Georgia: This spring has given Georgia a chance to break in two new position coaches in outside
linebacker coach Dan Lanning and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton. The two coaches were
hired earlier in 2018, with Lanning joining in January and Hankton joining the staff in February.
Their hirings reflect the shuffling the Georgia coaching staff has seen since the 2017 postseason.
Outside linebacker coach Kevin Sherrer was hired by Tennessee as its defensive coordinator,
creating the need to hire Lanning from Memphis. In the offseason, Kirby Smart moved former
wide receiver coach James Coley to the position of co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks
coach. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney is coaching tight ends after former position coach Shane
Beamer left for Oklahoma so the team had to find a coach to head up its receiving core. The
program settled on Hankton, who had been coaching wide receivers at Vanderbilt. After a 13-2
season, the Dawgs still felt it was necessary to shake up its coaching staff, specifically on the
offensive side.
linebacker coach Dan Lanning and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton. The two coaches were
hired earlier in 2018, with Lanning joining in January and Hankton joining the staff in February.
Their hirings reflect the shuffling the Georgia coaching staff has seen since the 2017 postseason.
Outside linebacker coach Kevin Sherrer was hired by Tennessee as its defensive coordinator,
creating the need to hire Lanning from Memphis. In the offseason, Kirby Smart moved former
wide receiver coach James Coley to the position of co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks
coach. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney is coaching tight ends after former position coach Shane
Beamer left for Oklahoma so the team had to find a coach to head up its receiving core. The
program settled on Hankton, who had been coaching wide receivers at Vanderbilt. After a 13-2
season, the Dawgs still felt it was necessary to shake up its coaching staff, specifically on the
offensive side.
Spring Games Today
ESPN Network: Alabama, Georgia
SEC Network: Tennessee, LSU, Miss State
Big 10 Network: Nebraska, Penn State
Pac 12 Network: UCLA, Washington, Wash State
Longhorn Network: Texas
Not Televised: Kansas State, Baylor
The Alabama and Georgia games are back-to-back on ESPN. I'm
looking forward to watching both.
ESPN Network: Alabama, Georgia
SEC Network: Tennessee, LSU, Miss State
Big 10 Network: Nebraska, Penn State
Pac 12 Network: UCLA, Washington, Wash State
Longhorn Network: Texas
Not Televised: Kansas State, Baylor
The Alabama and Georgia games are back-to-back on ESPN. I'm
looking forward to watching both.
Tennessee: The Vol's Orange and White game was telling on many fronts, most notably
at the line of scrimmage where an undermanned first team offensive line spent most of
the game owning the more highly touted Tennessee defensive line. The result was the
Orange team beating the White team 34-7, and HC Pruitt seething after the game about
missed tackles and what he saw as like of effort by several players.
Georgia: Over 80,000 fans watched the Bulldog secondary intercept four passes on G-Day,
ending the spring on an upward swing for a unit that lost three players to injury during the
five weeks of spring practice. Last year's starting quarterback Jake Fromm completed 19
of 38 passes for 200 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Highly touted 5-star
recruit Justin Flields was 18 of 33 for 207 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Georgia QBs
were sacked 11 times during the game.
Alabama: We'll talk about the quarterbacks or coaching turnover or whatever else between
now and August, but in the end, none of it will really matter. The lone takeaway from Bama's
A-Day game is this: The Crimson Tide will once again field an elite defense. In Tuscaloosa,
defense is and forever will be at the forefront as long as Nick Saban roams the sidelines. Bama's
first team offensive line couldn't block the first team defense but luckily for the offensive line,
they likely won't face a front seven that good or better all season.
at the line of scrimmage where an undermanned first team offensive line spent most of
the game owning the more highly touted Tennessee defensive line. The result was the
Orange team beating the White team 34-7, and HC Pruitt seething after the game about
missed tackles and what he saw as like of effort by several players.
Georgia: Over 80,000 fans watched the Bulldog secondary intercept four passes on G-Day,
ending the spring on an upward swing for a unit that lost three players to injury during the
five weeks of spring practice. Last year's starting quarterback Jake Fromm completed 19
of 38 passes for 200 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Highly touted 5-star
recruit Justin Flields was 18 of 33 for 207 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Georgia QBs
were sacked 11 times during the game.
