LAS VEGAS – Alistair Overeem promised his fight with Brock Lesnar wouldn’t last too long.
He was right, but he shouldn’t have been so conservative. Overeem finished the former UFC heavyweight champion in just two minutes, 26 seconds, battering Lesnar with knees, kicks and punches to win by first-round knockout.
The win sets up Overeem, a former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion, for a shot at the UFC title held by Junior dos Santos.
Lesnar had no shot, as he was unable to deal with Overeem’s varied strikes. After the fight, he announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.
“I’m going to officially say tonight is the last time you’ll see me in the Octagon,” Lesnar said. Later, he added, “Brock Lesnar is officially retired.”
Lesnar went for a single-leg takedown, but Overeem easily shook it off. Overeem hurt Lesnar with a knee to the body early, but finished the fight with a great kick to the midsection. Lesnar winced in pain and backed to the cage. Overeem rushed in and rained punches on him until referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the fight.
***
The legacy of Brock Lesnar
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Mayweather gets 90 days
LAS VEGAS >> Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a perfect 42-0 in the ring and has dodged significant jail time several times in domestic violence cases in Las Vegas and Michigan.
But his courtroom streak came to an end Wednesday when a Las Vegas judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to a reduced battery domestic violence charge and no contest to two harassment charges.
The case stemmed from a hair-pulling, punching and arm-twisting argument with his ex-girlfriend Josie Harris while two of their children watched in September 2010.
"Punishment is appropriate," Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa said after a prosecutor complained that Mayweather has been in trouble before and hasn't faced serious consequences.
"No matter who you are, you have consequences to your actions when they escalate to this level of violence," she said.
Good behavior could knock several weeks off Mayweather's sentence. but he will likely serve most of the sentence set to begin Jan. 6, said Officer Bill Cassell, a Las Vegas police spokesman.
Mayweather and his manager, Leonard Ellerbe, declined comment outside the courtroom.
The jail time raises doubts about a possible showdown between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, a champion fighter from the Philippines against whom Mayweather's welterweight success is usually measured.
A long-awaited fight between the two men regarded as among the best of their generation has been delayed by stalling techniques and verbal sparring.
But his courtroom streak came to an end Wednesday when a Las Vegas judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to a reduced battery domestic violence charge and no contest to two harassment charges.
The case stemmed from a hair-pulling, punching and arm-twisting argument with his ex-girlfriend Josie Harris while two of their children watched in September 2010.
"Punishment is appropriate," Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa said after a prosecutor complained that Mayweather has been in trouble before and hasn't faced serious consequences.
"No matter who you are, you have consequences to your actions when they escalate to this level of violence," she said.
Good behavior could knock several weeks off Mayweather's sentence. but he will likely serve most of the sentence set to begin Jan. 6, said Officer Bill Cassell, a Las Vegas police spokesman.
Mayweather and his manager, Leonard Ellerbe, declined comment outside the courtroom.
The jail time raises doubts about a possible showdown between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, a champion fighter from the Philippines against whom Mayweather's welterweight success is usually measured.
A long-awaited fight between the two men regarded as among the best of their generation has been delayed by stalling techniques and verbal sparring.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Norm Chow, new Hawaii head coach
University of Hawaii lawyers are continuing to negotiate a contract that would make Norm Chow the first Asian-American head coach of a major college football program.
Members of the UH general counsel's office have been conferring with attorneys from Yee & Dubin Sports, the Los Angeles-based agents for Chow, for several hours today, according to someone familiar with the negotiations but not authorized to speak on behalf of either party until an agreement has been concluded.
The Hawaii-born Chow is of Chinese, Hawaiian and Portuguese descent.
Word that Chow has been offered the UH job spread excitement through his family for reasons beyond a Hawaii homecoming. Reportedly some members of the family broke into tears.
"I think what it is is that it would be beyond my dad (for importance)," said Maile Chow, an English teacher at Mid Pacific Institute. "'He would be the first Asian-American to ever be a head football coach in the NCAA" at a major school. "That's beyond our family, beyond my dad as a person. It is a representative of a lot of other things and so I think that is why the rest of us also feel that way."
Friends said the 65-year-old Chow wants to finish his coaching career here. He is a native of Palolo and a Punahou School graduate.
Chow currently receives $275,000 as Utah's offensive coordinator, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
Chow reportedly received a $1.2 million buyout from the Tennessee Titans, where he was offensive coordinator through 2007, and $500,000 from UCLA last year.
Chow has spent 38 years in college coaching at Brigham Young, North Carolina State, USC, UCLA and Utah but this will be his first head coaching job. He has coached three Heisman Trophy winners and been part of national championship teams at BYU and USC.
