Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer shot 87 at Augusta National this weekend, and Wednesday opens spring practice for the Hokies. How good will Beamer’s team be when the Chick-Fil-A College Kickoff game arrives in September? It is a question everyone is asking Beamer. He answered that question for The Roanoke Times, “I think we’ll be [...]
Archive | March, 2009
VIDEO: Demarcus might consider Alabama
DeMarcus Cousins wants to be at Memphis with coach John Calipari; however, if Calipari bolts to Kentucky, it isn’t guaranteed that the recruit would follow him. In the video, Cousins says UAB isn’t an option, but Alabama and its new coach Anthony Grant could have a chance.
ESPNU could see wider distribution for SEC football
Awful Announcing provided a link to a Sports Business Journal story on ESPN’s efforts to get ESPNU to replace ESPN Classic on many cable systems. The talks between ESPN and cable operators “are expected to heat up this week,” according to the report. Why does this matter to you? SEC football. According to Sports Business [...]
SEC athletic department budgets
Here are the 2008-2009 athletic department budgets for member schools of the Southeastern Conference. The data is presented in text format and in graphic format for a helpful comparison between the schools. Almost every SEC athletic department responded in a quick and professional manner over the last 10 days; however, some data has not been [...]
Shane: Hiring of Grant is historic
By Shane from Centerpoint With the introduction of Anthony Grant as the new head coach of the Alabama basketball program, the university has hired one of the best young coaches in America – at least according to most of the experts and well known basketball consultant C.M. Newton. During the process, the Alabama fan base [...]
Grant embraces Alabama football
Quick reaction to Anthony Grant’s introductory press conference Anthony Grant embraced Alabama’s football tradition at his introductory press conference Sunday as Alabama’s new basketball coach. Grant declared himself a football fan, and perhaps more importantly, a Nick Saban fan. He even quoted Nick Saban from Saban’s LSU national championship season. It showed brilliance. It showed [...]
Auburn’s Lebo on VCU list
Who will replace VCU’s Anthony Grant now that Grant is head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide? Good question. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch one name on the list is recognizable, “VCU athletic director Norwood Teague said his initial list includes Rams assistant Tony Pujol, Auburn head coach Jeff Lebo, Florida assistant Shaka Smart and [...]
Official: Grant to coach Alabama
UPDATE: STATEMENT FROM U.A. PRESIDENT DR. ROBERT WITT REGARDING ANTHONY GRANT From UA: TUSCALOOSA — University of Alabama President Dr. Robert E. Witt released the following statement regarding the University’s agreement with Anthony Grant to become the Crimson Tide’s 19th head men’s basketball coach: “I am pleased to welcome Anthony Grant and his family to [...]
What went wrong for Nick Taylor & the Tide Times
The Tide Times blog rocked the world with an exclusive story claiming that Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo would be hired by the Alabama Crimson Tide. The story by Nick Taylor was discussed on Paul Finebaum’s radio show, Internet message boards, blogs and at the water cooler. Taylor fueled talk and drove traffic to [...]
REPORT: GRANT ACCEPTS ALABAMA JOB
TUSCALOOSA NEWS reports: “Anthony Grant has confirmed that he has accepted the University of Alabama’s head basketball coaching job, the Richmond Times-Dispatch has reported. Grant expects to be introduced in a Sunday press conference.” RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH: Virginia Commonwealth University coach Anthony Grant said he has agreed in principle to become Alabama’s coach.
REPORT: Grant decision expected soon
The Tuscaloosa News reported at 5:38 p.m. that the University of Alabama and VCU coach Anthony Grant had additional discussions today (Friday), and a decision is expected soon. The salary figure should be lower than expected, according to the report. “Speculation on Alabama’s offer has ranged as high as $2.4 million per year, but sources [...]
If Grant says no…
If VCU coach Anthony Grant said ‘No’ to the Alabama Crimson Tide, would Mike Anderson be off the table? Probably, if you believe there is a behind the scenes issue as rumored; however, one area that might not be a problem is salary. According to reports, Grant was offered a salary in the range of [...]
Grant raised further issues with UA on Friday?
A Richmond television station reported today that Anthony Grant communicated with University of Alabama officials Friday about “further issues and concerns.” According to WTVR, “Sources have also told CBS 6 sports that Grant and Alabama officials have corresponded on Friday with Grant addressing some further issues and concerns. According to sources, those concerns have all [...]
Missouri in talks to keep coach Anderson
Many Alabama fans want Mike Anderson to become coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team. However, that might be more difficult today. Here is an AP story on how Missouri is working to keep the hot coach. From the AP (see entire report embedded below), “The third-year coach has led Missouri to one of [...]
Gillispie out at Kentucky; Donovan’s statement on UK
In case you haven’t heard, Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie. Alabama’s coaching search remains in a holding pattern waiting on VCU’s Anthony Grant to make a decision. Here is the story on Gillispie from the AP, “University president Lee T. Todd Jr. also emphasized the philosophical differences between the school and Gillispie. ‘This is complete job [...]