Alabama: We'll talk about the quarterbacks or coaching turnover or whatever else between
now and August, but in the end, none of it will really matter. The lone takeaway from Bama's
A-Day game is this: The Crimson Tide will once again field an elite defense. In Tuscaloosa,
defense is and forever will be at the forefront as long as Nick Saban roams the sidelines. Bama's
first team offensive line couldn't block the first team defense but luckily for the offensive line,
they likely won't face a front seven that good or better all season.
North Dakota State: Head coach Chris Klieman has signed an extension keeping him with
the Bison through 2023. He will receive $300,000 salary with 4% annual increases. The
extension adds two extra years on his contract and comes after the program captured their
third FCS National Championship under his leadership in the past four years. Klieman is
54-6 since taking over the program in 2014.
South Dakota: Head coach Bob Nielson has agreed to a contract extension through the
2020-21 academic year with a salary of $300,000, up from the $255,000 he made in 2016
and 2017. Nielson led the Coyotoes to an 8-5 record and a trip to the second round of the
FCS playoff in 2017.
Sidenote: Alabama's strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran made over $600,000
during the 2017 season. He received a $98,000 bonus in January, 2018.
Tennessee: Former Vol coach Phillip Fulmer has signed a 4-year contract to remain as athletic
director. He will earn $900,000 in salary with a $100,000 annual retention bonus to be paid
each December 31st.
Michigan: Former Florida head coach Jim McElwain made it clear in a recent interview that
Pep Hamilton is calling the offense for the Wolverines and that he's just there to help.
the Bison through 2023. He will receive $300,000 salary with 4% annual increases. The
extension adds two extra years on his contract and comes after the program captured their
third FCS National Championship under his leadership in the past four years. Klieman is
54-6 since taking over the program in 2014.
South Dakota: Head coach Bob Nielson has agreed to a contract extension through the
2020-21 academic year with a salary of $300,000, up from the $255,000 he made in 2016
and 2017. Nielson led the Coyotoes to an 8-5 record and a trip to the second round of the
FCS playoff in 2017.
Sidenote: Alabama's strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran made over $600,000
during the 2017 season. He received a $98,000 bonus in January, 2018.
Tennessee: Former Vol coach Phillip Fulmer has signed a 4-year contract to remain as athletic
director. He will earn $900,000 in salary with a $100,000 annual retention bonus to be paid
each December 31st.
Michigan: Former Florida head coach Jim McElwain made it clear in a recent interview that
Pep Hamilton is calling the offense for the Wolverines and that he's just there to help.
Nebraska: Excitement is high in the state of Nebraska as 86,818 fans showed up to see the
Cornhuskers spring game. They got to see a faster offense under Scott Frost, and they got
to see the quarterback who looks ready to make the program more interesting. There's a
battle to come up with the right signal caller to run Frost's attack, but freshman Adrian Martinez
was hand pick out of Fresno to do what the offense needs. During the spring game, Martinez
complete 10 of 13 passes for 114 yards and a score, and ran 14 times for 60 yards and three
touchdowns. The freshman showed a lot of quickness and added a needed spark to the offense.
The Frost rebuild appears to be around Martinez.
Arizona: Looks like former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin is stepping into a good situation with
the Wildcats at the right time. Arizona's might be mediocre on defense, but they make up for it
with a solid running game and another great season from quarterback Khalil Tate. The real key,
though, is a forgiving schedule, with no Washington or Stanford from the North, Oregon at home,
and not that bad conference road dates at Oregon State, UCLA and Washington State.
Cornhuskers spring game. They got to see a faster offense under Scott Frost, and they got
to see the quarterback who looks ready to make the program more interesting. There's a
battle to come up with the right signal caller to run Frost's attack, but freshman Adrian Martinez
was hand pick out of Fresno to do what the offense needs. During the spring game, Martinez
complete 10 of 13 passes for 114 yards and a score, and ran 14 times for 60 yards and three
touchdowns. The freshman showed a lot of quickness and added a needed spark to the offense.
The Frost rebuild appears to be around Martinez.
Arizona: Looks like former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin is stepping into a good situation with
the Wildcats at the right time. Arizona's might be mediocre on defense, but they make up for it
with a solid running game and another great season from quarterback Khalil Tate. The real key,
though, is a forgiving schedule, with no Washington or Stanford from the North, Oregon at home,
and not that bad conference road dates at Oregon State, UCLA and Washington State.
