Fourth and Dumb

Thanks to intrepid F&D friend Ahmad Ragab for giving me first alert that reports say Jim Leavitt will get shitcanned in about 38 minutes (noon) when USF has called a press conference.

The old-school bullying of players by coaches doesn’t seem to be tolerated anymore; this is an interesting trend, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, I don’t think college kids need to get slapped or have their coaches make fun of family members’ murders (right, Mark Mangino?), but on the other hand this is big-time college football, and it’s a pretty rough world. Sounds like a good off-season post topic!

So the folks in suits at Tennessee have finally had enough of their phrustration with Phat Phil and have PHIRED HIM!!! We Gator fans are much amused. Of course, maybe we should be worried, too, as now there’s the great fear that they’ll hire someone who will get that program kicking again.

Still, despite the many mean things I’ve said about Phulmer, and would be happy to say again and again, it’s worth noting that the dude is the winningest (by percentage) coach in his school’s history and that last year he had them in the SEC Championship Game, fer cryin out loud. With the amount of his buyout, I’m surpised they didn’t give him one more year. We’ll have to wait and see what effect this might have on the pretty good 09 recruiting class he had going, particularly on the RB Jarious Giles, who may reconsider FSU now.

So who does Tennessee go after? I’d think David Cutcliffe would be an attractive candidate, as the Vols have had incredible success when he’s been their OC, and he’s got Duke winning some games, which is amazing. On the other hand, Ole Miss didn’t think he was good enough, and you don’t expect the Vols to pick up the Rebels’ leftovers. Other possibilities, of faithful colleagues and, um, readers?

Calls for blood have been sated – Clemson’s head coach has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately. This comes after he turned, to my knowledge, a unanimous top 10 team in the pre-season, favorites for the ACC title and a national title contender into a 3-3 also-ran. This not only made the natives restless, but his own players – including his starting QB, Cullen Harper, who Bowden blamed for offensive issues. Post firing, Harper said that Bowden “got what he deserved.” I can’t exactly disagree with Harper here, either.

So, this basically admits what we all knew – that the Clemson season is a complete wash after such high hopes. Clemson will likely be fortunate to reach eight wins and a mid-level bowl.

The Tigers are joined on the list of legitimate former national title contenders who have seen their hopes dissipate halfway through this season by West Virginia and Auburn, along with more arguable teams like South Carolina and Arizona State.