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      Butch Jones leaving CMU to coach Cincinnati

      December 16, 2009 /

      According to Central Michigan beat writer Drew Ellis of the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun, Butch Jones is negotiating with Cincinnati to become its next head football coach.

      If Jones reaches a deal, he will replace Brian Kelly, who left the Bearcats following a 12-0 season in 2009 and a Big East Championship. Kelly left Cincinnati to take over the head coaching position at Notre Dame.

      Jones replaced Kelly at Central Michigan after Kelly left CMU to become head coach of the Bearcats following the 2006 season, when he won a Mid-American Conference title.

      In three years as head coach, Jones has won two MAC titles and just recently led the Chippewas into the top 25 rankings for the first time in school history.

      ESPN.com is also reporting that Jones is heading to Cincinnati.

      If you’re Cincinnati, why not go back to the same well? CMU produced Kelly and Jones had an even better track record in Mt. Pleasant, so it makes sense that the Bearcats tabbed him to run their program.

      Jones did a hell of a job at CMU, especially with the development of quarterback Dan LeFevour. This past season, the Chippewas ranked 33rd in the nation in total offense and 17th in scoring offense. They averaged over 33 points per game and Jones runs a spread offense similar to the one Kelly does, so he should make a smooth transition. He’ll also love working with quarterback Zach Collaros, who much like LeFevour, runs well.

      While this is disappointing news for the Central Michigan program, at least Jones didn’t hide the fact that he was moving on to a bigger program. Kelly ditched his team right before a bowl game (sound familiar Cincinnati?) to coach the Bearcats, where as Jones has been upfront about the situation. With LeFevour graduating and Jones moving on, the Chippewas have to rebuild for next season.


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      College Football, Fantasy Basketball

      What Tim Donaghy did wrong, in his own words

      December 16, 2009 /

      Ball Don’t Lie published its interview with disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy. Here’s what he admits to doing wrong…

      Well, I don’t want to say there were certain officials I stayed away from — rather, that there were specific officials that I went after. And it was a situation where I looked for the games that they were on, more or less … I looked to see where certain officials refereed, whether it was a home or away game, what happened the last time they worked a particular team, and who else they were with. And I was able to come to a conclusion of what I felt the betting line should be, and I would look at the newspaper and if it was a difference of four or five points, I would tell people to bet the game.

      But did Donaghy manipulate any games to benefit himself or others?

      Continue reading »

      NBA

      Leon Hall chats with The Scores Report

      December 15, 2009 /

      The Bengals have been one of the best surprises of 2009, partly because quarterback Carson Palmer is healthy again and Cedric Benson has rejuvenated the team’s running game. But some would argue that the key reason the Bengals are on the verge of winning the AFC North has been the outstanding play of their young defense. Cornerback Leon Hall has emerged as the team’s most consistent defensive back over the years and is turning in a solid 2009 season. Through 13 games, Hall has racked up 53 total tackles, five interceptions and one defensive touchdown. He recently sat down with The Scores Report to talk about the key to the Bengals’ defensive success, what it’s like being in the same locker room as Chad Ochocinco and more.

      The Scores Report: Your defense has been maturing as a group for the past couple of seasons now. What has been the biggest difference in the Bengals’ defense going from an improving unit to one of the best in the league?

      Leon Hall: Mike Zimmer. He really came to Cincinnati with an attitude that if a team gets any yards on us, they’re going to have to earn it. Every week we work hard to do that on Sundays.

      TSR: You have become Cincinnati’s most reliable defensive back the past two seasons. How vital is it for players to gain playing experience in their rookie season like you did?

      LH: It’s real important. I think it helps you get used to the speed that things come at you, real early in your career.

      TSR: Besides winning of course, what’s the one thing the Bengals have to do in order to reach the Super Bowl?

      LH: Prepare well each week, playing great defense and giving the ball back to our offense so they can score.

      TSR: Do you feel as though you’re playing at a Pro Bowl level at this point in your career or do you feel as though you’re still growing as a player?

      LH: I think I am always going to grow as a player. With every year of experience you gain more knowledge and ultimately keep getting better with hard work. As far as Pro Bowl, I’m not really concerned. I just try to perform great week in and week out.

      Continue reading »

      Interviews, NFL

      Roy Williams likes the Cowboys chances of beating the Saints

      December 15, 2009 /

      Roy Williams doesn’t believe that this Saturday’s game between the Cowboys and Saints will be the only time these two teams meet this season. He also likes his team’s chances of victory in New Orleans this weekend.

      From ESPN.com:

      “Might as well crown them, right?” Williams said with more than a hint of saracasm Tuesday. “They’re undefeated. It’s December. We don’t have a chance.”

      “This is a two-round fight, and this is just the first round, in my eyes,” Williams said. “I don’t know about everybody else, but I think we’re going to see this team in the playoffs down the road.”

      “If we pack our bags and show up in New Orleans on Saturday night,” he said, “we should be victorious.”

      Given that the Saints are undefeated and the Cowboys have dropped two in a row, Williams’ claims seem humorous. But let’s not forget that the Saints had to scratch and claw for their last two victories, which came against the struggling Redskins and the depleted Falcons. It’s not a stretch to think the Cowboys can win this Saturday.

      That said, New Orleans has been damn near unbeatable at home this season and Dallas is in the midst of another December collapse. Here’s hoping the game lives up to the hype.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

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