Top 10 coaches?

Friday May 23, 2008 8:56 AM By Adam Abramson

By Adam Abramson

In the spirit of Coaches on Campus, which will pick up next week, I wanted to link to something on the World Wide Web.

Rivals' Top 10 Coaches

Some notable omissions:

--Greg Schiano: May not have the body of work, yet.

--Steve Spurrier: Probably because he hasn't gotten South Carolina over the hump, yet.

--Nick Saban: Probably because not many outside of Tuscaloosa like him.

--Barry Alvarez: Oh yeah, not coaching.

--Mike Bellotti: You try recruiting kids to the state of Oregon. I guess having Nike behind you helps. But he's amassed a 106-52 record since 1995. Not bad, but not Top 10.

My better is better than Newark's better

Monday May 19, 2008 12:35 PM By Adam Abramson

If LaDainian Tomlinson's better smells like french toast, mine smells like...Newark in August.

But I'm not here to write about LT. I'm writing about Nike.

They've unveiled a new line of shirts: Click here to see them.

They're awesome. If I was a SoCal alum, I'd buy 30 and take the sleeves off 15 of them.

But I'm not a USC alum.

And let me say that I'm bothered that there's a Purdue shirt.

Who's better is Purdue's better better than?

Northwestern?

Alright, I'm not going to hate on Purdue. But where's the justice? Ohio State? Michigan? Florida State?

Can I get a witness?

Rick Neuheisel is excited to be home at UCLA

Thursday May 15, 2008 3:00 PM By Adam Abramson

By Adam Abramson

Quick, name three coaches who are the most excited in the country about the 2008 football season.

Did you say Bob Stoops, Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel?

No? You said Mark Richt, didn't you?

Well, those are the obvious choices. They'll likely be fronting Top 5 programs comes August. But there's one name out there I bet didn't cross your mind.

Rick Neuheisel.

UCLA believes it has found its man and that man couldn't be happier to be home. The former Arizona all-state prep baseball, basketball and football star, Bruins quarterback, Rose Bowl champion, UCLA assistant and USC law school alum is back in Los Angeles and feels he's fallen into his dream job.

Neuheisel stepped in after former college teammate Karl Dorrell was let go. In an eerie role reversal, Dorrell the receiver threw Neuheisel the quarterback a perfect ball by leaving behind a talented roster.

"We’ve got some really good players. I’m hopeful, as we say in the coaching world, some difference makers will emerge. The guys that can elicit victory where it might not have been otherwise," Neuheisel said. "Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program. It’s critical we go out and get the guys that can compete with the very best on our schedule."

The former Washington and Colorado coach is no stranger to competing with the best. His 2000 Washington team will always be able to call itself Pac-10 and Rose Bowl Champions, something Neuheisel -- who earned those honors as a player, as well -- aims to do again.

This time around, he's armed with knowledge gained after two years with the Baltimore Ravens. As quarterbacks coach, he worked with Steve McNair to lead Baltimore to a 13-3 mark. The next season he served as offensive coordinator, a role he found rewarding.

"I think there’s a lot. The thing you have to be careful about is how much," Neuheisel said of what he could bring to the college game. "The difference between college and pro football is that in college you don’t need to have as much. Coaches can be like car mechanics, where they keep tinkering away and tinkering away to the point where they get away from what makes a good football team. But I came away with a lot of schemes, some of which I’ll implement."

Despite being armed with new knowledge and a solid talent base, Neuheisel has had some early speed bumps and faces hurdles out of the gate.

First, UCLA’s offense has been anything but stellar in recent memory.

"We kind of studied the numbers ..." Neuheisel said. "I have full confidence [offensive coordinator, hired by Neuheisel] Norm Chow is capable of putting together an efficient and effective offense ... You know, it wasn’t too long ago that the UCLA defense was statistically terrible. When [defensive coordinator, still on staff] DeWayne Walker stepped in, it was turned around."

But Neuheisel knows it's not an overnight process: "One thing I have learned is patience. If we’re not a finished product right away, we’ll get there. We can’t get so caught up right now, that we lose sight of where we want to be."

And those speed bumps? At the end of spring, he lost his two experienced quarterbacks -- Ben Olsen and Patrick Cowan -- to injury, in the same practice. Cowan is out for the 2008 season with a knee, but Neuheisel said he expects Olsen to return after a successful foot surgery and rehab. If not, he’s not worried.

"It’s very heartbreaking we lost Patrick Cowan for the season. But you know it’s a very old story in college football that someone steps up, someone usually unexpected. Of the remaining quarterbacks in the program, someone has to rise to the occasion," Neuheisel said. "Whether it’s Kevin Craft, Chris Forcier, Osaar Rasshan or even a freshman. They have to see this as an opportunity. They have to see they have the magic that the quarterback needs to have. When UCLA really got rolling in recent memory is when Cade McNown came in as a freshman quarterback and took over. Who knows who the next Cade McNown is. Eventually someone’s gotta step up."

