From Scott -
Jay, hope this is not too late for your mailbag. I am a big USC fan (the real USC) and Sark has to go.
I know UT fans around here are upset with Butch Jones, but Sark is a joke.
I have two questions: Who is the coach on the hottest seat? And considering the dumpster fire that Kiffin left us and left at UT will he ever get another head coaching job?
Thanks, and I love you guys on Press Row. I really appreciate when you guys talk about college football outside the SEC.
FILE - In this July 31, 2015, file photo, Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian speaks to reporters during NCAA college Pac-12 Football media days in Burbank, Calif. Sarkisian apologized Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, for his behavior and inappropriate language at a team event Saturday. Sarkisian issued a written apology on the school’s official website the morning after the Salute to Troy, a reception held before each season for the football team, alumni and athletic program donors, after several people who attended the event said on social media that the second-year Trojans coach appeared to be drunk while using profane language in praising his team. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) Scott -
Wow, that was an awful loss that was for USC and coach Steve Sarkisian. From the drunk tirade at the booster event to losing to his former team, it's been an awful six weeks for Sarkisian.
Before we get to your questions, can we pause to tip the visor to Chris Petersen, the former Boise State coach who took an under-talented Washington team into the Coliseum and beat Sark's Trojans. It's back-to-back home losses for USC, and there were plenty of good sections available last night.
OK, Steve, we understand your frustration, but you have to remember that this is only year 2 for Sark. Firing a guy before he completes his second year sends an awful message to anyone you may want to hire. Yes, USC and Texas and wrestling with that decision, and those are two of college football's blue-chip brands, but that really ups the timetable.
Staff Photo by Dan Henry
The University of Richmond's coach Mike London gets doused with water by his team in the final moments of the game Wednesday evening.As for the hotseat list, we'll go:
1. Mike London, Virginia
2. Paul Rhoades, Iowa State
3. Kyle Flood, Rutgers
4. Al Golden, Miami
5. Mike McIntyre, Colorado
As for tour guy, well, it's just year two, and unless the drinking thing is a bigger deal within the program than we know, Sark is safe. Here's a list of guys in year 2 or less that are starting to feel the heat:
Tennessee football coach Butch Jones and Vanderbilt counterpart Derek Mason meet at midfield following last year's game in Nashville, which the Volunteers won 24-17. Mason called the defensive plays in that game and will do so again this season.1. Derek Mason, Vandy
2. Charlie Strong, Texas
3. Mike Riley, Nebraska
4. Steve Sarkisian, USC
As for the Lane Kiffin debate, we think someone will give him another chance. Dude has a lot of offensive skills - and a lot of skills that are offensive to people - and can really recruit. Those two traits - being a QB whisperer and a recruiting ace count for way more than being a good dude when looking for a head coach.
Fight on.
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From Michael -
Jay again always enjoy reading 5-at-10.
Just wondering exactly what happens to a player when they are kicked off a team? Are they set out on the street immediately? Moved to another dorm for a set time? Not feeling sorry for him as you have to make right choices on your third or forth try anyway but have always wondered how fast they are homeless. Just how severe is it for a player to continue to fail tests you don't have to study for? -- Thanks!
UT's Pig Howard carries as Western Carolina's Fred Payne approaches Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.Michael -
College scholarships are renewed yearly, so Pig Howard can stay through the end of his current signed deal. I believe that includes room and board.
We'll double check that to make sure (we have some calls already out there) but that's the way we believe it.
It's also part of the debate about programs giving players full four-year scholarships.
The outcomes and consequences for blowing this kind of opportunity are quite severe, especially when you think about how many chances they get.
Thanks for the question.
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From McPell
So now that Duke Williams & Pig Howard have been dismissed from their teams, where will they fall in the draft next spring? Typical head case territory, 7th round or UFA?
McPell -
Off-the-field issues affect different players accordingly in the eyes of the NFL.
But, no matter the issues, if you can test off the charts - and we believe Duke Williams will; Howard we're not so sure - you will get a chance.
In fact, here's a little theory that applies to both of those cats in their current situations.
FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, file photo, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn reacts in the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La. The Tigers have plenty of issues to overcome if they're going to turn this season around, extending well beyond quarterback Jeremy Johnson's struggles. They've gone from No. 6 to unranked in two weeks. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) Each coach - Auburn's Gus Malzahn and UT's Butch Jones - entered the season with high hopes. Williams and Howard were the most-productive perimeter weapons with far and away the greatest potential to make big plays.
