Neil Cornrich & NC Sports, LLC

Stoops brothers give back to area at Camp of Champions

2009-07-01T13:45:00.004-04:00

By JOHN VARGO Tribune Chronicle

July 1, 2009

From left, brothers Ron and Bob Stoops talk with Cardinal Mooney athletic director Don Bucci on Monday at Cardinal Mooney's Camp of Champions.

YOUNGSTOWN - Bob Stoops' gait wasn't that fast Monday. He took the time to enjoy the sights and talk to a few friends.

As he approached the Cardinal Mooney High School football practice field, it reminded him that he's a long ways from Oklahoma University.

"I love being back in the Valley seeing family and friends," said the Sooners football coach, who is heading into his 11th season in Norman, Okla. "There's nothing like it - seeing young kids coming out playing football and around Cardinal Mooney."

Bob, Ron and Mark Stoops, all Cardinal Mooney graduates, were at the Cardinals' Camp of Champions, which ended Tuesday.

"It's one big happy family and we enjoy spending some time with each other," said Mark, the defensive coordinator for his brother, Mike, at the University of Arizona.

You could say it's a vacation for Bob and Mark to return back home, but there's a lot of people demanding their time. Ron said their families go to the beach to get away.

"Here, we get spread thin with everybody else," said Ron, a Cardinal Mooney assistant coach.

This week, it was about guiding those young campers.

"You can see the kids are eager and they want to learn," Mark said. "They took the time to come here to camp. So, you want them to take something away to improve a little bit or work a little harder and also have some fun."

Arizona went 8-5 last season and Mark said he's looking forward to the upcoming campaign.

"We feel we have a good team coming in and excited about another year," he said.

Bob's Oklahoma team advanced to the BCS title game but lost to Florida. It was a successful season for the Sooners, nonetheless. He feels Oklahoma football can bring plenty of excitement to those in Norman.

"It's exciting. You wish you could be one game better," Bob said. "That's how it goes though. I'm proud of our players. They played hard throughout the year. Even though the championship game, they had a few more plays than we did and that's how it goes sometimes.

"Still, I'm proud of our players and people in our program to have gotten to that point. Hopefully, we'll get over the top."

Ron, on the other hand, is happy that Bob, one of the nation's high-profile coaches, can find time to come back to the Camp of Champions each year.

"Bob has been fantastic, so helpful to us," Ron said. "I really can't put it into words. I can't say enough to what he's doing, the commitment to the school and the program. He's been extremely generous with his time and resources. He's been a great brother and a great friend. He's been a great supporter for this community."

Meet the 2009 Rookies: Brian Hartline

2009-06-29T16:29:00.003-04:00

June 24, 2009

When the Dolphins drafted wide receiver Brian Hartline in the fourth round of April's NFL Draft they not only added size and speed to their receiving corps, but they also reunited two Ohio State Buckeyes in the process.

Third-year wideout Ted Ginn, Jr., who competed against Hartline in high school track and football up in Ohio, had been the only former Ohio State player wearing Miami's aqua and orange and had to stare down second-year quarterback Chad Henne and second-year left tackle Jake Long by himself last year when the two former Michigan Wolverines were rookies. Now he has another Ohio State alum in Hartline to keep him company - and he also has a familiar face running pass patterns with him during practice.

The 22-year-old Hartline is about three inches taller than Ginn at 6-feet-2 inches and a little heavier at 186 pounds compared to Ginn's 180, and while he would be hard pressed to cross the finish line ahead of Ginn in a foot race, he can get behind many a defensive back. At Glen Oak High School in North Canton, Ohio, Hartline captured state titles in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles as a senior and used that speed to his advantage as a two-year starter for the Buckeyes before opting to leave school early and declare for the draft. His study habits and athleticism left a lasting impression on the Dolphins receiver he no doubt will most often be compared to – Greg Camarillo – during OTAs and the three-day mini-camp held in the middle of June.

"He's faster than me and he makes some big plays, he's definitely a skilled receiver and I'm excited to see what he can do for us this year," said Camarillo, who is entering his fourth season and coming back from a torn ACL that cut short his 2008 campaign. "He's a smart guy. He picks up everything real quickly and I think he knows that if he asks questions he can learn a lot faster."

Hartline has leaned on Ginn more for the off-the-field stuff as he transitions to life as a professional football player since Ginn went through it under a bigger microscope as the ninth overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. During the short time he was on the same field and in the same locker room and weight room as the veterans, Hartline stayed close to Camarillo and listened intently to receivers coach Karl Dorrell.

Some of Hartline's most beneficial lessons, however, came inside the practice bubble away from the rest of the team when veteran quarterback Chad Pennington put in some extra work with the receivers. This is something Pennington has done throughout his career, not only with the receivers but with the offensive line as well, and for rookies like Hartline and Patrick Turner, the third-round pick out of USC, these sessions are invaluable.

"I love playing for him. I think he's a guy that's very meticulous and knows what he wants out of his receivers," Hartline said. "Again he's a veteran so he can kind of give you some ideas about running some routes and even kind of coach you up because he's seen so much of it. So to me that's a definite plus playing with Pennington and also playing with Henne."

Prior to his freshman year in high school, Henne played running back and linebacker and has talked about how that background helped him and still helps him on the field because he is aware of the linebackers' tendencies in the passing game and can appreciate how the running backs react as receivers. For Hartline, he can relate – but in reverse as he started out as a quarterback his junior year in high school before switching to wide receiver midway though the season.

Michael Hartline is Brian's younger brother and he evolved at the quarterback position to the point where he is currently the starting quarterback at the University of Kentucky, but Brian credits his experience as a quarterback along with his overall athleticism (he also played baseball and basketball in addition to football and track and field) with preparing him to succeed as a receiver. Head Coach Tony Sparano has liked what he has seen to this point, specifically with how Hartline fits in with the rest of the receivers.

"As of right now, I like the way it is shaping up. I really do. I think we have added a little more speed to our group right now," said Sparano, who hasn't ruled out keeping as many as six receivers on the roster. "When you look at (Anthony) Armstrong, Teddy (Ginn, Jr.), Hartline; these guys from a speed standpoint out there and the way they run (is a plus). We have added a little more size to the group certainly. Hartline is a big guy; Turner is certainly a big guy out there, Brandon London, so we have some size and athleticism.

"I think a couple guys will be interesting competition and might perform the same jobs as we get on in this thing. You have guys like (Davone) Bess, Camarillo, and Hartline, all guys that can play in the slot and do some of those type things as inside receivers, so it will be interesting to watch how the whole thing shakes down. I like the way the group complements each other and however many guys we keep at that position, we will be able find a role for each one of them at the game."

Another role Hartline is comfortable playing is on special teams as a gunner. He has been quoted boasting how he "likes to crack heads," and as a redshirt freshman with the Buckeyes he delivered the Jack Tatum hit of the week against Indiana while on special teams. Sparano and his staff place a lot of emphasis on being able to excel on special teams and will consider a player's prowess on that unit when making the decision on who to play and who not to play.

So far Hartline has said and done all the right things in the eyes of the coaches and his new teammates, and he harkens back to some of the important lessons he learned from his different high school coaches, specifically his hurdles coach at Glen Oak, Chad Palmer. Every coach he has played for has left an imprint on Hartline's development and he is looking forward to gleaning as much as he can from Sparano and Dorrell, as well as offensive coordinator Dan Henning and the other coaches.

