Monday Afternoon Long Snapper (5/12/08)
Some college football thoughts…
• There have been a lot of rumblings about Jimbo Fisher’s deal with FSU to become the head football coach once Bobby Bowden retires. Some say Bowden should have been gone years ago. Some say he should stay as long as he likes. Either way, people are already speculating FSU could lose out on Fisher if Bowden stays too long. As part of the deal, Fisher has to be named the head coach by January 10, 2011 or he gets $2.5 million from FSU. So basically, Bowden needs to be out within the next 3 seasons.
There is a thought about athletes and coaches that they shouldn’t be told when they should have to hang it up. They are doing something they love and should be able to do it as long as they are capable. But that’s the key right there – as long as they are capable. Looking at the Seminoles record over the past few years, it would seem some changes need to be made. One was getting Fisher on the staff in the first place. And another was signing him to the “coach-in-waiting” deal. But at this point, I think it’s on Bowden. If he really wants to help the future of his program, he needs to do what’s best for it. I don’t know if that’s stepping down now, in 3 years, or in 10 years. Fisher’s never been a head coach, so we have no idea if he will succeed. Right now, it comes down to Bowden. Put it this way: from 1987 to 2000 the Seminoles lost a total of 19 games in 14 seasons, but from 2001 to 2007 they lost 32 games in only 6 seasons. Something needs to change.
• UCF cornerback Johnell Neal was shot during an altercation in Baton Rouge, LA. Not much is known about his condition so far, but head coach George O’Leary did speak with Neal, so hopefully that’s a good sign. Neal was going to be one the Knight’s defensive leaders this year and has started 38 games already for UCF.
We don’t know much about this or Matt Patchan’s situation, but it’s amazing how common these stories are becoming. Maybe when I was younger I was just a fan of the game and paid little attention to what went on off the field, but it sure does seem like incidents like this are much more prevalent than they were in the past.
• Rich Rodriguez must think ticking off West Virginia fans wasn’t enough, so now he’s going after Michigan fans. Rodriguez broke one of Michigan’s football traditions by giving the #1 jersey to a defensive back. Since 1979 (the year The Bull Gator was born…me, not the site), only wide receivers have worn #1. There a few reasons I don’t like what Rodriguez is doing here. 1) I don’t like Rodriguez. Plain and simple. I don’t think many people do at this point. 2) I’m a big fan of traditions and especially jersey numbers with special meanings. Nothing against Cornelius Ingram, but #7 at UF is Danny Wuerffel and always should be.
• A number of Division 1AA (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I refuse to refer to the divisions by their new names) schools appear to be interested in ex-LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. Jackson State is the most recent to put its name out there. Head coach Rick Comegy says he’s a “high advocate for giving a young man a second chance”. Seems to me like Jackson State wants higher numbers in the win column. Perrilloux has had plenty of issues since arriving at LSU, and the Tigers gave him a number of chances. All of these smaller programs rushing to get him to come to their schools are kidding themselves if this is the angle they are taking. Be honest, Perrilloux – troubles or not – is talented and that’s what you want.
• Former Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton got himself into a little trouble last week. Only about a week after being hired as GT’s assistant director of player personnel, Hamilton was charged with driving under the influence, drug possession, and hit-and-run. Before the school got a chance to remove him from his new position, he resigned. Way to celebrate your new job Joe. It’ll be a lot harder for you to find the next one.
• And finally, Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain bought a motorcycle then hurt himself by crashing the motorcycle…all in the same day. Here’s a free tip: don’t ride on motorcycles. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who know what they’re doing when they get on a bike. It doesn’t seem like athletes are among those people.