cygnus34

UCF coaches told Smith that their Q.B. this year will switch positions and according to Smith they talked and he is looking forward to the switch.

Damarcus Smith Q.B. commit now looks like he will commit to UCF. Terry Bridgewater must have scared him off the CARDS.

Do you have a LINK, JOE?

Short blurb in Sun-Sentinal yesterday. Discussions with UM Huizenga said discussions are ongoing with UM about moving its home football games from the Orange Bowl to Dolphin Stadium. "Their attendance would rise and they would have a heck of a nice building compared with what they have," said Huizenga, whose massive renovations of Dolphin Stadium are ongoing. "Don't get me wrong. There is a lot of tradition at the Orange Bowl. We all know that. We just have to wait to see what they want to do."

http://www.collegefootballchannel.com/story.asp?story=20035

What board to put this on? At least it mentions USF as someone to watch. http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10089235

Just MY opinion, but I do not think USF will be able to bring in an established D-1a coach even though the BULLS are in the Big East. The reason lack of fan support and the amount USF is willing or able to PAY. The best bet seems to be on an up and coming assistant like, (Haith in Miami) or a coach in a lower league, such as Pelphrey.

FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ Canes at OB `doesn't look good' By BARRY JACKSON bjackson@MiamiHerald.com Several officials involved in the discussions -- and a couple of Miami politicians -- consider the University of Miami's move to Dolphin Stadium likely. ''It doesn't look good at the moment,'' city commissioner Angel Gonzalez said of UM staying at the Orange Bowl. One UM staffer said work has begun on the logistics of a move north. But no decision has been made, and there are issues for UM to work through before and after a deal is signed. Among them: • Suites: That's the focus of a key negotiating point not resolved. The price, how the revenue would be split and who gets priority seating are in question. Some Dolphins suite-holders might get first crack at some suites because of their leases, but UM also wants priority seating for donors. Unlike at the OB, UM would get some parking and concession revenue and pay less rent. • When to leave: Lori Billberry, Miami's director of facilities, said UM has no out clause before its OB lease expires after the 2009 season. But there's sentiment inside UM to depart before the 2008 or 2009 seasons, and there's a sense the city would oblige. Miami city manager Pete Hernandez said if UM leaves and the Marlins build on the OB site, construction would begin in 2008, making it impossible for UM to play there after this year. • Marlins conflicts: Dolphin Stadium president Bruce Schulze said the Marlins have scheduling priority even over the Dolphins. Though he won't speculate on UM, Hurricanes officials privately say they could adjust to conflicts with the Marlins until the baseball team moves. Only one MLB team, the Minnesota Twins, shares a stadium with a college football program. • Ticket plan: UM officials say it will take time to craft a ticket policy and relocate ticket holders to comparable seats at Dolphin Stadium. UM will study how the Dolphins did it when they left the OB after 1986. The Dolphins are expected to allow UM to contact their season-ticket holders in a cross-marketing plan. UM also would provide buses to transport students from campus to Dolphin Stadium. • Other issues: Some UM officials aren't thrilled with playing in a facility named ''Dolphin Stadium.'' And UM isn't fond of the dirt infield during Marlins season. But neither is expected to be a deal-killer. So is there any scenario in which UM stays at the OB? One informed UM official could see it happening only if the Marlins' stadium plan collapses soon, and the city uses its $108 million Marlins contribution toward renovating the OB. But Hernandez is noncommittal about whether all that money could even be used on the OB. ''The perfect thing would be to keep the University of Miami, but I don't think it's going to happen,'' Miami city commissioner Joe Sanchez said. ``If it's a divorce, they're the ones walking out.'' UM and the city can't agree what the OB upgrades cost -- Hernandez said it's $160 million to $170 million, but UM believes it's much more. Hernandez said ''$100 million to $120 million is what we have available. [but] we haven't lost hope.'' No new meetings between UM and the city have been scheduled yet, he said.

Nothing wrong with that except the land per acre in Miami is outragous and there isn't any large acerage site available. So the price is sky high.

