Nick Saban inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night
More than 3,500 people have signed an online petition supporting suspended Georgia player Kolton Houston…
The offensive lineman has been banned since testing positive for the steroid Nandrolone as a freshman
Vanderbilt coach James Franklin received more than $1.8 million in compensation in 2011
Quarterback Wes Lunt is leaving Oklahoma State but the school won’t let him transfer to Tennessee or Vanderbilt
Early week 1 college footbal spreads are out…Georgia 1-point underdog to Clemson, Alabama 14-point favorite against Virginia Tech
Tennessee basketball player Yemi Makanjuola reportedly transferring to UNC-Wilmington
Vanderbilt forward Sheldon Jeter has decided to transfer
Follow SEC news year-round at MrSEC.com and on Twitter at Twitter.com/mrsec

SEC Football

1. Former Tennessee defensive end and coach Chuck Smith has been working with Auburn linemen in order to help revive the Tigers pass rush.

2. The biggest surprise on Auburn’s post-spring depth chart? Slot receiver.

3. Biggest question at Arkansas this fall?  Backup quarterback.

4. Nick Saban on being inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame: “In the future, I’m going to be more committed in order to justify the honor you’ve given to me tonight.”

5. Clemson AD Dan Radakovich on what he learned from Saban at LSU.  ”With all the distractions around him, Nick stays focused on the things that are important for him and his program.”

6. Young LSU fans get to camp out at Tiger Stadium.

7. The SEC and the NFL draft – uptick can be explained by Alabama and LSU. “They have been pipelining athletes to the NFL far beyond what they’ve ever been able to do previously.”

8. South Carolina an 8.5 point favorite in the opener against North Carolina, Mississippi State a 6.5 point underdog vs Oklahoma State. Spreads for Week 1 are out.

SEC/College News

9. In Michael Adams’  16 years as president of the university, athletic department revenues at Georgia have climbed from $25.7 million to $92.1 milion. Barbara Dooley still upset how her husband was treated: “In my opinion, he has never said anything positive about Vince Dooley’s ability as the athletic director…I take personal offense to that.”

10. Mike Bianchi on linebacker Matthew Thomas who wants out of his commitment to Florida State and reportedly transfer to Georgia or Southern Cal.   “What sort of life lesson is Thomas learning if his first exposure to the adult world is the message that it’s OK to break promises and walk out on commitments?”

SEC Basketball

11. Alabama reportedly agreeing to a series with UCLA.

12. When Andrew Wiggins announced he was going to Kansas, fans started melting down on Twitter.  ”In 140 characters or less, they hoped he’d tear ACLs, be consumed by fire or die in a plane crash.”

Extras

13. O.J. Simpson planning a college speaking tour after he gets out of prison.

14. Questions surrounding Seton Hall’s softball coach -”Is this a coach out of control or overly sensitive players and parents?”

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin opposes potential move to nine-game schedule..
…”If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Tennessee A.D. Dave Hart on coach Butch Jones:  ”I think he’s off to a very, very good start in terms of galvanizing our fan base.”
Alabama coach Nick Saban on preparing for Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel: ”I think that’s an ongoing process around here.”
Saban has recruited or coached 111 NFL players, 33 of them at Alabama
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany on the status of expansion: “Dead is a strong word”
Thanks to U.S. Open tennis shifting to ESPN, possible to see more early SEC games on CBS starting in 2015
Follow SEC news year-round at MrSEC.com and on Twitter at Twitter.com/mrsec

1. Columbia, South Carolina defensive end Christian Miller has decommitted from Florida.  ”After a lot of hard thinking and discussions with my parents, I have respectfully decided to open my recruitment back up,” he posted on his Facebook page. He had previously mentioned Alabama, Florida State and Georgia as schools pursing him.  Florida now has eight commitments in its 2014 class.

2. Bossier City, Louisiana quarterback Robert Harris has a top seven - LSU, Alabama, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Auburn, Ole Miss and Baylor. He unveiled his list last night at his spring game.   LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and area recruiter and tight ends coach Steve Ensminger were on hand to watch him to perform. Harris says he’ll make a decision on July 18.

3. Opelika, Alabama tight end Jakell Mitchell has picked an offer from the Crimson Tide. He has also offers from  Auburn, LSU, Florida, Florida State, among others. Mitchel’s teammate, Stephen Roberts, committed to Alabama in April.

4. Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked about recruiting in Georgia Thursday night.  ”It’s (Atlanta) the city in the South, and it’s three hours from Tuscaloosa. It’s important for us to do a good job here. There’s a lot of great (high school) programs and a lot of good players, so we’ve had a lot of good players from here. I think there’s five starters on our team from this area.”

5. Georgia has a rooting interest in the fate of five-star linebacking prospect Matthew Thomas.  He signed with Florida State in February but now says he wants to play at either Georgia or Southern Cal.