"Every trait that Coach Sparano has is a trait that I like to see in a coach," said Hartline, who finished his college career with 90 catches for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns and earned the Paul Warfield award as the school's outstanding receiver as a sophomore. "He's very meticulous. He knows what he wants and he and Chad Pennington really kind of mirror each other sometimes and I think they have a great correlation that again rubs off on everyone else. He has high expectations, loves competition and again that kind of facilitates the rest of the team."

Hartline's goals and expectations headed into training camp are to continue to improve as a receiver and to show enough to Sparano and the others form a versatility standpoint to warrant a spot on the final 53-man roster. At least if that happens he'll be able to hold up his end of the bargain when the war of words about the Ohio State-Michigan game commence.

Andy Katzenmoyer selected to 2009 Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame

2009-06-29T10:58:00.010-04:00

June 23, 2009

The class will be officially inducted in two separate ceremonies September 25 and introduced to the public at halftime of the Ohio State home football game against Illinois September 26.

COLUMBUS -- Twelve members will be inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame the weekend of September 25-26, the Men’s Varsity O Alumni Association and the Women’s Varsity O Alumnae Society announced Tuesday. The class will be officially inducted in two separate ceremonies September 25 and introduced to the public at halftime of the Ohio State home football game against Illinois September 26.

The 2009 class includes: Men - Neal Colzie (football), Robert Gary (cross country/track and field), Bob Hopper (swimming), Andy Katzenmoyer (football), Dick LeBeau (football), Michael Redd (basketball) and Pandel Savic (football); Women - Kaja Fiserova (rowing), Allison Hanna (golf), Vanessa Immordino (field hockey), Emma Laaksonen (ice hockey) and Jim Montrella (swimming coach).

Andy Katzenmoyer Football 1996-98 All-American Andy Katzenmoyer won the Dick Butkus Award in 1997, the first Ohio State middle linebacker to win the award. A three-time First Team All-Big Ten member, Katzenmoyer put up big numbers, ranking in the Top 10 in Ohio State record books for career solo tackles, tackles for loss in a game, season and career, tackles for loss yards in a season and career, quarterback sacks in a game, season and career, quarterback sack yards in a season and career, and career interception returns for touchdowns. A member of the 1997 Rose Bowl champion Buckeyes, Katzenmoyer was selected in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, but suffered a neck injury in his first season that cut his professional career short.

Stoops is college football's $5 million man

2009-06-25T11:51:00.005-04:00

Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops speaks during a press conference last January. OU Regents announced Stoops will make almost $5 million in 2011.

By GUERIN EMIG

June 24, 2009

ARDMORE -- Bob Stoops will make nearly $5 million as Oklahoma football coach in 2011, should he remain that long, according to his revised contract approved Wednesday by the OU Board of Regents at their annually scheduled meeting in Ardmore.

The regents also approved raises for OU basketball coaches Jeff Capel — his guaranteed salary increases from $1.05 to $1.5 million — and Sherri Coale, as well as baseball coach Sunny Golloway and softball coach Patty Gasso. Members of Capel’s, Coale’s and Stoops’ staffs were given raises as well.

Stoops’ reworked deal, which was extended two years through Dec. 31, 2015, allows for a current guaranteed $2.975 million. It also calls for a $700,000 annual stay bonus, first payable Oct. 1. Meaning, when Stoops takes the sideline for the next OU-Texas game, he’ll be making $3.675 million.

An additional bonus, termed in the contract an “Additional Stay Benefit,” of $800,000 will be paid following Jan. 1, 2011. Factoring in the $700,000 bonus already in place, as well as the automatic $200,000 annual private-funds bump also built into the contract, Stoops stands to make $4.875 million in 2011. And that’s before performance-based bonuses also included in the deal. Should the Sooners compete for the Big 12 championship and a BCS bowl that season, as is typical under the coach, Stoops would clear the $5 million mark.

All told, his seven-year pact is worth $30.125 million.

“This university is so fortunate to have a terrific leader, an outsanding football coach, a person with impeccable character like Coach Stoops,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said after the regents adjourned, “with a proven record of success. With Jeff Capel and Sherri Coale, you see there’s a common thread of characteristics ... We feel just as grateful to have them leading our programs. We’re grateful that our president and our board show the leadership and demonstrate their support for what we’re trying to achieve.”

Capel, who last season coached the OU men to 30 victories and their first Elite Eight appearance since 2003, had his contract extended two years through June 30, 2016. As with Stoops’ contract, there are annual bumps built in — $50,000 through the 2011-12 season, then $70,000 through 2013-14 and $80,000 through 2015-16 — and two tiers of bonus money allowed.

Capel receives a stay bonus of $1.1 million following June 30, 2014, and what is termed a “supplemental” stay bonus of $400,000 following June 30, 2016. Should he remain OU coach through the 13-14 season, Capel is in line to receive $2.84 million. As it stands, his current guarantee of $1.5 million makes him the third-highest paid coach in the Big 12 Conference, behind Kansas’ Bill Self and Texas’ Rick Barnes, whereas before he ranked sixth. It also symbolizes what Castiglione hopes is a preemptive strike against programs who have shown interest in the 34-year-old coach after OU’s past two seasons.

“What he is attempting to build with the program is outstanding,” Castigloine said of Capel. “It’s important for continuity, because people around the country are seeing Oklahoma basketball in a very special way. He and our team have opened people’s eyes, and hopefully made it attractive to be part of this program and its growth and where it’s headed...

“We are very grateful that he has expressed his passion to stay and build this program, and create it as a destination job.”

Coale, who steered the OU women to their first Final Four since 2002 last season, closed in on the $1 million mark Wednesday. Regents approved a $60,000 guaranteed income hike to $900,000, with performance-based bonuses built in as well. Coale’s contract continues through July 1, 2017.

Golloway, whose Sooners bounced back from two straight shaky seasons to win 44 games and host an NCAA regional last year, was given a three-year extension through the 2013 season. He’ll make a guaranteed $201,000 under terms of the new deal.

“You don’t always reflect on one year,” Castiglione said when asked if Golloway’s extension was a result of his ‘09 success, “although it does validate things are being done the right way. I think this year established some momentum in our program that we haven’t had in a while.”

Among OU staffs. Capel assistants Mark Cline, Oronde Taliaferro and Ben Betts all received $12,000 raises in guaranteed income. But the raises issued Stoops’ assistants varied.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was given the highest bump, $100,000, to a guaranteed $385,000. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables was next at $50,000, to $395,000.

Quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, perhaps cashing in on the success of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, received a $44,000 raise, to $200,000.

Other staff raises ranged from $25,000 (Jay Norvell) to $15,000 (Cale Gundy, Jackie Shipp and James Patton) to $10,000 (Bobby Jack Wright and Chris Wilson).

In other action, the regents bumped Gasso’s salary to $133,000 and approved contracts for new coaches Ryan Hybl (men’s golf, $100,000) and John Roddick (men’s tennis, $99,800).

Atlanta's Mike Smith tops NFC South Head Coaches

2009-06-25T11:17:00.002-04:00

Ranking the NFC South coaching staffs

June 21, 2009

By Pat Yasinskas

Our final stop in our series of NFC South position rankings is the coaches. This was one of the tougher calls (at least for the top two spots) and it's important to note, we're not just ranking head coaches. We're factoring the entire coaching staffs.

1. Atlanta. Mike Smith worked a miracle in his first year, taking one of the league's worst teams and turning it into a playoff squad. Yes, he's got to do it again to fully prove himself as an elite coach. But I like Smith's chances of doing that. The best thing Smith did was surround himself with an all-star staff. Brian VanGorder will be a head coach before long. Mike Mularkey will get another shot as a head coach. Position coaches like Emmitt Thomas, Paul Boudreau and Bill Musgrave are among the best in the league at what they do.