From the Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/44533.html

Marlins stadium bill moves ahead BY YUDY PINEIRO ypineiro@MiamiHerald.com TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Marlins are still in the game. Proposals to help finance a $500-million ballpark for the club unanimously passed both House and Senate committees on Thursday, though some senators noted obstacles that could stand in the way of handing the team a $60 million tax break. The biggest obstacle: a tight budget. ''We're dealing with a budget situation where we will have approximately a billion less to spend,'' said Sen. Ted Deutch, a Boca Raton Democrat. ``Our constituents will ask us, how do you agree to spend $60 million on a sports facility when the needs of the state are so great?'' Senators, mostly Broward County legislators, also told Miami-Dade County and Miami officials they need to decide on a location and come up with some hard figures on the economic impact the new stadium would have on the state's finances. Despite the warnings, Miami-Dade lawmakers remain confident that the Marlins will get the tax break this year, especially since they have the support of House Speaker Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist. ''The project is good for the city, good for the county, good for the region and, quite frankly, we believe it's good for the state,'' said Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess. Whether it's good for the state or not is up for debate. Economists argue the tax subsidy, which would be paid in $2 million increments over 30 years, strips the state of money. Bill proponents say the ballpark is an economic incentive that would bring the state more tax dollars.

There is a Metro Rail system that goes from just outside the campus to north Dade and buses from there. More than likely they will have direct bus service from the campus to Dolphin stadium. Those are things that will have to be worked out, when the time comes.

NO, Joe by going to Dolphin stadium the attendance will get much better.  Most CANE fans are in Broward and Palm Beach counties and the drive will be much better and closer and with plenty of parking.  The fact that Dolphin Stadium is a PRO stadium andhas all the ammenities will not be lost on recruits either. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-sphyde14mar14,0,4279407.column?coll=sfla-sports-front Some fill in about the O.B. from guys at the CANE fans and coaches meeting in JAX. http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=13#S=13&F=2927&T=247480

