Barring any late changes – which is never a throwaway disclaimer this time of year – Nebraska should be off the coaching carousel this weekend. Doesn’t mean we can’t take at least one more spin for a quick recap of what’s happening around the country.
NEBRASKA: We’ll start at home. Things have been too quiet for alternate theories, and even Orlando Sentinel Mike Bianchi is starting to see it. You’ve probably encountered Bianchi this fall as he’s written numerous columns about Frost, many of them basically meant for a Nebraska bump in readers. His latest, however, reaches the conclusion that Frost is probably going to Nebraska. In his weekly radio interview with Bianchi, Frost struck much the same tone as he did Monday (Premium). It felt like goodbye.
TENNESSEE: North Carolina State head coach Dave Doeren didn’t want to go to Knoxville either. After some rumors early on Thursday that Tennessee would turn its attention to former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, it looks like the Vols actual “top” pick at this point is Mike Leach. Unless he’s more interested in Arkansas – and I’m doubtful AD-less Arkansas can get its stuff together quickly enough to make a run at him – Leach is a coach worth chasing. With Bill Moos in Nebraska, there’s little keeping him at Washington State. Tennessee really is going to stumble into a better hire, isn’t it?
TEXAS A&M: The Aggies had a Board of Regents meeting on Thursday, the first step in approving the mega-offer to Jimbo Fisher (presumably). Chancellor John Sharp said another BOR meeting will be required to approve the hire, but Texas A&M could announce its new head coach as early as Monday. More from TexAgs.
FLORIDA STATE: Fisher is coaching the Seminoles this weekend against Louisiana-Monroe, but university officials are preparing for it to be Fisher’s last game in Tallahassee. There were some rumblings that Sumlin could be in play for the Seminoles, and one big rumble that he won’t be. Most signs point to Oregon’s Willie Taggart being the top target at Florida State.
LIBERTY: Weren’t expecting a Flames update were you? Former Husker Turner Gill got a vote of confidence from his AD this week after Liberty finished 6-5 for a third consecutive season. Over six seasons Gill is 41-29. Liberty moves up to FBS football in 2018.
The Grab Bag
- I've never had anything be "from the desk of . . ." before. Guess I'm going to have to get some custom letterhead now. Anyway, I wrote a quick guest post on Coach John Cook, Dream Like a Champion and Nebraska's 2017 volleyball season for the University of Nebraska Press blog.
- Ole Miss football could learn of the sanctions it is facing on Friday.
- Andrea Adelson of ESPN takes a look at Frost and the AAC championship game this weekend.
- ICYMI: Couple of good Premium updates yesterday on a name to consider for Nebraska's next OC and a pair of Texas wide receiver recruits, Joshua Moore and Tommy Bush.
Today's Song of Today
Brandon is the Managing Editor for Hail Varsity and has covered Nebraska athletics for the magazine and web since 2012, Hail Varsity’s first season on the scene. His sports writing has also been featured by Fox Sports, The Guardian and CBS Sports.
