The Houston Cougars had an unexpected breakout season in 2011. They're hoping to keep people on their toes once again and to that end, tried to make people think that one of their top offensive contributors was switching to defense as an April Fools' joke. It wasn't really that funny, but they went to some lengths to keep up the ruse.
No, Charles Sims Isn’t Really Going To Play Defense For Houston
The Houston Cougars love a good laugh. I’m not sure what their April Fools joke had to do with that, though.
Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.
On the official Cougars athletics website on Sunday, a press release stated that former Freshman of the Year running back Charles Sims will be permanently moving to cornerback beginning this season. Sims, who is now a junior, said he believes the cornerback position will be the best fit for his size and ability.
“It’s something I have been thinking about for awhile and I feel like big corners are a commodity in college football,” Sims said. “Coach Levine said he wanted a big, physical defense, so when I approached him about it last week, he was all for it.”
Sam Khan Jr. at Chron.com was the first person to get to the bottom of the “hoax” while plenty of Houston fans saw through it more or less immediately. Cougars coach Tony Levine verified the joke later on Twitter and got a chance to air out some of his stand-up material.
I hope everyone enjoyed the joke earlier today! Charles Sims is not moving to defense...he's moving to Kicker. Have a great April Fools Day!
— Tony Levine (@CoachTonyLevine) April 1, 2012
It’s those kinds of knee-slappers that keep all the fellas down at the EZ Lube in stitches, I’m sure. Way to go, Cougars. You’re the undisputed kings of practical jokes.
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