Kentucky: Since going 10-1 in 1977, the Cats have had 11 winning seasons, 26 losing ones,
and had 3 break even campaigns. It's a program that owns one outright SEC Championship
and it took Bear Bryant as head coach to do that in 1950. Now in year six under Mark Stoops,
Kentucky might have its best team in a long time, at least, it's going to have one of the most
experienced squads. Stoops will welcome back 18 starters with decent depth behind them.
Here's the problem Kentucky faces: the SEC East is getting better. Georgia is a killer, Florida
and Tennessee are going to be better, South Carolina and Missouri will be good. Outside of
Vanderbilt, there just aren't any layups. Opportunity knocks...lets see how Stoops and staff
handle it.
North Carolina State: Head man Dave Doeren has received a new contract that will increase
his salary pool by $750,000, it was $3,065,000 million in 2017, 36th nationally, per USA Today.
The pool will increase by $200,000 should the Wolfpack win eight games, and rise $100,000
for each win thereafter up to eleven wins.
Washington State's Mike Leach: Golf is for people that don't swear effectively and need practice.
and had 3 break even campaigns. It's a program that owns one outright SEC Championship
and it took Bear Bryant as head coach to do that in 1950. Now in year six under Mark Stoops,
Kentucky might have its best team in a long time, at least, it's going to have one of the most
experienced squads. Stoops will welcome back 18 starters with decent depth behind them.
Here's the problem Kentucky faces: the SEC East is getting better. Georgia is a killer, Florida
and Tennessee are going to be better, South Carolina and Missouri will be good. Outside of
Vanderbilt, there just aren't any layups. Opportunity knocks...lets see how Stoops and staff
handle it.
North Carolina State: Head man Dave Doeren has received a new contract that will increase
his salary pool by $750,000, it was $3,065,000 million in 2017, 36th nationally, per USA Today.
The pool will increase by $200,000 should the Wolfpack win eight games, and rise $100,000
for each win thereafter up to eleven wins.
Washington State's Mike Leach: Golf is for people that don't swear effectively and need practice.
(A coach on the rise...a coach in decline)
Purdue: The school has announced a two-year contract extension for head coach
Jeff Brohm. Brohm's original six-year contract expired in 2024. His salary will
increase from $3.03 million to $3.5 million in 2018 and increase $100,000 each
year from there. Brohm led the Boilermakers to seven wins during his first season,
a four win increase from 2016. Good coach and good move by Purdue.
Illinois: Lovie Smith has won just five games during his first two years at Illinois and
will be fired after another sorry season this year. The Fighting Illini has had the worst
offense in the Big Ten under Smith. New offensive coordinator Rod Smith (Arizona)
has been brought in to help crank up the spread attack for a young group that returns
seven starters. He will need great improvement from an offense that was one of the
worst in the nation last year averaging just 15 points per game. The defense is loaded
with experienced players that won just two games during 2017. Illinois defenses have
given up 160 yards or more on the ground in 20 of the last 21 games. Won't be much
different this season. Lovie Smith was a terrible hire and he's proven it!
Purdue: The school has announced a two-year contract extension for head coach
Jeff Brohm. Brohm's original six-year contract expired in 2024. His salary will
increase from $3.03 million to $3.5 million in 2018 and increase $100,000 each
year from there. Brohm led the Boilermakers to seven wins during his first season,
a four win increase from 2016. Good coach and good move by Purdue.
Illinois: Lovie Smith has won just five games during his first two years at Illinois and
will be fired after another sorry season this year. The Fighting Illini has had the worst
offense in the Big Ten under Smith. New offensive coordinator Rod Smith (Arizona)
has been brought in to help crank up the spread attack for a young group that returns
seven starters. He will need great improvement from an offense that was one of the
worst in the nation last year averaging just 15 points per game. The defense is loaded
with experienced players that won just two games during 2017. Illinois defenses have
given up 160 yards or more on the ground in 20 of the last 21 games. Won't be much
different this season. Lovie Smith was a terrible hire and he's proven it!
SEC: For the seventh time in eight years, the Southeastern Conference led all conferences
with the most selections in the NFL Draft first round. The ten players selected easily out-
paced the ACC, which finished with six. The Big 10 and Pac-12 each had four picks followed
by the Mountain West with three. Like last year, the Big 12 had just one first-rounder. The
AAC and C-USA also had one each.
Alabama 4, Georgia 3, Florida 1, South Carolina 1 and Arkansas 1 make up first round picks
from the SEC.
with the most selections in the NFL Draft first round. The ten players selected easily out-
paced the ACC, which finished with six. The Big 10 and Pac-12 each had four picks followed
by the Mountain West with three. Like last year, the Big 12 had just one first-rounder. The
AAC and C-USA also had one each.