2. Carolina. There's no question John Fox has the best résumé in the division and that's why I came very close to going with him at No. 1. Fox is the only division coach to have taken his team to the Super Bowl, but he's never had back-to-back winning seasons. He's got a good chance to change that this year. But there were two reasons I gave the nod to Smith. First, I'm still trying to figure out why Fox, with one of the league's best running games, decided to put it all on Jake Delhomme on a rainy night in the playoff loss to Arizona. Don't tell me it was because the Panthers got behind. They weren't using the running game much before that. Second, and this one is bigger, Fox's staff had some major changes in the offseason. Just about the entire defensive staff left voluntarily and that makes you wonder about things like harmony and chemistry. There was a time early in his tenure when Fox had one of the league's best coaching staffs. Maybe the new coaches will work out well, but we have to wait to see.

3. New Orleans. I think there's a very good chance Sean Payton moves up a spot or two this season. But you can't put him in the top two right now because the Saints have underachieved the last two seasons. A lot of that was due to injuries and bad luck, but that's all part of a coach's body of work. There's no doubt Payton is one of the best offensive minds in the game. But defense was the problem last year. That's why Payton went out and got Gregg Williams as the defensive coordinator. Williams has done great things defensively and Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis have given him a lot of good parts to work with. If he can just make the Saints average on defense, they'll be a playoff team and Payton will be a rising star again.

4. Tampa Bay. Raheem Morris has never been a head coach on any level and, at 32, is the league's youngest head coach. He's an unknown, so I have no choice but to rank him last right now. But I think there's tremendous upside with Morris. He relates extremely well to the players and that was an area where predecessor Jon Gruden was lacking. But the best thing I can say about Morris right now is he put together a very good staff. Much like Smith last year, Morris made sure he got experienced coordinators to help him. Jim Bates knows how to run a defense and has some experience as a head coach. Jeff Jagodzinski helped develop Matt Ryan at Boston College and will be in charge of developing rookie quarterback Josh Freeman.

Former Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman signs with Jacksonville

2009-06-18T16:18:00.003-04:00

By: Doug Lesmerises

June 18, 2009

Former Buckeye quarterback Todd Boeckman, who was an All-Big Ten pick in 2007 before losing his job to Terrelle Pryor during last season, is getting a shot in the NFL.

He has signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to his Beachwood-based agent, Neil Cornrich. Boeckman earlier had a tryout with Cincinnati but didn’t sign with the Bengals.

Jacksonville previously signed former Buckeye defensive tackle Nader Abdallah in May after he also went undrafted, but the Jaguars waived Abdallah two weeks ago.

It certainly seems possible to me that Boeckman could hook on as a third quarterback. He has the size, the head and the attitude to handle himself in the NFL.

Boeckman signs NFL contract with Jacksonville

2009-06-18T16:06:00.004-04:00

By Eric Frantz

June 18, 2009

According to Neil Cornrich and NC Sports, LLC, former Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman has agreed to terms on a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Contract specifics were not released.

Boeckman, a St. Henry High School graduate, was named to the 2007 All-Big Ten team and was a team captain for the Buckeyes this past season.

He started 17 games during his career at Ohio State.

Only one high school in Ohio State history has produced two starting quarterbacks for the Buckeyes – St. Henry. Former St. Henry grad Bobby Hoying, a member of the OSU Hall of Fame, played QB for the Buckeyes from 1993-95. He too was All-Big Ten. Hoying played in the NFL for Oakland and Philadelphia.

Bob Stoops Coaching Accomplishments

2009-06-18T15:28:00.003-04:00

By Boomer Sooner

June 15, 2009

• Stoops is 109-24 overall, 72-14 vs. the Big 12, 39-10 vs. the Big 12 South, 31-4 vs. the Big 12 North, 6-1 in the Big 12 title game, 37-10 vs. non-conference opponents, 60-2 at home, 31-11 on the road, 16-11 on neutral fields, 33-12 vs. ranked opponents, 4-6 in bowls, 3-5 in January bowls and 2-5 in BCS games.

• OU has set or tied more than 180 school records under Stoops, not including bowl bests and marks specific to a particular position (i.e., receptions by a running back). Among those marks under Stoops are passing for a game, season and career; receiving for a game, season and career; and rushing for a season.

• Stoops has authored two of the seven longest winning streaks in Oklahoma history. His 2000 and 2001 teams won 20 straight, while the 2002 and 2003 teams reeled off 14 in a row. Those victories all came against I-A opponents.

• Oklahoma owns the nation’s longest home field winning streak at 24. That’s the second longest streak in school history just one behind a 25-in-a-row string that ended in 1953. Stoops also has fashioned two other streaks of 19 straight.

• OU won the 2000 national championship, played for two more and captured six Big 12 South crowns and six Big 12 titles. Oklahoma has spent 24 weeks at No. 1.

• OU has held a double-digit lead in 112 of Stoops’ 133 games.

• Oklahoma has played in 10 bowl games. Never had an OU coach taken even his first three teams to bowls. Prior to Stoops’ arrival, OU had not played in one of what is now a BCS game since the 1988 Orange Bowl (1987 season). Stoops, in his second season, led OU to the 2001 Orange Bowl (2000 season).

• An OU player has finished among the top seven in the Heisman voting six times on Stoops’ watch: Sam Bradford (No. 1 in 2008), Adrian Peterson (No. 2 in 2004), Jason White (No. 3 in 2004), Jason White (No. 1 in 2003), Roy Williams (No. 7 in 2001) and Josh Heupel (No. 2 in 2000).

• Under Stoops, OU has produced 29 All-Americans; two AP Players of the Year (Heupel, White); two Nagurski Award winners (Williams, Derrick Strait); two Thorpe Award winners (Williams, Strait); two Butkus Award winners (Rocky Calmus, Teddy Lehman); one Bednarik Award winner (Lehman); one Lombardi Award winner (Tommie Harris); one Walter Camp winner (Heupel); three O’Brien Award winners (Sam Bradford and White twice); a Maxwell Award winner (White); a Unitas Award winner (White); an Outland Trophy winner (Jammal Brown) and one Mosi Tatupu Award winner (J.T. Thatcher).

• OU has had a Butkus finalist in four of the last eight years and a Lombardi finalist in three of the last six. The Sooners also have had finalists for the Biletnikoff, Groza, Guy, Hendricks, Mackey and Doak Walker awards.

• In 1996 and 1997, his Florida defense scored eight touchdowns. The 1996 Gators won the national championship.

• During his final four seasons in Manhattan, Kansas State posted a 35-12 record and played in three bowl games.

Johnson still searching for WNBA title

2009-06-16T14:52:00.003-04:00

BY LOU BEZJAK

June 5, 2009

Shannon Johnson has accomplished many things during her basketball career.

From winning state championships at Hartsville High to playing in the NCAA tournament at South Carolina and winning a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, Johnson has done it all.

But one thing has eluded her — a WNBA championship.

That’s one of the driving forces for Johnson, who will begin her 11th WNBA season Saturday when the Seattle Storm face Sacramento.

Johnson’s best shot at a title came in 2007 as a member of the Detroit Shock. The Shock, coached by former Piston Bill Laimbeer, lost to the Phoenix Mercury 3-2 in the WNBA Finals.

“That was a great experience and was fun to be part of and I enjoyed every minute of it,” Johnson said this week. “Hopefully that could happen in Seattle. They are one of the more established teams in the league and competitive every year.”

Johnson is in her first season with Storm. She signed a two-year deal last season to play with the Houston Comets but the team folded after the season, making her a free agent.

