College football news: Saban-to-Texas chatter returns, Longhorns make AD hire
The college football coaching carousel is in postseason form, and MACtion makes its return to weeknight television.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Spor
Jimmy Sexton, Nick Saban’s agent, wrote in an email to a University of Texas regent that UT “is the only job Saban would consider leaving Alabama for.” That was followed a few months later by Saban’s staff getting raises at Alabama. Funny how that works.
Saban has won three national championships in his seven seasons in Tuscaloosa, and it’s hard to imagine him having similar success at the helm of any other program. For that reason, most Saban-to-[INSERT SCHOOL] rumors are greeted with little more than a roll of the eyes. But the Saban-to-Texas rumor is one that has a singular refusal to die, and Sexton’s email, obtained by FOIA request, will keep it alive for at least a little while longer.
Texas hires ASU AD Steve Patterson
Even if Mack Brown’s eventual replacement at Texas is yet to be determined, the Longhorns at least know who will be hiring their next head coach. Arizona State athletic director Steve Patterson accepted the same position with the University of Texas on Tuesday, replacing long-time Longhorn AD DeLoss Dodds. As a condition of his hire, Patterson will not be allowed to hire any current coach at Arizona State, so you can go ahead and tuck away your “Todd Graham changes jobs a lot” jokes for another day.
Buffalo, Bowling Green cruise in Tuesday night MACtion
MACtion made its glorious return to weeknight television and saw Bowling Green trounce Miami (OH) 45-3 and Buffalo blow past Ohio 30-3 on the strength of a 23-point second half. Tuesday night's results appear to set Buffalo and Bowling Green on a collision course for a de facto MAC East championship game on Nov. 29, the last game of the regular season for both schools.
Luke Fickell interviewed for FAU job
Current Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell interviewed for the the head coaching vacancy at Florida Atlantic on Tuesday. FAU is in need of a new head coach after Carl Pelini’s abrupt resignation last week amid allegations of cocaine and marijuana use. Fickell has experience stepping up in the wake of head coaching turmoil, having served as Ohio State’s interim head coach after Jim Tressel was fired for concealing NCAA violations.
Bryn Renner out for the year with shoulder injury
North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner will miss the remainder of the 2013 after dislocating his non-throwing shoulder in the 3rd quarter of Saturday's game against N.C. State. The senior will undergo season-ending surgery on Wednesday, effectively ending his career as a Tar Heel. Sophomore quarterback Marquise Williams has become an increasingly important part of the offense in recent weeks, and will be called upon to step up in Renner's absence.
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