DARRIN HORN Biography A program on the rise. That’s how many view Western Kentucky basketball under the direction of Darrin Horn as he enters his fourth season as the Hilltoppers’ head coach. After all, WKU has increased both its overall and Sun Belt Conference victory totals in each of Horn’s first three years. With a career record of 60-30  which includes a 29-13 league mark  he has more wins during that span other than the legendary John Oldham (66 in his first three years as WKU’s mentor) and Ralph Willard (61), the coach who brought Horn to the Hill as a player in 1991. The Toppers have advanced to postseason play in each of the last two years after Horn guided WKU to the National Invitation Tournament in 2005-06, where it would fall on the road to eventual champion South Carolina. The Hilltoppers posted a 23-8 mark, winning the SBC East Division for the first time since 2002-03 after compiling a 12-2 league record. That came on the heels of a 22-9 finish his second season, when he led the Hilltoppers to an 88-80 victory over Kent State in the opening round of the NIT for the school’s first win in a national postseason tournament since he was a senior on the 1994-95 squad. The victory total was the second-highest for a coach in his second season on the Hill (Oldham guided WKU to a 25-3 mark in 1965-66) as WKU improved to 9-5 in the Sun Belt Conference and advanced to the semifinals of the league tournament. In his first year as head coach on the Hill, Horn helped the Toppers to 15 wins and a second-place finish in the Sun Belt Conference East Division despite returning only one starter from the previous season. Individually, several Toppers have been recognized not only on the conference but national level for their achievements at the end of the year. Anthony Winchester was an honorable mention All-American in 2005-06 while also earning all-district honors for the second straight season from the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Courtney Lee was a second-team NABC all-district selection as a sophomore. WKU has had the Sun Belt Player of the Year in two of Horn’s first three seasons at the helm of the program, with Winchester claiming the honor last year and Mike Wells recognized following the 2003-04 campaign  Wells was also the Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Lee was the league’s 2005 Freshman of the Year, and Nigel Dixon was named the Newcomer of the Year the previous season. All four individuals picked up first-team all-conference honors, with Winchester accomplishing the feat in each of his last two years. Horn promised to run an up-tempo offense when hired in April 2003, and he has not failed to deliver on that vow. WKU ranked 23rd in the nation in scoring, 22nd in three-point field-goal percentage and 26th with 8.3 three-pointers per contest a year ago, one season after finishing 20th in the country in scoring offense. Actually, the Hilltoppers also finished 23rd nationally in rebounding margin and 31st in field-goal percentage last winter as well. In fact, the Toppers led the SBC in scoring, field-goal percentage, rebounding margin and three-point field goals per game while finishing in the top three in the conference in four other statistical categories. And, Horn is not afraid to challenge his squad. Not only have the Hilltoppers faced three different Southeastern Conference opponents (Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State) as well as Virginia out of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Pac 10’s Arizona in his first three years on the bench, but WKU played five teams that earned a berth in the 2006 NCAA Tournament last year. Last season’s schedule was the highest-ranked non-conference slate  it was judged the 28th toughest in the country  the Hilltoppers have ever faced. Topper fans took notice of Horn’s efforts. Not only did WKU sell out four home games  the most in the regular season since the 2001-02 campaign  but it paced the Sun Belt with an average of just under 6,000 fans per contest (only one other league school even averaged 4,000) at E.A. Diddle Arena. Off the court, every player that has finished his eligibility has earned a degree from WKU. “Darrin Horn has WKU basketball on course for sustained national prominence. Coach Horn is one of the best head coaches in the country given his knowledge of the game, integrity, personality and philosophy of play,†said Western Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig. “His youthfulness makes it very easy for him to connect with today’s high school stars. WKU could not have a better role model or leader for our program than our very own former basketball standout Darrin Horn.