The names on the depth chart can also look to their mentor. Neuheisel was a walk-on who worked his way to becoming a Rose Bowl MVP. But the coach won't use his story to inspire anyone.

"They all want to play, which is a good place to start …" Neuheisel said. "The question is: Whose name is on the back of the jersey? The good news is the front will say UCLA."

It's statements like that which truly highlight Neuheisel's excitement to be back in Southern California. But what excites him most?

"It’s wearing blue and gold again. It’s been a while to wear the colors that feel most natural. It’ll be special when we step into the Rose Bowl for our first game, but only for a few moments before I realize it’s Tennessee on the other sideline."

Should be able to get Neuheisel today

Wednesday May 14, 2008 8:52 AM By Adam Abramson

I'm still lining up Rick Neuheisel for a phoner, so if you have questions, there's still a few hours to submit.

In the mean time, I figured I would put up a picture of one of the hottest names in college football.

I've actually met Andrews two times. I'm sure she remembers.

For a while, rumors had it she was romantically linked to David Wright of the Mets. She put those rumors to bed by saying they're "good friends."

However, let's let our imaginations run wild and assume they were together for a little while.

If true, it would make a lot of sense for Erin to drop me a line. Here's why:

1. David Wright and I are both products of Southeast Virginia.

2. David Wright and I both grew up playing baseball.

3. David Wright and I are only 13 months apart in age (he being the elder).

4. David Wright and I both live in New York.

5. David Wright is good at baseball. I happen to be a very solid leadoff hitter for the Newsroom Team in the Newsday softball league.

Basically I'm a poor man's David Wright. I am a poor David Wright.

That's all.

There's a good chance Rich Rodriguez will be fine at QB

Tuesday May 13, 2008 8:44 AM By Adam Abramson

By Adam Abramson

Two weeks ago, I made the prediction that Michigan would win a national title by 2011, something I'm sticking to.

OK, so it's not the biggest limb in the world, but I feel it's sturdy because Rich Rodriguez is taking little time in making an impact up in Ann Arbor.

It'd take a near miracle to win it this season, but the light is already shining for the future.

The high school class of 2009 has yet to finish its junior year, but Rodriguez has already locked up two zone read prototype quarterbacks, and could possibly add a third to the fold.

Texas product Shavodrick Beaver and Virginia native Kevin Newsome are two of the top 2009 prospects at the quarterback position. Barely able to operate a motor vehicle, both are built as big, if not bigger, than West Virginia quarterback Pat White.

And rumors are swirling that Michigan prep product Keith Nichol could return to his home state after his Oklahoma experiment was foiled by Sam Bradford. Nichol was one of the top dual-threat prospects in the class of 2007. Scouts noted Nichol's strengths as vision and running ability. Hello spread offense.

Nichol hasn't decided on his next stop yet, but if it's Ann Arbor, we could have a log jam.

But there's something that these guys need to remember, as quarterbacks.

Based on recent history, here's what these guys can expect when they get to Michigan.

(All numbers are rank in the country in stated category)

And Pat White is already being projected as a wide receiver.

Food for thought, if you're ready to showcase your arm.

But if you're in it for the championship, might be worth slugging it out with those other guys.

Next up: Rick Neuheisel

Tuesday May 13, 2008 7:27 AM By Adam Abramson

I'm finalizing a time now to speak with former walk-on, Rose Bowl champion, Pac-10 champion, lawyer, former Colorado and Washingotn coach, former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator and current UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel.

Submit your questions while you can. And, yes, I will ask about the misfortune of the Bruins' QBs in spring ball.

Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman ready for a turnaround

Thursday May 8, 2008 12:56 PM By Adam Abramson

By Adam Abramson

In addition to making me look bad this season, Dennis Franchione flipped College Station upside down and left Texas A&M’s football program in a state of emergency.

The former coach recruited a ton of talent to play on Kyle Field and this Web space predicted the Aggies to win the Big 12 with their stable of offensive weapons.

Instead, they flopped to a 7-6 record, showing little toughness and often forgetting football includes playing defense.

In addition to ticking everyone off with mediocre football, Franchione raked the program over the bad press coals with stunts like the “booster newsletter” that earned him, I mean his Web site, over $37,000.

A&M decided to clean its hands of Franchione and bring in Mike Sherman from the Houston Texans. While Sherman is a stranger to running a college football program, he’s no foreigner to the A&M football program. That said, leading the Aggies won’t be that foreign a task to Sherman, who served as both general manager and head coach in Green Bay.

Purely from a personality standpoint, Sherman is the perfect hire. The Aggies have to restore their great tradition of pure football and winning and Sherman is the right man to front this movement. He’s all business and has a great appreciation for what Texas A&M football was. After all, he’s been there.

“It’s kind of like going full circle,” Sherman said. “This is my third time, so there’s a lot of familiarity, but a lot of new things, as well.”

That makes sense, considering he hasn’t coached in College Station, or on the college ranks, since 1996. After over a decade in the pros, Sherman is having to adjust to the changes that come with the college game.