Johnson landed in Seattle, mainly because of her relationship with coach Brian Agler. She won two titles playing for Agler in the ABL with Columbus and also played for him in the WNBA for one season when he was an assistant for the San Antonio Silver Stars.

“He is like a father figure to me and a good teacher,” said Johnson, who ranks second all-time in the WNBA with 1,372 assists. “He is a defensively minded coach and I think I fit pretty good in the system. I just want to go out and keep being productive.”

Johnson’s primary role will be to back up guards Sue Bird and Tanisha Parker and also to provide leadership to the team.

“I think she’s going to play real well for us this year,” Agler said in an interview on the team’s Web site. “Whether it’s a role that she plays supplemental coming in behind Sue and Tanisha or there will be times where she’s on the floor with them. She’s experienced. She’s been in both situations. She knows how to be competitive and be prepared.”

Seattle is the latest stop for Johnson in her basketball odyssey, which has spanned two continents during her 13-year professional career.

Johnson has a home in Spain, although she said she doesn’t spend much time there except when she is playing there in the offseason.

This year, she played for Spain’s EBE Ibiza-PDV and averaged 13.8 points and three assists per game.

“I have seen the world playing basketball,” Johnson said. “I wouldn’t have thought I would be able to keep playing for this long.

“I have been able to keep myself in good shape by lifting weights and away from injuries. Plus, I love to play the game and it’s still fun for me.”

And the 35-year-old Johnson says she doesn’t have plans of slowing down.

Johnson says she would like to play a few more years then possibly get involved in college coaching. She said a perfect scenario would be to be reunited with her friend and former Olympic teammate Dawn Staley, the women’s coach at South Carolina.

“I would love to give back to the women’s game by coaching. I have been so blessed to be able to play this game,” Johnson said. “That’s definitely something I want to do and would be a good next step in my career.”

JOHNSON FILE
HOMETOWN: Hartsville
YEARS IN WNBA: 11
TEAMS: Six (Orlando/Connecticut, San Antonio, Detroit, Houston and Seattle)
SCORING: 3,417, 10.7 per game
ASSISTS: 1,372, 4.3 per game
HONORS: Four-time WNBA All-Star

Ferentz Honored By Neag School Of Education

2009-05-21T14:38:00.002-04:00

Ferentz Named Distinguised Alumnus At UConn

May 20, 2009

STORRS, Conn. - Former University of Connecticut football student-athlete Kirk Ferentz, who now serves as the head football coach at the University of Iowa, was honored by UConn's Neag School of Education as its Distinguished Alumnus on Saturday night.

A native of Royal Oak, Mich., Ferentz attended Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburgh. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in English education. He was a team captain and an Academic All-Yankee Conference linebacker at UConn.

Ferentz will be entering his 11th year at Iowa in 2009 and he also served as the head coach at Maine from 1990-92. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at UConn in 1977 and was an assistant coach at Worcester (Mass.) Academy from 1978-79. A graduate assistant at Pittsburgh in 1990, Ferentz first came to Iowa as an assistant coach from 1981-89 before taking the Maine job. He was also an assistant coach in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens from 1993-98 before taking the Iowa job.

He was the 2002 Associated Press and Walter Camp Football Foundation National Coach of the Year. He has led Iowa to a pair of Big Ten championships and seven bowl games during his tenure.

Patriots’ Porter wrestles with an all new field

2009-05-04T16:41:00.003-04:00

Former Kent State wrestler looks to make transition to NFL
________________________________________
By Glen Farley

May 1, 2009

FOXBORO —
Jermail Porter is well aware that the New England Patriots have gone to the mat for his type before.

“I watched a lot of wrestling film on Stephen Neal, first and foremost, because he was probably the greatest college heavyweight of all time, even internationally,”Porter said between Friday’s double session on the opening day of the team’s rookie minicamp on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium.

“So I watched a lot of film on him and this is the avenue he took. It seemed like this could be a possible transition for me as well.”

Like Neal eight years before him, Porter is attempting to make the transition from collegiate wrestler to professional football player.

“I’m learning,” said Porter, who has gone from All-America heavyweight wrestler at Kent State to a rookie free-agent offensive lineman in the Patriots’ rookie minicamp. “It’s a different world for me.”

It truly is an all-new world to the native of Akron, Ohio.

“Very new,” he said. “I didn’t play high school or college, obviously. I didn’t even play peewee because I was always overweight for the weight limit. And I end up wrestling. Go figure. I have no experience. This is all new to me. It’s a whole new world.”

A whole new world Porter was anxious to explore.

“This is something I wanted,” said Porter. “I’ve been thinking about this since my junior season of college. I wanted to pursue this after college. I just wasn’t sure where to start.

“Fortunately, some people pointed me in the right direction so here I am.”

The right direction ultimately being Foxboro, where Neal, who, like Porter, employs Neil Cornrich as his agent, has found a football home.

It was 2001 when Patriots head coach Bill Belichick brought Neal in from Cal State-Bakersfield where he’d won two NCAA Div. 1 wrestling titles. Three years later, after a couple of lengthy stints on injured reserve, Belichick had himself a starting right guard.

“With Stephen, we started him on the defensive side of the ball and eventually moved him back to the offensive side of the ball,” Belichick reflected on Friday. “We just have to see how it goes (with Porter). Right now, he’s working on offense. We might flip him over. We’ll see how it goes.

“We’re just kind of taking it day by day and see how he does in different drills, different situations and just take it one step at a time. (We) really haven’t any expectations other than as long as he’s improving, we’ll keep working with him and see where the best fit might be.”

In the coach’s opinion, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Porter may fit in New England.

“He’s certainly a good-looking kid,” said Belichick. “(He’s) got a good frame, got good balance. We know that from wrestling.”

Porter, who compiled a 119-43 career record at Kent State and placed sixth at this year’s NCAA Championships, believes lessons learned on the wrestling mat can translate to the football field.

“Leverage, balance, footwork — all that kind of stuff so far, as far as I’m learning, all transferred over,” said Porter. “It’s very much a part of football as it is in wrestling.”

That aside, Porter realizes he will have to make major strides in order to pin down a job in pro football.

“Coach ‘Scar’ (offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia) and all those guys are very patient with me,” said Porter. “I’m learning. I’m the most inexperienced guy out here so I’m learning every second.

“I’m maybe like five percent in there. My body’s there, but I’m catching on. I feel more informed. I know more now through this first practice than I did before I came in here. (I’m) trying to work hard and learn more.”

Hartline looks good at Dolphins' rookie camp

2009-05-04T15:23:00.005-04:00

Dolphins rookie camp wrap - Day 2

From Omar Kelly's SunSentinel Blog on May 2, 2009

Every rookie camp the Miami Dolphins throw as much as they possibly can at the rookies and newcomers and watch to see whose head is swimming, and which players gobble it up. Who improves throughout the weekend, and who regresses.

Coach Tony Sparano said today was about seeing who can handle how much information -- take the stuff they're taught in the classroom and apply it on the field.

"We beat them up pretty good in the meeting rooms. We gave them an awful lot," said Sparano, who admitted he's pulling for two undrafted rookies to make the team.

I've always felt the small school players have the toughest road, but the upside is promising.

While I didn't see Saturday's session because of my wife's graduation, cohort Steve Gorten (my hockey homeboy) did his best to keep The Mob from missing a beat.

Steve, who runs a nice Panthers blog I'd like you to click on just to say "THANK YOU STEVE", says....

Fourth-round draft pick Brian Hartline looked good. He caught about a 15-yard pass from Nathan Longshore and a 20-yarder over Vontae Davis on a pass from Pat White. The second one, near the sideline, was an especially nice throw and catch. Hartline also had another impressive catch against Davis.