Chow beat out four other candidates. They were Universiy of Texas assistant Duane Akina, Baylor associate coach Brian Norwood, Oregon State assistant Mark Banker and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
***
press conference
Norm Chow, home at last
[12/28/11] Taylor Graham transferring from Ohio State to Hawaii
*** [12/30/11]
Cal Lee, the Hawaii football team's assistant head coach, has been told he will not be retained after his contract expires March 31, 2012.
This month, Lee completed his ninth season on the Warriors' coaching staff after one of the most successful coaching careers in Hawaii high school history.
"It's awful," UH head coach Norm Chow said of his decision not to retain Lee. "We grew up together."
As a Punahou School senior, Chow worked for Lee's mother in the cafeteria. "It's very hard, but it's a business," Chow said.
In 21 years as Saint Louis School's head coach, Lee was 241-32-5, winning 14 Oahu Prep Bowl titles and the inaugural state football championship. <!- So much for aloha. I wonder what the St. Louis fans think of Chow now? -->
*** [12/31/11]
This football season, Lewis Powell was known as "the guy with the beard."
Powell, who has not shaved in a year, promises a clean start when he begins his new job as the Hawaii football team's defensive line coach on Monday.
"You have to look professional," Powell said.
Powell and Philip Rauscher — both administrative assistant coaches for Utah this season — will be part of head coach Norm Chow's first UH coaching staff. While Chow, who is coaching Utah's offense in today's Sun Bowl, will remain on the mainland for another week, Powell and Rauscher will be headed to Hawaii.
"I'm excited to go over there and get going," Rauscher said. "It's a great opportunity for Coach Chow, and I want to be there to help him out, and get everything done for him."
Powell was a Utah player and graduate assistant before moving into his current position.
"I'm leaving a good job in Utah, and hopefully I'll do a good job over there in Hawaii," Powell said.
Powell was born at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and lived in Hawaii, Tonga and the Bay Area. He played one season of junior varsity football for McKinley High.
Powell said he relishes a chance to recruit.
Rauscher is expected to coach the tight ends, a position that was not part of the Warriors offense the past 13 seasons. Chow will implement a pro-set offense that often will feature a tight end and fullback.
"Tight end is such an important position to our offense," Rauscher said. "We have to get the right type of kid in there. If he's on the roster already, we'll fit him in there. If not, we'll recruit, and get that position going."
Rauscher, who was raised in San Diego, played on both the offensive and defensive lines at UCLA. After that, he was a student assistant and then graduate assistant at UCLA. He also served as offensive coordinator at Dixie State before returning to UCLA to work under Chow.
Rauscher praised Chow as "a great guy to work for. He cares about the kids. He's excited. I've been working with one of the best guys I've ever met."
Rauscher said he is enthusiastic about recruiting. "You have to sell yourself, and you have to sell the program," Rauscher said. "We'll go get the best kids, and go from there."
*** [1/9/12]
Hawaii head coach Norm Chow said he will retain Tony Tuioti on his football coaching staff.
"I like his work ethic, and his desire to be a coach," Chow said.
Tuioti is a former UH defensive tackle. He was hired as UH's director of player personnel in 2008, Greg McMackin's first year as UH head coach. The past two years, Tuioti coached the Warriors' defensive linemen.
McMackin reached a "release agreement" with UH on Dec. 5. Chow was hired on Dec. 22. So far, Tuioti is the only coach retained from McMackin's 2011 staff.
Chow had never worked with Tuioti, but was impressed after telephone conversations.
Chow said Tuioti received strong recommendations.
"He wants to learn," Chow said. "He works hard."
Tuioti has been an active recruiter, landing cornerback Mike Edwards, safety John Hardy-Tuliau, and defensive ends Craig Cofer and Tavita Woodard.
Tuioti has been helpful in acclimating newly hired assistant coaches Phil Rauscher and Lewis Powell.
*** [1/10/12]
New University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow added four more assistant coaches to his coaching staff with the announcement of offensive assistants Tommy Lee, Keith Uperesa, and Chris Wiesehan and defensive assistant Daronte’ Jones.
Chow’s staff now includes seven assistant coaches. Earlier this week, Chow announced the addition of offensive assistant Philip Rauscher and defensive assistants Lewis Powell and Tony Tuioti.
Chow is expected to fill the remaining two vacancies, which includes the defensive coordinator position, in the next week.
“This group of coaches have years of experience at every level of football,” Chow said. “Our players will be able to learn from the very best in the business. They have proven track records and have been successful everywhere they’ve been. We’re very fortunate to have them.”