“The numbers that you deal with when you get your whole squad together is 130 players and in the National Football League you had 53 with about eight practice squad players,” Sherman said. “And then the issues you deal with are so different, obviously. The academic part of things, the maturity aspects, trying to get guys to be more accountable – most of the guys in the National Football League have achieved success in those areas as far as accountability and doing your job the right way. The kids here are just learning, so you’re teaching them those things.”

Sherman served as the GM and head coach in Green Bay -- experience should weather that change rather well. Sherman acknowledged the similarities between the roles of GM and head coach at A&M, citing everything from recruiting to administrative duties.

“The transition is always a difficult time. When you take something over like I did, and like other people have done, the sooner people jump in the boat, the sooner the trust factor comes your way as a leader of the football team and the sooner you can make progress.”

Progress is what Sherman is hoping to achieve right away. A&M went 32-28 under Franchione in five seasons – far below the program’s standards. Taking over at such a fragile time, Sherman knew he had to earn the trust of his new players immediately.

“What I did was I say to the players, ‘Hey, you don’t know me very well, we don’t have a relationship, but I’m going to ask you to trust me from the get-go. Give me a leap of faith and trust that I’m going to make good decisions and lead us in the right direction. If you do that, then we’ll get to where we need to be faster. And through that time, hopefully we’ll develop a relationship that will validate everything. And if I disappoint you and you can’t trust me, so be it. But hopefully that will not be the case. Understand that I have this football team and your best interests at heart and let us move forward.’ ”“So far the players have bought into that part of it and have trusted how we’re doing things and it has allowed us to move forward a little faster.”

While Sherman gets everyone to move forward, looking at the recent transgressions of the program is something he’s not interested in.

“I don’t want to talk about changes in regard to what [Franchione] did and what I’m going to do. There are different philosophies and whatnot,” Sherman said about noticeable differences under his watch. “I don’t want to be critical of the past. I just know what our guys are going to do. Offensively, defensively and special teams, what we’re going to do – regardless of the past – is be fairly aggressive.”

Sherman admitted he didn’t look much into the past when he took over. It’s also interesting he mentioned aggressiveness, a characteristic of A&M teams questioned at times under Franchione.

With his first spring under his belt, Sherman has had time to evaluate what he inherited.

Up front, Sherman has a fairly green unit of offensive linemen that he says he’s trying to mold. Fortunately for A&M, Sherman has over a decade of coaching offensive linemen. He admitted it’s “a work in progress.”

As for strengths, Sherman didn’t have to look far: “I would say our strength is two-fold: The quarterback and running back position.”

With Stephen McGee, Mike Goodson and Jorvorskie Lane in his offensive backfield, Sherman has much to work with. And that’s not a foreign concept to him either. Remember he’s the coach who worked with Brett Favre and drafted/developed guys like Nick Barnett, Aaron Kampman and Javon Walker.

While McGee, and any other college quarterback, is a step down from the field general Sherman had in Favre, the new A&M coach is confident in McGee.

“He’s very competitive, he was out this past [offseason] with a labrum tear. It’s in his non-throwing shoulder, but when we started up, he was very anxious to get back and get on the field and pushing the envelope. He’s a tremendous competitor,” Sherman said. “He’s very intelligent and is going to be a fine quarterback.”

One thing that will have to change under Sherman is A&M’s ability to win the close football game consistently. Two years ago, A&M’s three regular season losses were by a combined six points.

“My philosophy is to get our guys to be confident in those situations that come up in games that are game-defining plays. We practice a lot of special situations,” Sherman said. “We practice the last eight minutes of the game … a lot of variables come up that define whether you win or lose. So we practice to prepare for those three or four plays to define who win a game. And it’s not just from a functional standpoint, it’s so the players gain confidence when we get in those situations. It’s so they can say ‘We practice this, we’ve been here before.' "

Sounds exactly like what the Aggies need.

Talked to Mike Sherman, stay tuned

Wednesday May 7, 2008 12:02 PM By Adam Abramson

Talked to Mike Sherman this afternoon.

I'm going to spend the rest of the day writing up something on the interview. Please stay tuned.

Why does the AP hate on fratting?

Tuesday May 6, 2008 12:47 PM By Adam Abramson

Here's a story from the AP that just moved on the wire:

Authorities say nearly 100 students have been arrested at San Diego State University on drug-related charges.

Drugs, cash and guns were seized from sellers and buyers in the bust that followed a five-month undercover operation.

The San Diego County district attorney’s office says the 96 arrests include fraternity members. Defendants are scheduled to appear in state court to face charges Tuesday afternoon.

The 96 arrests included fraternity members? I wasn't in a fraternity, but I have to take issue with that sentence. What does that have to do with anything?

I was/am friends with plenty of fraternity members who spent four (in some cases five) years fratting drug free and are doing quite well today.

What's the beef, AP?

Read this post as the part of me still attached to college still taking up for fellow students, I guess.

College...