SEC West Headlines – 1/12/10

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1.  Alabama inside linebackers coach James Willis is rumored to be the top candidate for the defensive coordinator job on Texas Tech’s new staff.  Willis coached under Tommy Tuberville at Auburn from 2006 through 2008.

2.  Dont’a Hightower says he’s ahead of schedule in recovering from his knee injury, but he still isn’t expected to take part in contact drills this spring.

3.  A source close to the situation says Kirby Smart was truly torn between UA and Georgia… and his final decision came down to career issues, not monetary issues.

4.  Rolando McClain announced yesterday that he’s heading to the NFL, but he’s doing so only after accomplishing three career goals.

5.  Alabama’s national title has made the whole state a little friendlier, a little brighter.  So writes the always friendly and bright Paul Finebaum of The Mobile Press-Register.

6.  Bama will hold a national championship celebration Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

7. You can expect the Tide to be the preseason #1 next year.

8.  Yeah, but can the Tide repeat in the SEC?

9.  It was a thin group this year, but next year Auburn’s offensive line figures to be a strength.

10.  Here’s an early look at Auburn’s quarterback situation for 2010. 

11.  Thursday’s trip to Tennessee isn’t looking quite so easy for Jeff Lebo and company.

12.  Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett was named “The National Performer of the Year,” an award based upon “objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.”  Alright.

13.  Rotnei Clarke says the UA basketball squad is a “different team” with Courtney Fortson back on the floor.

14.  John Pelphrey hopes his team can win its first road game in more than a year when it travels to Starkville on Thursday.

15.  Arkansas has a lot of Thursday-Saturday turnarounds this season.

16.  Safety Chad Jones says his NFL opportunities are “impossible for me to pass.”

17.  Jones’ departure opens the door for Craig Loston who signed with the Tigers last year.

18.  Les Miles expected his 2009 offensive line to be special.  It wasn’t.  And now those O-lineman will have to work to make progress in 2010.

19.  The LSU basketball team needs more improvement from freshman forward Dennis Harris.

20.  When it comes to finding a new defensive coordinator, this writer throws out the names Willie Martinez and Paul Pasqualoni to go with that of Manny Diaz… who supposedly spoke with Dan Mullen yesterday.

21.  If Mullen is going to promote from within, his options are Tony Hughes and Melvin Smith.

22.  MSU point guard Dee Bost is trying to respond to Rick Stansbury’s tough criticisms.

23.  State doesn’t play a whole lot of zone defense and guard Barry Stewart knows why.  “We’re not that great in zone.”

24.  UM’s Andy Kennedy called Jarvis Varnado “one of the most underrated players in all of college basketball.”

25.  Renardo Sidney’s attorney hopes progress is being made in the NCAA’s inquiry into Sidney’s amateur status.

26.  But according to some who’ve seen the NCAA’s findings, there might not be a quick resolution in the offing.

27.  Mississippi’s new basketball practice facility is getting good reviews.

28.  The Rebels’ Trevor Gaskins is still trying to find his shot.