"USF: Our girls can beat up your girls"

Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,

Everything that's wonderful is sure to come our way

When you're in love to stay.

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,

Everything that's wonderful is what I feel when we're together,

Brighter than a lucky penny,

When you're near the rain cloud disappears, dear,

And I feel so fine just to know that Eddie is mine.

My life is sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,

That's how this refrain goes, so come on, join in everybody!

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows,

Everything that's wonderful is sure to come our way

'Cause we've got Eddie, E D D I E   -  C A R D I E R I,

And Eddie is here to stay!

After game one I beat the dead horse and deleted it, but now I'm fine. FINE I TELL YA!

I don't like the suit, but Im not gonna lie, I could use a good shield. I can't believe he is green and gold. It may be my "density" as McFly would say.

Well if you look at his stats for last season, against the good teams you all played he rarely ran for more than 100 yards.  

Penn State - 72, Louisville - 83, Miami - 53, Pitt - 79, West Virginia 75.

I would make those yards a badge of honor for him. 11 guys, no wait EVERYONE EVERYWHERE, knew that he was getting the ball and he was able to drag 11 guys for those yards. Its amazing he escaped his USF years with his life. I would love to have seen him in a less gimmick, more reliable offense. Hell I would trade my left nut to see this offense bundled up and sent to hell.

Put it in the book right now, USF beats Pitt in an offensive shoot out on homecoming. Of course I may be am still drunk from the Cinco De Mayo party I had last night.

DR was with the Bucs until the last cut last year. I was at the Texans game watching sadly as he got few opportunities and made the least of the ones he got. The NFL guys see his talent, thats why he is always able to get on a pre-season roster. I don't know why he can't stick on one, but the money cannot be bad for a month of work.

No NFL team wanted to get "stampeded" with one line e-mails telling them how much they sucked.

Jeff's arm might be stronger, but Jeff ran the forty in like four years not four seconds.

LOL, your probably right about the brains and George ran the 40 like he WAS 40. Believe me I wish nothing but great things for the Hill. Where he goes, USF will follow. I am not a bulliever yet. I hope in 3 years I am scratching my head wondering how I ever could have doubted him.

Noooooooooooooooooooooo

That was my ole football coach!!

Some just don't realize how gifted of an athlete the 'other kid' really is.

I would say less than Jeff George on both the talent and the, well I'll say "football sense."