Lee, born and raised in Honolulu, is the older brother of Ron and Cal Lee, both former UH coaches. Cal Lee was not retained from last year's UH staff.
Uperesa spent the past two seasons as the offensive line coach at Nicholls State. The Punahou and Brigham Young alum coached the line at UNLV, Utah, USC, and was offensive coordinator at Idaho State.
Wiesehan and Jones coached in the Canadian Football League last season.
[1/12/12] Norm Chow at the Hukilau
[1/13/12] Players meet the coach
[1/15/12] Benny Fonua
[1/17/12] Clark Evans, TE
[1/17/12] Inoke Funake retained as graduate assistant
[1/18/12] Chris Demerest completes staff
[1/19/12] John Ursua
[1/23/12] Ethan Watanabe
[1/23/12] Shane Brostek is still open
[2/1/12] Warriors get 20 oral commits (2 out of top 10)
[2/1/12] Mike Milovale taught the Haka dance in music class
[2/2/12] Norm Chow comments on the recruiting class
[2/8/12] Quenton Brown, defensive end
[2/9/12] Nick Rolovich joining Nevada staff / future head coach?
[2/9/12] Marrell Jackson, safety
Coach Profiles
Thom Kaumeyer (linebacker)
Lewis Powell (defensive line)
Daronte Jones (defensive backs)
Chris Demarest (special teams)
Phil Rauscher (tight ends)
Tommy Lee (receivers)
Chris Wiesehan (offensive line)
Keith Uperesa (running backs)
Norm Chow (head coach, quarterbacks)
[8/31/12] The New Look Warriors
[9/1/12] Norm Chow Returns to the Coliseum Saturday to Make History
[9/1/12] Hawaii 10, USC 49
[9/27/12] Memories of Provo
Members of the UH general counsel's office have been conferring with attorneys from Yee & Dubin Sports, the Los Angeles-based agents for Chow, for several hours today, according to someone familiar with the negotiations but not authorized to speak on behalf of either party until an agreement has been concluded.
The Hawaii-born Chow is of Chinese, Hawaiian and Portuguese descent.
Word that Chow has been offered the UH job spread excitement through his family for reasons beyond a Hawaii homecoming. Reportedly some members of the family broke into tears.
"I think what it is is that it would be beyond my dad (for importance)," said Maile Chow, an English teacher at Mid Pacific Institute. "'He would be the first Asian-American to ever be a head football coach in the NCAA" at a major school. "That's beyond our family, beyond my dad as a person. It is a representative of a lot of other things and so I think that is why the rest of us also feel that way."
Friends said the 65-year-old Chow wants to finish his coaching career here. He is a native of Palolo and a Punahou School graduate.
Chow currently receives $275,000 as Utah's offensive coordinator, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
Chow reportedly received a $1.2 million buyout from the Tennessee Titans, where he was offensive coordinator through 2007, and $500,000 from UCLA last year.
Chow has spent 38 years in college coaching at Brigham Young, North Carolina State, USC, UCLA and Utah but this will be his first head coaching job. He has coached three Heisman Trophy winners and been part of national championship teams at BYU and USC.
Chow beat out four other candidates. They were Universiy of Texas assistant Duane Akina, Baylor associate coach Brian Norwood, Oregon State assistant Mark Banker and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
***
press conference
Norm Chow, home at last
[12/28/11] Taylor Graham transferring from Ohio State to Hawaii
*** [12/30/11]
Cal Lee, the Hawaii football team's assistant head coach, has been told he will not be retained after his contract expires March 31, 2012.
This month, Lee completed his ninth season on the Warriors' coaching staff after one of the most successful coaching careers in Hawaii high school history.
"It's awful," UH head coach Norm Chow said of his decision not to retain Lee. "We grew up together."
As a Punahou School senior, Chow worked for Lee's mother in the cafeteria. "It's very hard, but it's a business," Chow said.
In 21 years as Saint Louis School's head coach, Lee was 241-32-5, winning 14 Oahu Prep Bowl titles and the inaugural state football championship. <!- So much for aloha. I wonder what the St. Louis fans think of Chow now? -->
*** [12/31/11]
This football season, Lewis Powell was known as "the guy with the beard."
Powell, who has not shaved in a year, promises a clean start when he begins his new job as the Hawaii football team's defensive line coach on Monday.
"You have to look professional," Powell said.