Hartline said he finally caught up with fellow Buckeye Ted Ginn Jr. and they chatted at the Dolphins' facility on Friday. While he's trying to digest the playbook Hartline is also busy juggling school work, trying to finish up his classes at Ohio State.

On balancing classes and NFL, Hartline said: "It is a little difficult, I’d be lying if I said otherwise, just because it’s really a second priority now. School being a second priority still demands a lot. This is my most important thing right now. Finishing up classes, but also being focused on this has been a little difficult, but I’m getting through it."

The dude also apparently was licking his chops to get his Dolphins playbook:

"I enjoy that kind of stuff. Sometimes it can help separate you, so I was more eager to get it so I could get started," Hartline said. "Once I received it, I calmed down and just got into it."

Randy Shannon to Receive Prestigious Keith Tribble Trailblazer Award

2009-05-01T16:31:00.002-04:00

By Alice Meikle

April 20, 2009

The Orange Bowl continues its community outreach effort in South Florida, as its reaches out to citizen’s young and old recognizing their contribution in education and sport. The ”OBC” especially placed their focus on youth academic and athletic programs says Lynn Washington, co-chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Orange Bowl Field of Dreams Committee.

The Orange Bowl Committee has been celebrating with America’s future leaders and the OBC’s legacy has been realized for some 75 years or more.

The Orange Bowl Committee will host its seventh annual Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Field Of Dreams Scholarship Benefit on Friday May 8 at the Broward County Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida commencing with a reception at 7 p.m. followed by dinner and entertainment at 8 p.m.

The Orange Bowl Keith Tribble Trailblazer Award is annually presented to an innovator, pioneer and ground breaker, a person who has helped open doors, blazed trails and prepared a way for others to have better lives.

So it was only fitting when the OBC decided to select the 2009 recipient for this prestigious award, as University of Miami Head Football Coach Randy Shannon. The OBC feels that Randy Shannon has made an individual contribution, which has significantly impacted the South Florida community at large.

Shannon was named head football coach of the University of Miami on December 8, 2006. A native of Miami, Shannon, played at Norland High School before moving on to the University of Miami where he was a four-year letterman and starting outside linebacker on the 1987 National Championship team.

After graduation, he played for the Dallas Cowboys before moving into coaching at the University level, before joining the Dolphins staff. He returned to UM as defensive coordinator for six years, coaching top 10 defenses in five of those six seasons before being named the 20th head coach in school history.

Shannon, 43, played on or was a coach for three of the school’s five national championship teams. He is one of only seven African American head coaches from among the 119 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1-A).

Other recognitions include Barrington Irving, the youngest and first black person to pilot a plane around the world solo, Christopher L. Smith Florida State Senator District 29 and founder of The Chris Smith All-star Football Classic, and Clarence Anthony former Mayor of South Bay and is presently the Chief Marketing Officer and Presiding Director of the Board of Directors for Post Buckley Schuh & Jernigan, Inc.

“Everything is in place for one of the more successful, star-studded and meritorious group of honorees since the Field of Dreams began. This promises to be one of the premiere events of the season.

Now part of the Orange Bowl Committee’s 75 year legacy, our Field of Dreams offers a can’t miss night of entertainment, recognition and the generous spirit of South Florida,” comments Antonia “Toni” Williams-Gary, Co Chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Orange Bowl Field of Dreams Committee.

The Field of Dreams Scholarship Benefit is an annual Orange Bowl Committee event with a purpose of providing college scholarship funding for deserving high school seniors.

The program has awarded individual scholarships, and contributed over $300,000 for African-American scholarships to organizations such as the Tom Joyner Foundation, The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, Florida Memorial University’s Athletic Scholarship Fund and the UNCF.

The Orange Bowl Committee is a not-for-profit, 330-member, primarily-volunteer organization. It is a self-sustaining, independent organization that supports and produces activities and events that enhance the image, economy and culture of South Florida. The Orange Bowl Festival features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 5, 2010.

In 2013, the OBC will again double-host both the FedEx Orange Bowl and the BCS National Championship. Other OBC core events include the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships and Orange Bowl Sailing Regatta Series.

For more information on the 2009-10 Orange Bowl Festival and its events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program.

No experience necessary: KSU's Porter going to Patriots

2009-04-29T14:28:00.005-04:00

By Jonas Fortune

April 27, 2009

Just one month ago Kent State senior wrestler Jermail Porter earned All-American status at the 2009 NCAA Championships in St. Louis, The first Kent State wrestler to do so since 1986.

It was what happened the week leading up to the finals though that changed his future.

Kent State assistant football coach Larry McDaniel approached the former Firestone High School graduate about playing professional football after his college-wrestling career ended.

''It was unexpected for me,'' Porter said in a phone interview. ''It's a new adventure.''

Apparently the New England Patriots had the same thoughts about the 6-foot-6, 312-pound heavyweight. Porter has reached an agreement with the Patriots as a non-drafted free agent, and potential offensive lineman.

The deal is not official yet, as Porter, who is waiting for the contract to be mailed to him. He is already scheduled to participate in the Patriot's rookie camp Thursday through Sunday.

The Patriots could not be a better fit for Porter, who said he has always been interested in playing football, but never played for an organized team; college, high school, or otherwise.

Patriots starting guard Stephen Neal is a former college wrestler, who did not play college football. Neal won two NCAA titles at Cal State-Bakersfield and won the Dan Hodge Award, Wrestling's Heisman Trophy, in 1999.

''It is one of the things I am so excited because they have such good teachers there,'' Porter said.

It doesn't hurt that he and Neal share the same agent in Neil Cornrich.

For the past several weeks Porter has been working with the Kent State football staff in preparation for the draft.

''The training wasn't that different, just fine tuning the mechanics from wrestling to football,'' Porter said. ''Most of it is stuff I am already equipped to do from wrestling.''

Sports Illustrated "Loves" Dolphins' Draft Pick Brian Hartline

2009-04-28T13:02:00.007-04:00

From Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarterback," April 27, 2009

Miami. Love Pat White; great pick to run the option. (And stop the silliness, Dolphins, about White having a good shot to beat out Chad Henne as the successor to Chad Pennington. I'm not buying it for a second.) One of the most intriguing prospects of this, or any, draft came in round four: 6-4 corner Sean Smith from Utah ... One guy I'd watch closely in camp is Brian Hartline, the round-four receiver, because he played special-teams for three years at Ohio State, played slot receiver and split receiver. He's a fascinating prospect.

Ten Things I Think I Think

• I don't like Brian Hartline to the Dolphins in the fourth round. I love it.

NC Sports Clients Washington, Hartline selected in NFL draft

2009-04-27T15:23:00.007-04:00

Seven Buckeyes go in draft

April 27, 2009

By Doug Lesmerises

When USC drummed Ohio State, 35-3, last September, the game was like an NFL exhibition. Over the weekend in the NFL Draft, the Trojans beat the Buckeyes again, but no other school did.

With cornerback Donald Washington (Kansas City) and receiver Brian Hartline (Miami) selected in the fourth round Sunday and linebacker Marcus Freeman taken in the fifth round (Chicago), Ohio State finished with seven players taken in the seven-round draft, after Malcolm Jenkins and Chris "Beanie" Wells went in Saturday's first round and James Laurinaitis and Brian Robiskie went in the second.

That tied Oregon State and South Carolina for the second-most picks, behind the 11 the Trojans produced, including eight on the defensive side. No wonder Ohio State didn't score a touchdown in that game.