Alabama 4, Georgia 3, Florida 1, South Carolina 1 and Arkansas 1 make up first round picks
from the SEC.
Washington: The Huskies are coming off a 10-3 season and need to reload at receiver
following the departure of Dante Pettis, but Washington should have one of the Pac-12's
top offenses. Quarterback Jake Browning, running back Myles Gaskin and offensive line-
man Trey Adams and Kaleb McGary are set to return in 2018. While the defense is largely
in good shape, the departures of lineman Vita Vea and linebacker Keishawn Bierria are
significant. The Huskies have led the Pac-12 in scoring defense for three consecutive years,
and should run that streak to four in a row this season. Washington will open the season
against Auburn in Atlanta's Chick-Fil-A game.
Boise State: The Broncos are the preseason favorite to earn the Group of 5 bid to a New
Year's Six bowl. Quarterback Brett Rypien returns to anchor the offense after earning 2nd
team All-Mountain West Conference honors last year. Boise State's defense was loaded with
underclassmen last fall and held opponents to 22.9 points per game. This unit should be
even better in 2018. Beware of the Broncos.
Michigan: Good news for the Wolverines as Ole Miss transfer quarterback Shay Patterson
has been cleared to play. Huge addition to Michigan's offense...game changer!
following the departure of Dante Pettis, but Washington should have one of the Pac-12's
top offenses. Quarterback Jake Browning, running back Myles Gaskin and offensive line-
man Trey Adams and Kaleb McGary are set to return in 2018. While the defense is largely
in good shape, the departures of lineman Vita Vea and linebacker Keishawn Bierria are
significant. The Huskies have led the Pac-12 in scoring defense for three consecutive years,
and should run that streak to four in a row this season. Washington will open the season
against Auburn in Atlanta's Chick-Fil-A game.
Boise State: The Broncos are the preseason favorite to earn the Group of 5 bid to a New
Year's Six bowl. Quarterback Brett Rypien returns to anchor the offense after earning 2nd
team All-Mountain West Conference honors last year. Boise State's defense was loaded with
underclassmen last fall and held opponents to 22.9 points per game. This unit should be
even better in 2018. Beware of the Broncos.
Michigan: Good news for the Wolverines as Ole Miss transfer quarterback Shay Patterson
has been cleared to play. Huge addition to Michigan's offense...game changer!
Texas: With spring practice completed, the Longhorns are still looking for a quarterback.
Sophomore Sam Ehlinger and junior Shane Buechele came out of spring drills knowing
the starting job will be determined in the fall. Neither quarterback seem to separate in
the spring game. Ehlinger completed 13 of 22 passes for 151 yards. Buechele completed
12 of 21 for 130 yards. Neither QB is going to make anyone forget Colt McCoy or Vince
Young. One of the signal callers needs to step up and take charge of the offense knowing
that Southern Cal comes to town week three.
@Maryland...Tulsa...USC...TCU...@Kansas St....Oklahoma (Dallas)...Baylor...Open Date
@Oklahoma St....West Virginia...@Texas Tech...Iowa State...@Kansas
Sophomore Sam Ehlinger and junior Shane Buechele came out of spring drills knowing
the starting job will be determined in the fall. Neither quarterback seem to separate in
the spring game. Ehlinger completed 13 of 22 passes for 151 yards. Buechele completed
12 of 21 for 130 yards. Neither QB is going to make anyone forget Colt McCoy or Vince
Young. One of the signal callers needs to step up and take charge of the offense knowing
that Southern Cal comes to town week three.
@Maryland...Tulsa...USC...TCU...@Kansas St....Oklahoma (Dallas)...Baylor...Open Date
@Oklahoma St....West Virginia...@Texas Tech...Iowa State...@Kansas
Rice: During the 2017 season (1-11), the Owls were rarely competitive with a mix of
injuries and lack of talent at key positions. Head coach David Bailiff was fired and
Stanford offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren was hired to lead the program. The new
coach is stepping into one of the toughest jobs in college football. Rice is a private
school with tough academic standards and one of the smallest student populations
in the country. It takes a special coach to identify talent that can succeed in the class-
room and on the field. Bloomgren has a difficult task for sure. Rice ranked No. 124
nationally in scoring offense and No. 112 in scoring defense. The defense was especially
bad in the red zone ranking 126th nationally. The Owls lack size, strength, depth and
talent need to be competitive this season. Another long year for the Rice Owls.