6. Florence, Alabama quarterback Kendrick Doss has offers from Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.  Considered a duel threat quarterback, here’s how Doss’s high school coach described him:  ”Kendrick’s the type kid, like Cam Newton and a lot of other guys, that can develop into a pro-style quarterback. He’s big enough to stand in the pocket. He’s tall enough to see over offensive lines. I think this kid could very easily adapt to a pro-style offense.”

7. District of Columbia metro area linebacker/safety Kobie Walker committed to Kentucky earlier this week.  He’s hoping to open a regional pipeline to the Bluegrass state.  “You don’t see a lot of players come from the DMV and go to Kentucky, so hopefully this will start a new trend.  Walker had narrowed his list to Kentucky, Miami and West Virginia before choosing UK.

SEC Football

1. Vanderbilt coach James Franklin makes it clear he’s no fan of going to a 9-game SEC schedule: “If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it…Who’s going to play Oregon or Ohio State out of conference now?”

2. Tennessee A.D. Dave Hart on coach Butch Jones: “He’s passionate, he’s genuine and I think he’s off to a very, very good start in terms of galvanizing our fan base.”

3. Can Kentucky’s 2013 offense compare to the 1997 Air Raid offense of Hal Mumme?

4. Incoming Ole Miss freshman Robert Nkemdiche: “It is nearly inconceivable that an 18-year-old can have the build of a rookie in the NFL, but Nkemdiche does.”

5. Johnny Manziel: “The best summer anyone’s ever had continues, and it’s not even summer yet.” More here on his day in San Diego including a personalized jersey with a Heisman Trophy Patch.

6. Nick Saban on preparing for Manziel: ”I think that’s an ongoing process around here.” Aggies with most offensive and defensive snaps in the SEC.

7. 2014 draft-eligible SEC cornerbacks to keep your on this fall. Past five NFL drafts – SEC with 229 picks – Big 12 with 136.

8. Auburn right tackle Avery Young on playing in a hurry-up, no-huddle offense.  ”I’ve seen how it goes when playing against a team that’s not used to it.”

9. Gus Malzhan “has had seven different starting quarterbacks in seven years at the college level.”

10. Thanks to U.S. Open tennis shifting to ESPN, we could see more early SEC games on CBS starting in 2015.

Perspective on Nick Saban’s Week

11. 111 NFL players coached or recruited by Nick Saban - 33 of them at Alabama.

12. Robbie Andreu on Tim Davis’ comments regarding Saban: “Those being critical of his “devil” quote need to relax and understand that he was only kidding.”

13. Duane Rankin: “Davis’ comments are going to serve as motivation for Alabama, too.”

14. David Climer: (Saban) “gave him a job at two different levels of football. How about a little appreciation here?

15. MrSEC: “One man’s dream boss can be another man’s nightmare.”

NCAA News

16. ACC coaches want the coaches’ poll to be part of playoff criteria.

17. ACC TV Network? “ACC is able to proudly proclaim it has the most population (107 million) and most TV households (38 million) within its 10-state footprint of any conference.”

18. USC A.D. Pat Haden made $2.2 million in 2011 - second among athletic directors only to Vanderbilt’s David Williams (who held multiple titles that year). USC coach Lane Kiffin made $2.6 million that year - father Monte made $1.8 million.

19. Matt Hayes on Pat Fitzgerald’s Big Ten team:  ”Northwestern was the only Big Ten team to beat the mighty SEC in a bowl game, the program’s first bowl victory since 1949.”

20. Georgia Tech and the strangest recruiting Photoshops of them all.

SEC  Basketball

21. Is 45-year old Coleman Coliseum a long-term venue for Alabama?  A.D. Bill Battle: ”Right now, I think the answer’s yes… if we outgrow Coleman, we’ll address that when that time comes, but we’ve got a ways to go before we get there.”

22. Auburn’s Tony Barbee may have the hottest seat of any coach in college basketball this year.

23. Kevin Stallings may add an assistant at Vanderbilt.

24. Why the next six weeks may determine if former Missouri guard Phil Pressey will have an NBA career.

Extras

25. Former Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner fires his agent for not being drafted in the top five.

Asked about former assistant — and current Florida offensive line coach — Tim Davis referring to him as “the devil himself,” Alabama’s Nick Saban said last night that he was disappointed in his old employee’s choice of words:

“It really is a little terribly disappointing…

I try to do right by the people that work for me.  It’s a tough demanding job.  And at the same time, if anybody had an issue or problem with me, I would want them to just tell me…

Twice.  On two occasions.  It’s just disappointing.  If somebody has a problem with me, I’d appreciate it if they’d tell me.  If I’m doing something to offend somebody, I’d certainly like to do whatever I have to do to fix it.  It’s not our intention.  It’s not what we try to do.

