Notre Dame fans just can’t take it anymore. I get it…but some people are taking their angry feelings too far. While out at a bar on Sunday morning, quarterback Jimmy Clausen was sucker punched by a fan who was apparently not happy with his performance this past weekend. Says athletic director Jack Swarbrick, “He was not engaged in a fight. He didn’t throw any punches. He didn’t directly engage the individual. He just got coldcocked by somebody, and we’re very disturbed by that.” Clausen was reportedly out with his family and girlfriend after the team’s double-overtime loss to Connecticut earlier that day. The whole group decided to leave after exchanging angry words with some of the other bar patrons.... [Read more]

Rich Rodriguez has been fighting an uphill battle since day one in Michigan. Last year, the administration was willing to give him a free pass, since it’s nearly impossible to turn a team around in a first year as head coach. A lot of players left, and fans were disgruntled. This year hasn’t been the best, but there’s progress…and that progress is apparently saving Rodriguez’s neck, as the school is reportedly bringing him back for another year in 2010. Says athletic director Bill Martin, He will be our coach next year. You’re asking me today if he’s going to be our coach, there’s no if, ands or buts about it. He is our coach and he has my full support. He’ll be there next year. No question... [Read more]

Mark Mangino isn’t known for being a nice guy. People may have put up with his rants in the past, but with new allegations from players who say that the Kansas coach was abusive during practices, some people are, of course, calling for his head on a platter. Says Mangino of the issue, “I run this program with a lot of integrity. I have been in this conference for nearly 20 years, and what I can tell you is that our coaching intensity is not largely different from the rest of the Big Eight and Big 12 teams I’ve observed.” Mangino was accused of poking linebacker Arist Wright in the chest at a recent practice. Former KU running back Jocque Crawford chimed in when he heard the accusations, saying that he transferred because of Mangino’s... [Read more]

Every year, Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) releases “report cards” where they judge college minority hiring practices. This year is no different than every other year in the fact that they were disappointed, overall. There were a few high points – both Miami (OH) and New Mexico State got straight As in the five graded categories. What were these categories? Communication between the BCA and the school Ratio of minorities interviewed for positions Length of search for candidates when positions open Percentage of minorities on search committees School’s adherence to affirmative action policies Ok, I may be unpopular for saying this, but I don’t think it’s right to make colleges hire minorities for... [Read more]

We already talked about a handful of college coaches who are stepping down or being fired at the end of the 2009 season. Looks like these coaches are getting some company. I’m sure this is just the beginning, especially with schools like Notre Dame questioning whether a mediocre season is good enough. One of the new coaches leaving is doing so under his own power. San Jose State will say goodbye to Dick Tomey, who announced that he’ll be retiring following the school’s game against Louisiana Tech in early December. Tomey is 71 years old and has been head coach for 29 years. He and his wife plan to return to Hawaii, where he got his first job as a head coach in 1977. He’s been with the Spartans since 2005 and leaves with... [Read more]