injuries and lack of talent at key positions. Head coach David Bailiff was fired and
Stanford offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren was hired to lead the program. The new
coach is stepping into one of the toughest jobs in college football. Rice is a private
school with tough academic standards and one of the smallest student populations
in the country. It takes a special coach to identify talent that can succeed in the class-
room and on the field. Bloomgren has a difficult task for sure. Rice ranked No. 124
nationally in scoring offense and No. 112 in scoring defense. The defense was especially
bad in the red zone ranking 126th nationally. The Owls lack size, strength, depth and
talent need to be competitive this season. Another long year for the Rice Owls.
former 4-star offensive line recruit, Dallas Warmack, is transferring from Bama to Oregon to reunite with cristobal. He redshirted last year and did not see much of the field in his first two years. He's set to graduate this month so can transfer without penalty with 2 years left on his eligibility. Claim to fame is being the brother of Chance Warmack...
Arkansas: First year head coach Chad Morris has a lot of pressure on his shoulders to turnaround
the most underperforming program in the SEC West from 2017. Morris had a very successful
offensive tenure with the SMU Mustangs, before heading to Fayetteville, Arkansas, back in December
2017. He plans to spread out the Arkansas offense and update it more to the modern era compared
to what was done under former coach Bret Bielema, who focused more on just the ground and pound
aspect behind a huge offensive line. The offense is going to look a lot different in 2018, and that may/
may not be a good thing. Morris must replace six of his top seven receivers from a year ago and find
a new starting quarterback. The air-heavy attack which Morris hopes to employ will have to start with
a ton of new faces. A 6-6 season would be a big win for Morris and staff during their first season. I
wouldn't bet on it though.
the most underperforming program in the SEC West from 2017. Morris had a very successful
offensive tenure with the SMU Mustangs, before heading to Fayetteville, Arkansas, back in December
2017. He plans to spread out the Arkansas offense and update it more to the modern era compared
to what was done under former coach Bret Bielema, who focused more on just the ground and pound
aspect behind a huge offensive line. The offense is going to look a lot different in 2018, and that may/
may not be a good thing. Morris must replace six of his top seven receivers from a year ago and find
a new starting quarterback. The air-heavy attack which Morris hopes to employ will have to start with
a ton of new faces. A 6-6 season would be a big win for Morris and staff during their first season. I
wouldn't bet on it though.
Miami: According to the Miami Herald, the Hurricanes are working on a contract extension
for head coach Mark Richt that would keep him at Miami for years to come. Richt returned
to The U after being fired by Georgia and signed a six year deal worth just north of $4.0
million annually. After a 9-4 first season at his alma mater, Richt led the Canes to a 10-3
record in 2017. It was the program's first season with double-digit wins since way back in
2003. Last year Miami played in the conference championship game which was their first
since joining the ACC. Richt has been on a mission since being dumped by the Dawgs!
for head coach Mark Richt that would keep him at Miami for years to come. Richt returned
to The U after being fired by Georgia and signed a six year deal worth just north of $4.0
million annually. After a 9-4 first season at his alma mater, Richt led the Canes to a 10-3
record in 2017. It was the program's first season with double-digit wins since way back in
2003. Last year Miami played in the conference championship game which was their first
since joining the ACC. Richt has been on a mission since being dumped by the Dawgs!
Georgia: After leading the Bulldogs to the national championship game, 42 year old
football coach Kirby Smart has been rewarded with a new seven-year contract worth
$49 million. The contract extension and new compensation package was announced
today by Georgia's athletic association. Smart initially signed a six-year deal that paid
him $3.75 million per season when he took over the program in 2016. After going 8-5
his first year, the Dawgs won their first SEC title since 2005 and finished with a 13-2
record during 2017. They lost to Alabama 26-23 in overtime in the national title game.
Good to be a successful head football coach in the SEC!
football coach Kirby Smart has been rewarded with a new seven-year contract worth
$49 million. The contract extension and new compensation package was announced
today by Georgia's athletic association. Smart initially signed a six-year deal that paid
him $3.75 million per season when he took over the program in 2016. After going 8-5
his first year, the Dawgs won their first SEC title since 2005 and finished with a 13-2
record during 2017. They lost to Alabama 26-23 in overtime in the national title game.
Good to be a successful head football coach in the SEC!