We’re in a tough business.  It’s very competitive.  Sometimes you’ve got to demand that people do things that maybe they don’t want to do, but it’s not personal…

I know it’s not representative of Will Muschamp and the University of Florida and the way they do things.  I know that because I’m close enough to Will to know that.”

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard someone say something is a “little terribly” anything, but the coach’s meaning is clear.  And the “twice” remark was a reference to the fact that Vanderbilt coach James Franklin called Saban “Nicky Satan” at a high school’s awards banquet back in January.  Franklin later apologized and said he was joking, though Saban apparently hasn’t forgotten the matter.

Alabama’s coach has a reputation for a being both a tough boss and a cold fish.  Even Muschamp’s parents have talked about how their son “got crosswise” with “that son of a bitch” while serving on Saban’s staff in the NFL.

At the same time, Kirby Smart and others have stayed in Saban’s employ and enjoyed great success as a result.  If Smart is hating life on Alabama’s staff he’s doing a good job of hiding it.  Jobs come open each December, yet he has stayed put in Tuscaloosa, as have many others.

Obviously, one man’s dream boss can be another man’s nightmare.

In this case, Davis should have kept his nightmare to himself.  A public figure calling another public figure the devil or Satan — even if it’s in jest — is going to draw a national spotlight.  That spotlight is now shining brightly on Davis, Muschamp and the Florida football program.

At some point — probably today — Davis will likely cough up the obligatory apology (which most people will immediately peg as being insincere).

And if he doesn’t apologize, the silence will be louder and more telling than even his initial “devil” comment.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson‘s recruitment has stayed the same since he committed to Clemson more than 15 months ago.

He continues to say he’s solid to the Tigers while more and more schools keep recruiting him.

The latest school is Alabama. The Crimson Tide offered Watson a scholarship last week, joining a list that includes Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State, Ohio State, Oregon and Southern California.

Watson, who’s ranked the nation’s No. 1 quarterback by Rivals.com, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he’s used to all the attention from other schools.

“I can’t tell them to stop coming by here,” he said. “They can still come by and check out another player on my team but still watch me. You know, I can’t ever tell a school not to recruit me because it’s an honor and a privilege for them to throw me a full ride offer and (tell) me to come play at the school and get a free education.”

Watson, who attends Gainesville (Ga.) High School, has entertained the idea of visiting other schools. He told ESPN RecruitingNation last month that he would take all five official visits this fall but has since softened on the idea. Instead, he told the AJC he has a list of “fallback schools” in case the status of his commitment to Clemson changes.

“For me, it would be Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, USC and Oregon,” Watson said.

Georgia is intriguing. The home-state school has shown strong interest in Watson, who’s the only quarterback in the 2014 class to receive a scholarship offer from the Bulldogs.

“They have let it be known that I am their guy for 2014 and the only quarterback they plan to go after,” Watson told ESPN. “Mike Bobo and Mark Richt said they want a local guy to take over their offense and lead them to a national championship.”

Georgia will be looking for a new starting quarterback in 2014 after senior Aaron Murray departs. Alabama will be as well with AJ McCarron entering his senior year in Tuscaloosa.

Auburn has a group of quarterbacks set to return in 2014 but no one has set himself apart from the others. That opportunity for early playing time, which Clemson can also offer as Tajh Boyd enters his final year in college, will be the sales pitch from several schools recruiting Watson.

He can expect to hear more from those schools between now and the day he finally steps on a college campus. As Gainesville coach Bruce Miller told the AJC, “every school” is interested in Watson. And he doesn’t seem bothered by the attention.

“That’s going to keep on happening,” Watson said.

Leslie eligible for LSU

Wide receiver Quantavius Leslie received good news this week when he learned he will be eligible to play at LSU this fall, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Read the rest of this entry »

Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari says his next team will be “chasing perfection,” something that hasn’t been done since Indiana went undefeated in 1976
ESPN analyst Mark May called Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis a “classless backstabbing coward” for calling Alabama coach Nick Saban “the devil himself”
Tennessee says it has reached a four-year deal to re-start the school’s basketball rivalry with Memphis…
Memphis officials say no deal is done yet and that future football games would be required
The Big Ten reportedly made $315 million during its last fiscal year, $42 million more than the SEC during its last fiscal year
Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson on his secondary: “We don’t want two corners, we want four corners.”
Former Wyoming punter Tim Gleeson says he will enroll at Tennessee
Follow all 14 SEC teams at MrSEC.com and twitter.com/mrsec

On Tuesday, Florida offensive line coach Tim Davis told a Gator booster club that head coach Will Muschamp was a lot like their old boss Nick Saban in terms of planning.  But that’s where the similarities ended according to Davis:

“Will coached under the devil himself for seven years.  I only did three.  He did seven.”