With that talent comes more leniency, and that's true in every sport and at every program.
But when the reality of underachievement set in on the Tigers and the Vols,rightly or wrongly the decision becomes much easier to cut times with some guys who are consistently a distraction.
As for the draft, we think Duke - who had a first-round grade before the season from Mel Kiper Jr. - will fall to round three or four, and that could change greatly in either direction with the combine numbers. At 6-3, 225, if Duke clocks a 4.45, well, there's a much higher demand for that than there is for 6-1, 180, 4.7 who are really good dudes in the locker room.
Howard will be a late-round or UFA guy.
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From Stewwie
Jay, let me preface my two-part question for the bag by saying that breast cancer awareness is a good thing along with any and all fundraising efforts that go toward prevention and research. That said, do you think the NFL's month-long show of pinkness throughout October reflects a genuine interest in the cause, or do you think they do it more to just court more women fans? Secondly, is devoting an entire month to pinkness on the field necessary or should the NFL scale back all of the pinkness to a max of just one week of games?
Stewwie -
Very interesting debate, and we'll put nothing past the hypocritical and duplicitous NFL.
Roger Goodell has had record-setting success leading the business of the NFL, but dude had damaged the image of the shield more than anyone maybe since O.J.
Of course, raising money and awareness for breast cancer is a good thing. No one is denying or debating that.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference at the conclusion of the league's fall meetings Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in New York. Goodell said that he expects NFL owners will vote on franchise relocation to Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) But as with all things the NFL does - and here's a link to the article Stewwie added in his question - they do it on their own terms. None of the money goes directly to breast cancer according to that report, rather it goes to the American Cancer Association (still a nice gesture) and it's used for breast screenings. It's an issue with the breast cancer folks and they have a legit point.
I think it is a) as you said, an attempt to access women fans, something that is especially important after they botched every turn of the domestic issues of the last 18 months; and b) a chance to move more merchandise.
I also think the classic Goodell "head-in-the-sand" approach of picking one issue over all others is so predictable.
Heck forget head injuries, which should be the NFL's rallying issue and will get even more hand-wringing and discussion come December when the "Concussion" movie comes out.
Still, with the size of the players and seriousness of the issue, why is there not an obesity Sunday? Or a heart disease Sunday? Or a drinking and driving Sunday?
Oh, that's right, those issues are counterintuitive to a lot of the messages from NFL sponsors, be it Pizza Hut or Bud Light or brats and tailgating or fill in the blank.
Now, the NFL is hardly alone in this corporate hypocrisy, but because they get so much attention, some that attention will be negative. That's how the ball bounces.
Great question as always.
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From Jomo
JG- for the mailbox, Assuming the UTK Vols lose to Georgia and Bama, as expected and no matter how close the loss, they will be at 2-5 with a loss of considerable confidence and a feeling of a season wasted. My question, how motivated will the Vol players be to get that 6th win and have to practice for 3 more weeks ( which is NOT fun ) and go to the Ronco-Cordless Electric All-American Birmingham Bowl ? or would the players rather get this season over with and erased from their memory ?
In this cover image released by Time Inc. on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, model Kate Upton graces the cover of the "Sports Illustrated 2012 Swimsuit Issue." The double issue is now on sale at newsstands, tablet, mobile and on SI.com/Swimsuit. (AP Photo/Walter Iooss Jr. for Sports Illustrated)Jomo -
Whether you are playing coach-pitch baseball at 7 or on Saturdays in the SEC, you always want to win.
Always.
The thought of making the postseason is always viewed as a reward - and there are perks that come with any bowl trip - and while practice may not be a day at the beach with Kate Upton, postseason bowl practices are not exactly August two-a-days.
That said, there certainly can be frustration and some loss of work ethic in preparation when things unravel.
Maybe the weight room is not as full. Maybe against a Missouri or a South Carolina, when the opponent scores early, it becomes tougher.
The answer to your question is no, but there's a real chance for frustration within the locker room than turns into an apathy that would really hurt the image and perception of the coaching staff.
With that said, how the Vols respond Saturday against Georgia will speak volumes in our mind about how much this team wants to fight for Butch Jones. The fans reaction could also be very telling.