But the day ended without a selection for OSU offensive tackle Alex Boone, defensive tackle Nader Abdallah and quarterback Todd Boeckman. Boone, a Lakewood St. Edward grad, signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers shortly after the draft.

"It was a humbling experience, that's for sure," Boone said of watching the draft all day. He was projected as a high pick before his senior season at Ohio State, but saw his status affected by an arrest in California for public intoxication before the NFL Combine.

"I learned some lessons the hard way," Boone said. "But the 49ers called and were very interested and pushing for me, and right now it's the best fit for me."

Freeman was picked, but he also waited and went lower than many expected.

"You go through a mixture of emotions," Freeman said after he was the 17th linebacker selected and the 154th overall pick. "Once you get out of the first couple of rounds you go from excited to anxious to nervous to disappointed. But once it's over, it's over, and your emotions go out the window and you're relieved to be able to go and play."

Washington, pick No. 102, and Hartline, No. 108, had to be somewhat satisfied with their positions after they had turned heads at the NFL Combine, Washington with his vertical jump and athleticism and Hartline with his agility and quickness.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley said the Chiefs thought about moving up to get Washington in the third round and were happy he fell to them in the fourth. Washington was suspended for two games for violating OSU team rules last season, but Haley said the Chiefs put that to rest after meeting with Washington for a day-and-a-half and talking extensively with OSU coaches and agent Neil Cornrich before the draft.

"He's a very good athlete, I mean very good," Haley said at a news conference in Kansas City. "I think he's under the radar just a little bit because he didn't start full time last year."

Hartline is expected to work in as a slot receiver, though Miami selected one of those USC players, receiver Patrick Turner, ahead of him in the third round. Hartline should also be a special teamer with the Dolphins, telling reporters on a conference call that he liked "cracking heads" on kick coverage. He'll join fellow former Cleveland Glenville High and OSU receiver Ted Ginn Jr. in Miami, though he said his best NFL comparison is his OSU mentor, Cleveland St. Ignatius graduate Anthony Gonzalez of the Indianapolis Colts.

Considering both Washington and Hartline surprised some fans by turning pro as juniors, they at least didn't have to wait too long on the draft's second day.

"After I went to the combine I felt a lot better about my decision," Hartline said on a conference call. "It worked out. It's hard to justify what exactly made me decide to further my career [in the NFL], but Ohio State was great to me, and hopefully one day I can repay the favor."

Ryan Durand receives 2009 Soloday Award

2009-04-22T16:47:00.003-04:00

'Cuse Awards Celebrates Orange Success

April 19, 2009

Syracuse student-athletes took center stage to celebrate the extraordinary athletic, academic and community service achievements of Syracuse University Athletics in 2008-09. Orange student-athletes, coaches and staff gathered at the Landmark Theater on April 19 for the third annual 'Cuse Awards.

The 2009 Soladay Awards were presented to lacrosse student-athlete Katie Rowan and football student-athlete Ryan Durand. The Soladay award is the highest honor bestowed upon a senior male and female student-athlete. Rowan set single-season school records with 123 points and 57 assists and she has become Syracuse's all-time leader in points, assists and goals. A unanimous 2008 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Rowan earned the 2008 BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year award and was named the 2008 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player. Durand is a two-time ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American and was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation Draddy Trophy, recognizing the best scholar-athletes in college football. In 2008, Durand and the offensive line were Instrumental in helping running back Curtis Brinkley become the eighth different player in Syracuse history to record 1,000 rushing yards in a season.

Cole Looking Sharp at Seahawks Camp

2009-04-13T11:16:00.003-04:00

From Chris Egan's Seahawks Blog, April 8, 2009

If you haven't seen one of the newest Hawks on defense, then you haven't been to the Hawks mini-camp this week. Defensive Tackle Colin Cole is a beast, 6'1" and 330 pounds. Don't let the weight fool ya, this guy can bring it. I watched him closely at practice today and he knows how to turn on the jets for a big man. With Cole, Brandon Mebane, Cory Redding, Red Bryant and Craig Terrill all at D-tackle, I think the Hawks finally have the cupboard's full at that position. "I'm here to help wherever I can", says Cole. "I'll work hard, learn the schemes and do what I can to get this team back to the top." The former Green Bay Packer is excited to be in Seattle and I'm excited to get the chance to cover this guy.

Ferentz tops Rodriguez for top spot in Big Ten coaching rankings

2009-04-08T15:33:00.004-04:00

By Tom Dienhart

April 7, 2009

The Big Ten is loaded with plenty of veteran coaching talent, but most of it hasn't been in place at its current school for long. Seven of the coaches have been on the job three years or less; Purdue's Danny Hope is in his first year, Michigan's Rich Rodriguez begins his second in Ann Arbor and Minnesota's Tim Brewster, Indiana's Bill Lynch and Michigan State's Mark Dantonio enter their third seasons.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin's Bret Bielema and Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald will be starting their fourth years and Illinois' Ron Zook is embarking on his fifth season. That means the real veterans are Ohio State's Jim Tressel (ninth season), Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (11th season) and Penn State's Joe Paterno (44th season).

Ranking the Big Ten coaches:

1. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
The true measure of a man is how he responds to adversity. Ferentz has passed the test, pulling the Hawkeyes from a three-year slump to a 9-4 mark in 2008. Even better, Ferentz appears to have Iowa poised for another glorious run after leading the school to two Big Ten crowns from 2002-04. And Ferentz has done all of this with less-than-blue-chip talent.

2. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan
Think round peg, square hole. That's the best way to describe Rich Rod's dubious and dreadful debut. We all know he's better than that. Witness the national power he built at West Virginia, where he amassed a 60-26 record and four Big East titles. It was painfully obvious the offensive personnel Rodriguez inherited in Ann Arbor were ill-suited to run his spread-option offense. That slowly will change as he fills the roster with his players. Then, look out.

3. Jim Tressel, Ohio State
Let's go ahead and bronze Tressel's sweater vest. He has won five Big Ten crowns and the 2002 BCS championship, and he played for two other BCS titles. He hasn't even been on the job for 10 seasons, but he's posted an 83-19 record in his time in Columbus. Not bad for a former Football Championship Subdivision (i.e., Division I-AA) coach.

4. Joe Paterno, Penn State
His recent success seemingly renders moot any notion JoePa should retire. He obviously still has it, coming off his second Big Ten title in four seasons. In fact, JoePa appears energized and healthy and primed to pad his lead as the all-time leader in Division I-A victories (383).

5. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
This all must seem so delicious for Dantonio. He followed a 7-6 debut with a sterling 9-4 record that had Sparty in Big Ten title contention late in the season. Dantonio's secret to success is simple: smart, tough, disciplined football built around defense. As long as he's in East Lansing, Michigan State will be an upper-division Big Ten challenger. And a conference title drought that stretches from 1990 figures to end soon.

6. Ron Zook, Illinois
Zook answered the critics who say he can't coach by leading the Fighting Illini to the Rose Bowl after the 2007 season. Zook is an unmatched recruiter who has built a strong staff, leading to a renaissance in facilities and attitudes in Champaign. Energy, enthusiasm and an ability to connect with players fuel Zook's success.

7. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
There are rumblings about how Wisconsin's record has gotten worse each season under Bielema, dropping from 12-1 to 9-4 to 7-6. Give the intense Bielema credit for altering his offseason approach, looking to connect better with the players and enhance their development. More than anything, Bielema needs a quarterback to emerge during this critical season in his career. Don't bet against the smart, hard-working Bielema getting the Badgers back on track.

8. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
Cut him, and "Fitz" bleeds purple. Fitzgerald's coaching ability quickly is catching up to his energy and enthusiasm for his alma mater. At age 34, the best is yet to come for Fitzgerald. Each season in Evanston, Fitzgerald has improved the Wildcats' record, from 4-8 to 6-6 to last season's 9-4. The key question: Can Northwestern keep him?

9. Danny Hope, Purdue
No one will outhustle Hope, who is one of the most positive and enthusiastic people you'll meet. Those traits help make him one of America's most underrated recruiters. Hope was 35-22 in six seasons as coach at Eastern Kentucky. Watch his star rise.

10. Tim Brewster, Minnesota
Brewster has been a 1,000-watt charge of energy for a program that was growing stale. And from all indications, Brewster's recruiting hustle has improved the talent base. The christening of a new stadium will further buoy his cause. Brewster's Gophers teams have featured strong offenses, but it will be his ability to craft a decent defense that will determine his fortunes in the Twin Cities.

11. Bill Lynch, Indiana
He has one of the most extensive résumés in the Big Ten, having also been head coach at Ball State and DePauw. The problem? Lynch hasn't had much success, save for an 8-2 mark in 2004 at DePauw. Lynch went 37-53 at Ball State (1995-2002) and is 10-15 in two seasons in Bloomington. He failed to build on the momentum of a bowl trip following the 2007 season, going 3-9 last season. And things could be tough this fall, too.

Neal trying healthy approach

2009-04-06T13:02:00.002-04:00

By Christopher L. Gasper

April 3, 2009

FOXBOROUGH - Stephen Neal started his career as the longest of long shots and now he finds himself as one of the longest-tenured Patriots.

A two-time NCAA Division 1 wrestling champion at Cal State-Bakersfield, Neal didn't play a down of college football, and joined the Patriots as a project in 2001. The team cut him coming out of training camp that year and he was on the Eagles' practice squad before the Patriots plucked him back in December of that season.

He has been a Patriot ever since.

The 32-year-old right guard is one of just six remaining Patriots to have been with the team for all three Super Bowl titles. The others are Tom Brady, Matt Light, Kevin Faulk, Tedy Bruschi, and Richard Seymour.

The self-effacing Neal was quick to point out that he was an inactive in 2001, the team's first Super Bowl title season, and on injured reserve following shoulder surgery in 2003, when it captured its second Lombardi Trophy, but he remains one of the great finds of the Bill Belichick era.

Shoulder injuries cost Neal three games in 2006 and eight games in 2007. Then he suffered a knee injury in Super Bowl XLII that caused him to open the 2008 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He sat out the first five games of last season.

Neal's goal this season is to play in every game, something he hasn't done since 2005. He already has a leg up from last year in the offseason conditioning program, as instead of rehabbing the knee he's working out with his offensive linemates.

"It's definitely a goal to try not to get injured, but you can't really control what happens," said Neal. "You just go out there and get your body in the best shape possible and improve from last year."

The Patriots, who rushed for 2,278 yards last season, the sixth-highest total in team history, were a better team on the ground with Neal available. In the 11 games (nine starts) Neal played in last year, the Patriots averaged 156.4 yards per game on the ground. In the five he missed, they averaged 111.6 yards rushing.

Maybe that's why the Patriots seem to be amenable to carrying his scheduled $3.4 million cap charge for 2009, the final year of Neal's contract.

Neal was not interested in looking at what his football future might hold, although he left the door open to the idea that this might be his final season if he continued to grapple with injuries.

"I guess football is day to day as you know, and [I] just take everything one day at a time and try to improve every day in this offseason and then when the season comes just see how my body can hold up," said Neal, who is entering his eighth season. "[Then] at the end of this season see where I'm at then and decide if I'm going to keep going or what the options are. Everything is pretty much day to day."

Neal's career has become something of an inspiration to other football players with wrestling backgrounds.

Neal said his role model was former Steelers offensive lineman Carlton Haselrig, a six-time NCAA wrestling champion at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown who never played college football but earned a Pro Bowl berth in 1992.

Neal said anyone looking to him as inspiration is allowing him to carry on Haselrig's legacy, which Neal said was "a pretty cool thing."

Tom O'Brien one of top three head football coaches in ACC

2009-04-02T11:41:00.005-04:00

March 24, 2009

By Tom Dienhart

Seven of the 12 ACC coaches have been at their current jobs two years or less, and the heavy turnover in recent seasons has hurt the conference. That general instability has contributed to the league not being a factor in the BCS title chase of late. What's more, the league will undergo even more turnover in the next few years, with coaches-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher (Florida State) and James Franklin (Maryland) taking over at their respective schools.

But the ACC still boasts some of the nation's best coaches, headed by Wake Forest's Jim Grobe, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer, North Carolina State's Tom O'Brien, Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson and North Carolina's Butch Davis.

Here's how they stack up:

1. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest
Let's just go ahead and say, it because it's true -- Grobe is great. Somehow, some way, he has made Demon Deacons football relevant on a national level. In eight seasons in Winston-Salem, Grobe has gone 54-44 -- he's 28-12 the past three seasons -- with four bowl appearances, including three in a row. His run to the ACC title and Orange Bowl in the 2006 season stands as one of the greatest coaching feats in the past 25 years. It's no wonder schools such as Arkansas, Nebraska and Alabama (among others) have made runs at Grobe.

2. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
Beamer is an icon. He's led the program to elite status and is enjoying sustained success. He did it all by giving the program a personality and persona known as "Beamerball," which emphasizes the running game, defense and special teams. It's difficult to believe Beamer was in danger of losing his job entering the 1993 season, having posted a middling 24-40-2 record his first six seasons in Blacksburg. Since then, Tech hasn't missed the postseason, has won six league titles and played for the national title after the 1999 season. He is 176-89-2 in 22 years in Blacksburg.

3. Tom O'Brien, N.C. State
There are few better coaches in the nation than the perpetually underrated O'Brien, who thrives on running a smart, disciplined program. He was 75-45 at Boston College from 1997-2006. Unappreciated in Chestnut Hill, O'Brien is starting to turn around the Wolfpack, going 11-14 in his first two years. He was at his best last fall, when he rallied the Wolfpack from a 2-6 start to four consecutive victories and a bowl trip. Expect a breakout this fall.

4. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech
We all owe Johnson a "thank you" for injecting a mega-dose of fun into college football with his triple-option offense. It turns out what is old is new again -- and effective. Johnson led the Yellow Jackets to a 9-4 record and Peach Bowl appearance in his first season on the Flats. The questions: How soon before other schools copy Johnson's offense? And when will he deliver his first ACC crown?

5. Butch Davis, North Carolina
Every ACC team's worst nightmare looks like it's about to come to fruition: The Tar Heels are rising -- fast. Thank Davis, who started paying immediate dividends as a recruiter. Now, Davis is working with a loaded roster that is gaining experience. UNC went 4-8 in Davis' first season and 8-4 in 2008. The next stop: an ACC title. Davis is an excellent motivator and leader who has built a good staff led by offensive coordinator John Shoop.

6. Bobby Bowden, Florida State
Saint Bobby's glorious run in Tallahassee should be ending in a blaze of glory. Instead, Bowden finds himself fighting to be relevant in what most consider a mediocre conference. Bowden trusted the wrong people at the wrong time, which is why FSU is still digging itself out of this morass. And it's also why Bowden likely won't catch Joe Paterno as major-college football's career wins king. But Bowden deserves plaudits for acquiescing to a succession plan.

7. Al Groh, Virginia
One of the most successful descendants of Bill Parcells' coaching tree, Groh has made the Cavaliers a consistently successful program during his eight-year run in Charlottesville. But Groh has been unable to get the Cavs over the top and deliver an ACC championship in eight years on the job and finds himself on the hot seat.

8. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland
Retirement is drawing near for "The Fridge," who has three years left on his contract. Until then, Friedgen is looking to cap his career in College Park with a flourish. He has been unable to recapture the magic of his Maryland debut in 2001, when he led the Terps to the ACC title and an Orange Bowl berth. Back-to-back second-place finishes followed. Since then, the program has been mired in mediocrity. No doubt, a fresh approach may be just what is needed.

9. David Cutcliffe, Duke
Yes, his Durham debut produced just a 4-8 mark (1-7 in the ACC), but there were tangible signs of progress for Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe is an offensive mastermind who proved he could coach during a successful six-year run at Ole Miss that produced a 44-29 record (25-23 in the SEC) and four bowls. The true measure of success will be if he also can build a good defense.

10. Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Swinney auditioned for the job last fall when he took over for Tommy Bowden with seven games remaining. Swinney guided the Tigers to a 4-3 record and a berth in the Gator Bowl, which was enough to get him the full-time gig. Swinney went on to sign a strong collection of recruits while also overhauling the staff.

11. Randy Shannon, Miami
The jury is out on Shannon, who is still learning on the job. Shannon faces pressure as he enters his third season in Coral Gables, and he'll do so with new coordinators on both sides of the ball. The good news: Shannon has recruited as well as anyone in the ACC the past few years. He's the ultimate player's coach who has restored discipline and honor.

12. Frank Spaziani, Boston College
If you're scoring at home, this is three coaches in four seasons for BC. Following the Jeff Jagodzinski fiasco, look for Spaziani to remain in Chestnut Hill as long as the Eagles want him. He's a BC guy, having been on the staff since 1997. Spaziani has never been a head coach before, but the longtime defensive coordinator learned under one of the best in O'Brien. It still remains to be seen how Spaziani will perform on Saturdays.

SI's NFL Team Draft Choices

2009-04-01T09:36:00.002-04:00

From Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarerback," March 30, 2009

Team (Top-100 picks) Overall choices.

1. New England (6) 23, 34, 47, 58, 89, 97.
Strategy: Look for the Pats to trade one of their three second-rounders -- and, if need be, a later pick -- for some team's 2010 first-rounder.

2. New York Giants (5) 29, 45, 60, 91, 100.
Strategy: Unless they can deal for either Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, the Jints will use one of the first three picks on a receiver.

3. Miami (4) 25, 44, 56, 87.
Strategy: Bill Parcells went to see North Carolina wideout Hakeem Nicks the other day, underscoring how desperate they are to get a Ted Ginn bookend.

4. Minnesota (3) 22, 54, 86.
Strategy: The right side of the offensive line is a concern, as is receiver and youth on the defensive line.

5. Atlanta (3) 24, 55, 90.
Strategy: His freshman draft shows GM Thomas Dimitroff will make a trade to chase a player he really wants. If only Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo were gettable.

6. Baltimore (3) 26, 57, 88
Strategy: Corner, receiver. Receiver, corner. Ozzie Newsome's getting the best of both available at some time in the first three rounds.

7. Indianapolis (3) 27, 61, 92
Strategy: Colts always go by the book and take the best player at need positions. There's a slot receiver with Bill Polian's name on him: Ohio State's Brian Hartline.

8. Tennessee (3) 30, 62, 94
Strategy: If the Titans don't get Torry Holt in bargain-basement free-agency, they'll join the club of good teams yearning for a receiver in the first or second round.

9. Pittsburgh (3) 32, 64, 96
Strategy:Bryant McFadden took his physical cover skills to Arizona, and the Steelers will want a cover guy with the first or second pick.

10. Carolina (2) 59, 93
Strategy:Jeff Otah is this year's first-rounder; that's how the Panthers have to look at their '09 draft. Don't be surprised if the Patriots and Panthers deal.

Iowa's Ferentz earns honor from Connecticut

2009-03-31T16:53:00.002-04:00

March 30, 2009

University of Iowa Sports Infomation

University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz has been selected to receive the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut.

Ferentz received a B.A. in English Education from the Neag School in 1978. He is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to the University of Iowa. He took the Hawkeyes to six straight bowl games, the second longest streak in school history. He is a two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and led his team to two Big Ten titles in four years.

Ferentz began his career as a student assistant at the University of Connecticut in 1977 where he was a football captain and an academic all-Yankee Conference linebacker.

He continued his career at Worcester Academy, the University of Pittsburgh and Iowa (1981-89). In 1990 he was named head coach of the Maine Bears. He was named Iowa’s 25th head coach in 1998.

His 2002 team was the most decorated in Iowa history, leading to Ferentz being named the AP and Walter Camp Football Foundation’s Coach of the Year in college football. His home games have sold out for the last five years (36 of 37 games) with an average attendance of 70,585 fans.

Stephen Neal Rules

2009-03-30T16:24:00.003-04:00

From Jon Wertheim's Sports Illustrated article "Rattling the Cage", March 24, 2009

…Lesnar-Mir could well be the most profitable fight in mixed-martial-arts history, generating more than a million pay-per-view buys. True to himself, however, Lesnar is preparing for the event at his Alexandria training gym, a converted warehouse with no official name, much less a sign out front. The interior is occupied mostly by free weights, treadmills and a wrestling room. Sparring partners drive back and forth from Fargo, about 90 miles away, and the Twin Cities, about 110 miles distant. When the weather is bad, which is often, Lesnar provides them accommodations near the home he shares with his wife, Rena.

UFC image-making types have gently floated the idea that Lesnar relocate to somewhere a bit more accessible, but in this, as in his fights, the 6' 3", 265-pound Lesnar can't be pushed around. "Up here people let you lead your life," he says. "Even if you're the Britney Spears of Alexandria, it means you might have to sign one autograph on your way to go ice fishing."

Lesnar grew up two hours away in Webster, S.D., on a struggling family dairy farm. He was put to work early; he proudly notes that by age five he'd suffered two hernias lifting bales of hay. With his spiky blond hair and penchant for mischief, he reminded some people of Bart Simpson, but with a more active pituitary gland: When he graduated from high school in 1996 he could deadlift 600 pounds. That's a lot of hay.

Blessed with an alloy of strength, quickness and agility, Lesnar wrestled at Minnesota and won the 2000 NCAA heavyweight title in his senior year. (As a junior he lost in the final to Stephen Neal, now a New England Patriots lineman.) He was on only a partial scholarship, though, and he says that by the time he left, he owed $40,000 in student loans -- no small sum for the son of farmers living under constant threat of foreclosure. When World Wrestling Entertainment offered him a six-figure guarantee in a multiyear promotional contract, the decision was no decision at all. "I didn't have this in my pocket," he says, opening an empty hand. "I got into the business for business reasons. Make your money and get out."

Hartline impressive at NFL Combine, OSU Pro Day

2009-03-16T13:49:00.007-04:00

From Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback, "Ten Things I Think I Think," March 16, 2009:

I think, after the Ohio State Pro Day Friday, I've got one name for you to remember for the end of round two or the guts of round three: Brian Hartline. Receiver. Played in the shadow of Ted Ginn Jr., then Brian Robiskie, in Columbus. Caught just 21 balls last fall while Ohio State struggled adjusting to Terrelle Pryor running the offense.

Hartline had a great combine, can play the slot and outside, and impressed with his hands and route-running on Friday; his 4.50 40- time is OK, but not special. (Teammate Robiskie ran a 4.47.) Two months ago, Hartline was a fifth-round pick. Now he just might go in the top 64.