†Horn, now 33, lettered four years  starting the final three  to help lead the Hilltoppers to four consecutive 20-win seasons, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of SBC Tournament titles. Horn was one of three players to assist Western in reaching national postseason play in four consecutive seasons for the first time in school history, as the Toppers qualified for the 1992 NIT and followed with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. In fact, he was a key member of the last Hilltopper team to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament after WKU defeated Memphis State (and Anfernee “Penny†Hardaway) and second-seeded Seton Hall on the opening weekend of the 1993 event. He was the 32nd player in school history to score 1,000 points, currently ranking 30th with 1,115 in 125 games. He also stands fifth with 139 steals, seventh with a 36.7 three-point field goal percentage and 10th after playing 3,084 minutes, and is the Hilltoppers’ all-time leader among four-year players after converting 80.8 percent from the free-throw line. Horn is one of seven players in school annals to make at least four three-point field goals in a game without a miss, and he stands seventh on the season record list after shooting 44.2 percent from three-point range his final year. An all-Sun Belt selection as a senior in 1995, Horn averaged 12.9 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 assists per game as Western finished 27-4 (the second-best record in the country that year behind NCAA champion UCLA), including a 17-1 conference mark on the way to regular-season and tournament championships, with an NCAA first-round victory over Michigan. He was also named WKU’s Athlete of the Year that season, and was voted third-team GTE Academic All-America. Horn averaged just under 10 points per game the previous two years as the Toppers reached the NCAA Tournament. The team was 20-11 his junior season, advancing to the tournament after winning the conference championship with a 14-4 mark. As a sophomore, Western posted a 26-6 overall record, 14-4 in the SBC, while advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. And, the Hilltoppers concluded the 1992 season  Horn’s first year on the team  21-11 after earning an invite to the NIT. In fact, Horn holds the distinction of being the only player in the school’s 86 years of basketball to score the team’s first points in each of his four seasons. Not only does Horn have NCAA experience as a player, but he has also tasted success on the bench  he returned to the Hill after serving as an assistant coach at Marquette for four years, helping lead the school to its first NCAA Final Four since 1977 in his final season with the Golden Eagles. His primary responsibilities at Marquette included serving as the recruiting coordinator along with game and practice preparation. With his help, two Parade All-Americans, three top 30 student-athletes and seven top 100 players committed to MU  his best incoming class was ranked 11th in the nation. That included recruiting and coaching Dwyane Wade, who would go on to be the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and was just named the Most Valuable Player of last season’s NBA Finals after helping the Miami Heat to the franchise’s first league title, and Travis Diener, a second-round selection of the Orlando Magic who just completed his rookie season in the league. Horn helped the Golden Eagles reach the 2003 Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, as they concluded the season 27-6 overall while ending Cincinnati’s seven-year reign as Conference USA champion after winning the league with a 14-2 mark. MU had a winning record in each of his four years on the staff, improving its league standing each season and posting an overall record of 83-41 during his tenure. Horn was an assistant at Morehead State from 1997-99, and began his career in the coaching ranks as an assistant at WKU from 1995-97 following his graduation with a bachelor’s degree in allied language arts in ’95. He started for three years at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Ky., earning first-team all-state honors as a senior a year after collecting honorable mention accolades. Following his last year with the Commodores, Horn was selected to play in both the McDonald’s Derby City Festival All-America Classic and the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Game. He was also named Fayette County Player of the Year, area co-Player of the Year and was a three-time all-city pick. And, he was twice voted first-team academic all-state. Off the court, Horn was part of the USO’s “Operation Hardwood III†over the summer, taking part in an eight-day tour of Japan in which he, along with Jim Calhoun (Connecticut), Ed Conroy (The Citadel), Karl Hobbs (George Washington), Steve Lavin, Dave Leitao (Virginia) and John Thompson III (Georgetown) coached military players in a tournament while visiting military personnel in the region. Horn, is married to the former Carla Walker, also a WKU alumnus. The couple have one daughter, Caroline (5), and one son, Walker (3). The Horn File Born: Dec. 24, 1972, Glasgow, Ky. High School: Tates Creek, Lexington, Ky., 1991 HS Athletics: Basketball, guard, three letters (all-state, all-city) College: Western Kentucky University, 1995 (BA, allied language arts) College Athletics: Basketball, guard, four letters (all-Sun Belt Conference, Academic All-America) Coaching Experience: Western Kentucky, assistant coach, 1995-97 Morehead State, assistant coach, 1997-99 Marquette, assistant coach, 1999-03 Western Kentucky, head coach, 2003- Wife: Carla (Walker) Children: One daughter, Caroline (5); one son, Walker (3).