Could Grant head to Florida instead of Alabama?
The Richmond Times-Dispatch asks a question beginning to be asked by Alabama Crimson Tide basketball fans: Could Grant be headed for Florida rather than Alabama? According to the Times-Dispatch, “The scenario that could put Grant in Florida starts at the Univeristy of Kentucky, where a decision on coach Billy Gillispie’s future is expected today, according [...]
Tebow too busy to see plaque
Some consider Tim Tebow’s speech following Florida’s loss to SEC rival Ole Miss a defining moment as the Gators rededicated themselves to work toward the national championship. The speech was so big that Florida put it on a plaque outside the new football facility. What does Tim Tebow think about it? He thinks it is [...]
Budget crisis could cost UA system 1,000 jobs
Al.com reports that UA chancellor Malcom Portera warned state funding could be hurt through 2013. The budget crisis could cost the system 1,000 jobs.
Leave college football alone!
I posted this note this morning, but it somehow was overwritten. Here it is again, reconstructed from memory. Leave college football alone declares Tony Barnhart in his blog at AJC.com. Amen Mr. College Football. Amen. College football is a great game, and should be left free from congressional interference. In case you didn’t know, Congress [...]
Wishful thinking from Louisiana on Nick Saban
How bad do people in Louisiana want Nick Saban out as coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide? About as bad as Auburn fans. Fans of both teams have their heads filled with delirious fantasy. Auburn fans are swearing the NCAA is going to slam Bama over something that happened in recruiting. Auburn fans have been [...]
Was Grant offered the job?
Was Anthony Grant offered the Alabama basketball job? The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that it is “unclear, though, if Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball coach was offered the opportunity to become the Crimson Tide’s first African-American men’s basketball coach during a day-long courtship in Tuscaloosa, Ala.”
REPORT: Grant leaves town
An 8:09 p.m. update at Tidesports.com reported that Grant had returned to Richmond. The Rap Sheet reported that Grant was likely headed back to Richmond in an update posted at 8:09 p.m. Tuscaloosa News reports Grant continues meetings with UA. The latest update was 7:28 p.m. At 6:22 p.m. the Bama Beat reported that VCU [...]
UPDATE: Grant to meet with Saban
Nick Saban will receive Anthony Grant the Tuscaloosa News reported. During Grant’s visit to Tuscaloosa, the prospective Alabama Crimson Tide coach has met with all the important players including trustee Paul W. Bryant, Jr., University president Dr. Robert Witt and athletic department leadership. A visit to Tuscaloosa wouldn’t be complete without visiting the real power, [...]
Kiffin Watch: That Memphis fence needs work
Memphis players love the Alabama Crimson Tide. That is the word one quarterback prospect told TiderInsider.com. According to the Memphis area quarterback Barry Brunetti, “All of the Memphis guys like Alabama a lot,” Brunetti told Tider Insider($). “There’s a chance that a lot of the top Memphis player might go there. That’s got me to [...]
BREAKING: GRANT IN TUSCALOOSA
The Tuscaloosa News reported that Anthony Grant is in Tuscaloosa. The VCU coach landed at 10:15 a.m. in Tuscaloosa to tour the University of Alabama campus as he considers taking the head basketball job for the Alabama Crimson Tide. According to the News, “He was greeted at the airport by a delegation of University of [...]
Cowell & Saban share something in common
What do American Idol star Simon Cowell and Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban have in common? If you guessed churlish, you are right, but that isn’t the answer this time. Cowell and Saban are too busy for presidents. When Nick Saban was running the Miami Dolphins, he was too busy to have dinner with [...]
Stabler’s house up for auction
Pro Football Talk reports that former Alabama Crimson Tide superstar Kenny Stabler’s house is up for auction to pay Uncle Sam. According to PFT, “The sale was required by a January 9, 2009 order of the United States District Court of the Southern District of Alabama, in an effort to collect on a tax lien [...]
Saban congratulates UA gymnastics team
Nick Saban took time off from football Tuesday to praise the SEC champion Alabama gymnastics team. The Tuscaloosa News has a report with more details. Photo via Tidesports.com:
Decision time for Anthony Grant
REPORT from the Rap Sheet: “Virginia Commonwealth basketball coach Anthony Grant can have the University of Alabama’s head coaching job if he wants it, according to two sources with knowledge of the UA search.” One of the most interesting parts of the story is the timeline. Alabama is prepared to allow Grant as many as [...]
NY Times sells Alabama newspaper
According to Reuters (see story embedded below), “The Times Co did not disclose the sale price for The Times Daily, whose daily circulation is 27,785 and Sunday circulation is 29,171. In addition to The New York Times newspaper, the Times Co also owns The Boston Globe and Worcester Telegram-Gazette in Massachusetts, as well as papers [...]
Hoover braces for baseball tournament without Bama
As the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament begins, Hoover businesses are getting ready to feel, well, not much of anything. Since [...]