Five at 10: Cam is in the clear

photo Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is eligible to play in the SEC title game even though the NCAA says his father broke rules by shopping his son to another school. The NCAA released its finding in a statement on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

The NCAA on Wednesday ruled Auburn quarterback Cam Newton eligible to play Saturday.

Sure we didn't know Newton was ineligible - a ruling Auburn issued Tuesday before asking the NCAA for his reinstatement.

There is a lot of of loose wording in the NCAA's ruling that could leave the door open for future findings. That said, unless the NCAA finds something more - and let's face it there have been a Payless shelf of shoes fall almost daily in this melodrama - Newton and Auburn appear to be in the clear. For now.

"Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs. "From a student-athlete reinstatement perspective, Auburn University met its obligation. ... Under this threshold, the student-athlete has not participated while ineligible."

Coaching carousel

Around college football, the job openings are starting to happen and the speculation is starting to follow.

Like most silly seasons with college jobs, the domino effect can not be undersold. Here is an early look at the spinning bottle and who will be theft kissing the beauty queen. And who will be left kissing the pig.

Stanford's Jim Harbaugh is the hottest name out there, and if the Michigan job comes open, the former Wolverines quarterback seems like a perfect fit.

The Miami job right now is the best of the market. Former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden has told ESPN he has zero interest. That leave Mississippi State's Dan Mullen on the shortlist of leading candidates.

Mullen's name is on a lot of short lists. As are the names Brady Hoke of San Diego State and Al Golden of Temple. Each of those guys have turned around programs in relatively quick work.

As for the Vandy job, the Tennessean reported earlier this week that a couple of big-time coordinators - Stanford's assistant head coach of offense Greg Roman and Virginia Tech's defensive guru Bud Foster are candidates, and that the search may look toward former Miami coach Randy Shannon.

Welcome home?

photo In this image from video, NBA free agent LeBron James speaks at the start of an interview on ESPN on where he plans to play basketball next year, Thursday, July 8, 2010, in Greenwich, Conn. (AP Photo/ESPN)

New broke Wednesday that Cleveland Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has hired investigators to see if the Miami Heat violated NBA tampering rules by luring LeBron James from the Cavs in the free agent process this summer.

In expectation for an emotional scene tonight when James returns to Cleveland, the Cavs have raised security and banned anti-LeBron material.

While that may be the case, the charged atmosphere will be something very surreal for a regular season basketball game between 11-8 Miami and 7-10 Cleveland.

The 5-at-10's leader in the clubhouse for the anti-LeBron slogans plays off his Nike ad campaign that was simply "Witness" as a reference to watching LeBron mature as a player. The Cavs version is simply "Quitness" and well there you go.

That said, James either goes for 40 with 15 boards and 12 assists or he shoots 1-for-15 with seven turnovers. This will be a very good litmus test on whether he's more Michael Jordan (the great competitor) or say an Alex English (the great stat-stuffer).

Wiedmer was right

Our TFP lead columnist Mark Wiedmer has his share of critics out there. But know this, the guy knows more college hoops than just about anybody around.

Seriously, he's been to every Final Four since Patrick Ewing was a superstar - at Georgetown. He has been at meaningful games as a writer and as a spectator for more than 40 years.

So when he told me last week that Duke was building a dynasty, I started to pay attention.

Turns out he's right. The defending NCAA champ Devils are better this year - their best player in last night's win over No. 6 Michigan State was freshman Kyrie Irving - and will likely be better still next winter when the nation's top-ranked high school player arrives in Durham.

Wow.

Life begins at 48

Yesterday the 5-at-10 told you about 48-year-old Evander Holyfield booking a boxing match next February. Today, we spread the news of Jamie Moyer.

Fresh off the presses at the AARP newsletter we learn that the 48-year-old Moyer had Tommy John surgery Wednesday and will be sidelined at least a year. For most pitchers a full decade younger that would be a career-ender. For Moyer, who said he is hoping to make a comeback, it may just be another hurdle in a career filled with them.

Moyer made his debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1986 - two years before they had lights at Wrigley Field. Want another amazing number: Last he he went a respectable 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA and for that he made (wait for it)... we're close... now $8 MILLION.

Good day.

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