Asked about that comment on Wednesday, ESPN’s Mark May sacked Davis with this verbal bullrush:

“I don’t know Tim Davis, but my opinion, he’s a classless backstabbing coward.  You’re talking about a guy in Nick Saban that gave you an opportunity to coach.  He gave you an opportunity to move up in the coaching ranks, so you could support your family, put food on the table, clothes on their backs.  Not for one years.  He gave you the opportunity for three years on his staff (two with the Miami Dolphins, one with Alabama).

If you have a problem with Nick Saban, pick up the phone, put you big-boy pants on and man up and say, ‘Coach, I got a problem with you and here’s why.’  You don’t go out in front of some group of friendly fans out there and say that about Nick Saban, a guy that gave you an opportunity to be a coach.”

Fifteen yards, unnecessary roughness.

Look, it was dumb of Davis — kidding or not — to publicly refer to a fellow coach as “the devil himself.”  If for no other reason than the fact that he should know that in this day and age it would become a national story that he, the other coach (Saban) and his current boss (Muschamp) would all get caught up in.  Dumb thing to say.

But to blast him as a coward?  That might be a bit over the top.  For one thing, perhaps Davis has put on his big-boy pants and called Saban.  Perhaps Davis isn’t pleased with the way things ended in Tuscaloosa.  The coach served as Saban’s O-line coach in Miami in 2005 and 2006.  He remained with the Dolphins in 2007 and then joined the Alabama staff as Saban’s director of player personnel in 2008.  In 2009, he left for Minnesota where he became the Gophers’ run game coordinator and offensive line coach.

At the time, Saban said nice things (whether he meant them or not) to the press:

“This is a great opportunity for Tim in terms of his position as offensive line coach and running game coordinator.  We’ve had the chance to work together here at the University of Alabama as well as with the Miami Dolphins, and Tim has been a hard worker and done an excellent job with each and every responsibility he’s had.  I know Tim is looking forward to getting up there in a coaching capacity that puts him back on the field interacting with the players.  He’ll do a great job with Coach (Tim) Brewster and the Minnesota program.  We wish Tim and his family the best.”

When Davis left the feeling was that Joe Pendry was about to retire as Bama’s offensive line coach.  Instead he remained on the job through the 2010 season.  Jeff Stoutland then replaced Pendry and worked with the Tide linemen in 2011 and 2012.  This offseason, Mario Cristobal was hired to replace Stoutland, who left to join the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

Whether Davis and Saban had a falling out about the assistant’s role at Alabama — director of player personnel versus actual on-field coach — seems to be the big question.  And no one but those inside the program would know just how that situation was handled by both parties.

Either way, Davis goofed by making his comment publicly.  And May went way, way too far in his overreaction.

Watch it below…

SEC Football

1. Missouri now has nine commitments in its class of 2014 after Blue Valley West, Kansas offensive tackle Michael Fairchild and Nasvhille, TN cornerback  Finis Stribling verbally committed on Monday. Fairchild’s father played college ball at Kansas and professionally for the New England Patriots.  Stribling’s coach was impressed  by Missouri’s efforts at recruting in the Volunteer State. “I have noticed a more concerted recruiting effort inside the state lines. They’ve done probably the best of anybody in terms of getting information out and mailing it to kids.”

2. Alabama line coach Mario Cristobal is a big fan of big lineman.  California JUCO lineman Dominick Jackson is the latest in a string of offers to 300+ pound lineman.  He lists Alabama alongside UCLA as his two favorites.  ”I am a West Coast guy, but my dream has always been to play in the SEC.”

3. Auburn coach Gus Malzhan on the Tigers recruiting philosophy: ”It’s all going to start in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, but we’ll nationally recruit, and our guys are doing that.”

4. How is Auburn’s Dameyune Craig making an impact in the Mobile area? ”I don’t know what he does outside of football, but it can’t be much because he’s always recruiting.”

5. Auburn’s top five wide receiver recruiting targets for 2014.

6. 2013 LSU signee  Quantavius Leslie has reportedly gained his academic eligibility and will enroll in June, The JUCO wide receiver played at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss.

7. Former Penn State quarterback Steven Bench made an official visit to South Florida this week.  He’ll visit North Carolina State this weekend and Mississippi State next week.

SEC Basketball

8. No Andrew Wiggins for Kentucky, but the Cats recruiting class still considered the best in the country. 247 analyst Jerry Meyer: “It’s still kind of ridiculous, with six guys in the top 15,”

9. Memphis, Tennessee point guard Chris Chiozza is Florida’s first commitment in the class of 2014. ESPN recruiting analysti Dave Telep: “He’s a fearless player. Defensively, he’s a pest. He latches on to you. Offensively, he’s improved to where he’s a reliable scorer.” Chiozza chose Florida over Ohio State, Memphis, Ole Miss, Murray State and Butler.