My take is with the recruiters they have and the class they recruited this year, they will do quite well. Another thing, it is just about a done deal the the CANES will be going to Dolphin Stadium after this year. Maybe the Bulls do not promote it but I am sure the CANES will and that is, if you are good enough we can get you here (Dolphin Stad.) on Sundays. The other thing is, Shannon has stated he is interested in his players and getting them an education since only 2% ever get drafted.

http://cfn.scout.com/2/624506.html

Wire Dispatch Stephen Garcia one of the top Q.B. recruits to sign this February has been arrested twice recently, will not participate in spring practice, coach Steve Spurrier said. Garcia was arrested Saturday and accused of damaging a professor's car with a key. Last month, the 19 year-old was arrested and charged with drunkeness and failing to stop for a police officer.

http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/32524.html ALSO: Camp Shannon set to begin Things are about to get awfully different at Greentree Practice Field now that Commander Randy Shannon is at the helm. Spring football, set to begin Tuesday, is going to look and sound a lot more old-school. At least that's the way Commander Shannon made it sound Monday when he met with the media to lay down the foundation for the first spring practices at UM under his ruling fist. Among my favorite Shannon quotes: 1. "We don't have a quarterback situation." Followed by, "they will not be made available to the media until after the spring." 2. "We do not have any individuals. We do not have a starting lineup. We have to find a nucleus of 11 guys that can play offense, defense and special teams. We're going to find the best guys offensively and defensively so we can establish a team mentality more than individuals. We're going to keep the pressure on everybody." 3. "Sometimes individualization can destroy a team. I've seen that happen a lot of times when you focus on one thing the big picture is forgotten about. The big picture is we have to build a team that can win games at the University of Miami. 4. "The biggest point between winning and losing is competition." 5. "The more you mingle with guys the more you'll lay it on the line for guys you don't know. The biggest thing we've done and are changing is getting everybody to know each other and making sure they understand that everybody works hard. Now when it's time to lay it on the line I can't let you down, you can't let me down." If you didn't know what kind of coach Randy Shannon was going to be, maybe now you have inkling. Shannon, a former Canes linebacker himself, grew up in era at UM where competition brought out the best in everybody and when coaches sounded like they were reading from a manual. So, Monday, by declaring no positions belong to anybody and said things like 'there is no I in team', he's opened the door to this team being a whole lot better and likely a lot cornier when it speaks. I'm sure every Canes fan will be more than happy to start hearing some good old fashioned cliches in exchange for a better record and a better team atmosphere. As a writer, I can't say I'll be happy to put boring quotes in stories. But I am looking forward to seeing better football. And I've got a feeling this UM team won't be down for long. Unlike the previous regime, where coach Larry Coker never wanted Kyle Wright to feel like he wasn't going to be the starter by always telling the media "Kyle is the starter," everyone at The U will get to feel uncomfortable with Commander Shannon. And that's a good thing. Competition is what brought out the beast UM once was. And the folks Shannon has surrounded himself with, guys like linebacker Micheal Barrow and others, are cut from the same mold. If you're an old-school UM cat who enjoys the old-school UM way, this leadership group is going to make your toes tingle. But if you're a talented recruit who has grown up in the me-me-me world today, there could be problems when old school and new school clash. I suspect that will be the case with a least a few of the guys on this roster. That's certainly something that's going to be interesting to watch develop as Shannon rules this team. Over the next few months, I expect several kids who might have been starters or contributors to bolt or find themselves riding the bench because they aren't necessarily down with the new ideas (two, Rashaun Jones and Rhyan Anderson already have). I know what you're thinking: What's wrong with getting rid of guys who don't want to work hard or follow the new rules every time? Nothing, I'm an old school guy myself. I like the attitude of get with the program or get going. The problem is today's youth -- at least not everyone -- is not like that. And I'm afraid if Randy comes on too strong, The U might eventually end up losing some talented kids who probably aren't bad, but just need some extra guidance. I'm not saying Randy isn't capable of change. He could end up changing his hard stance on certain rules. But so far he's carried himself as a no-nonsense guy who doesn't seem like someone willing to give chances. And with today's kids, I'm not sure that's going to fly. All successful coaches have had to adapt a little. Which brings me to my question of the day for the blog: From what you've seen and heard of Randy Shannon thus far, do you feel this program will be better or worse? How do you feel about his stance on opening up every position for competition? And which players or position do you want to the most improvement out of by the end of the spring?

over the fact they only have 2 Saturday games. http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070301/SPORTS02/703010568/1002 http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070302/COLUMNISTS02/703020543/1002/SPORTS

Actually Shannon turned out to be 2nd choice.  Paul Dee the A.D. found out when interviewing Leach, that incoming coaches want to hire, who they want and not have someone shoved down their throat.  Dee wanted Shannon to be D.C. no matter who the new coach would be.  Gary Patterson was to be interviewed but that was cancelled and Shannon hired.  Shannon has hired some of the best recruiters in the country and they WILL BE BACK. CanesTime's Recruiter of the Year  Tim Walton  By Mike Bakas Date: Feb 15, 2007 One year after being named Recruiter of the Year by CanesTime.com, defensive coordinator Tim Walton has been given the honors again. McGriff Friday, February 16, 2007 Tribune-Herald staff report Just five weeks after leaving Baylor to take a job at Kansas State, Wesley McGriff has joined new University of Miami coach Randy Shannon’s staff as secondary coach. “It’s a no-brainer,†McGriff said Thursday night when he returned to Waco for a brief stopover. “You get a chance to go to a Top 10 program that’s going to be on TV nine or 10 times every year. I hate that it went so fast and I had to leave Kansas State like that. But how are you going to pass up an opportunity like that?†Kansas State coach Ron Prince said he was disappointed that McGriff took the Miami job, but “he made an impact in the short time he was here and we wish him the best.†Tim Walton will be promoted to defensive coordinator at Miami and will be a “walk-around†coach like Baylor’s Bill Bradley, McGriff said. He will return to Miami on Sunday and begin preparing for spring training. “This opportunity would never have been possible if Baylor and coach (Guy) Morriss hadn’t given me an opportunity to do what I did here,†said McGriff, who coached under Morriss for four years at Baylor and two at Kentucky before taking the Kansas State job last month. McGriff coached the Baylor cornerbacks and added the title of recruiting coordinator three years ago. Considered one of the top recruiters in the Big 12, McGriff has also coached running backs, safeties and special teams and served as a defensive coordinator in 18 years as an assistant.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/6478084

I had NO problem. Try double clicking maybe that will do it for you.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/02/14/0214sptncaarules.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=2762795&campaign=rss&source=NCFHeadlines

http://cfn.scout.com/2/618231.html