Powell and Philip Rauscher — both administrative assistant coaches for Utah this season — will be part of head coach Norm Chow's first UH coaching staff. While Chow, who is coaching Utah's offense in today's Sun Bowl, will remain on the mainland for another week, Powell and Rauscher will be headed to Hawaii.
"I'm excited to go over there and get going," Rauscher said. "It's a great opportunity for Coach Chow, and I want to be there to help him out, and get everything done for him."
Powell was a Utah player and graduate assistant before moving into his current position.
"I'm leaving a good job in Utah, and hopefully I'll do a good job over there in Hawaii," Powell said.
Powell was born at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and lived in Hawaii, Tonga and the Bay Area. He played one season of junior varsity football for McKinley High.
Powell said he relishes a chance to recruit.
Rauscher is expected to coach the tight ends, a position that was not part of the Warriors offense the past 13 seasons. Chow will implement a pro-set offense that often will feature a tight end and fullback.
"Tight end is such an important position to our offense," Rauscher said. "We have to get the right type of kid in there. If he's on the roster already, we'll fit him in there. If not, we'll recruit, and get that position going."
Rauscher, who was raised in San Diego, played on both the offensive and defensive lines at UCLA. After that, he was a student assistant and then graduate assistant at UCLA. He also served as offensive coordinator at Dixie State before returning to UCLA to work under Chow.
Rauscher praised Chow as "a great guy to work for. He cares about the kids. He's excited. I've been working with one of the best guys I've ever met."
Rauscher said he is enthusiastic about recruiting. "You have to sell yourself, and you have to sell the program," Rauscher said. "We'll go get the best kids, and go from there."
*** [1/9/12]
Hawaii head coach Norm Chow said he will retain Tony Tuioti on his football coaching staff.
"I like his work ethic, and his desire to be a coach," Chow said.
Tuioti is a former UH defensive tackle. He was hired as UH's director of player personnel in 2008, Greg McMackin's first year as UH head coach. The past two years, Tuioti coached the Warriors' defensive linemen.
McMackin reached a "release agreement" with UH on Dec. 5. Chow was hired on Dec. 22. So far, Tuioti is the only coach retained from McMackin's 2011 staff.
Chow had never worked with Tuioti, but was impressed after telephone conversations.
Chow said Tuioti received strong recommendations.
"He wants to learn," Chow said. "He works hard."
Tuioti has been an active recruiter, landing cornerback Mike Edwards, safety John Hardy-Tuliau, and defensive ends Craig Cofer and Tavita Woodard.
Tuioti has been helpful in acclimating newly hired assistant coaches Phil Rauscher and Lewis Powell.
*** [1/10/12]
New University of Hawaii head football coach Norm Chow added four more assistant coaches to his coaching staff with the announcement of offensive assistants Tommy Lee, Keith Uperesa, and Chris Wiesehan and defensive assistant Daronte’ Jones.
Chow’s staff now includes seven assistant coaches. Earlier this week, Chow announced the addition of offensive assistant Philip Rauscher and defensive assistants Lewis Powell and Tony Tuioti.
Chow is expected to fill the remaining two vacancies, which includes the defensive coordinator position, in the next week.
“This group of coaches have years of experience at every level of football,” Chow said. “Our players will be able to learn from the very best in the business. They have proven track records and have been successful everywhere they’ve been. We’re very fortunate to have them.”
Lee, born and raised in Honolulu, is the older brother of Ron and Cal Lee, both former UH coaches. Cal Lee was not retained from last year's UH staff.
Uperesa spent the past two seasons as the offensive line coach at Nicholls State. The Punahou and Brigham Young alum coached the line at UNLV, Utah, USC, and was offensive coordinator at Idaho State.
Wiesehan and Jones coached in the Canadian Football League last season.
[1/12/12] Norm Chow at the Hukilau
[1/13/12] Players meet the coach
[1/15/12] Benny Fonua
[1/17/12] Clark Evans, TE
[1/17/12] Inoke Funake retained as graduate assistant
[1/18/12] Chris Demerest completes staff
[1/19/12] John Ursua
[1/23/12] Ethan Watanabe
[1/23/12] Shane Brostek is still open
[2/1/12] Warriors get 20 oral commits (2 out of top 10)
[2/1/12] Mike Milovale taught the Haka dance in music class
[2/2/12] Norm Chow comments on the recruiting class
[2/8/12] Quenton Brown, defensive end
[2/9/12] Nick Rolovich joining Nevada staff / future head coach?
[2/9/12] Marrell Jackson, safety
Coach Profiles
Thom Kaumeyer (linebacker)
Lewis Powell (defensive line)
Daronte Jones (defensive backs)
Chris Demarest (special teams)
Phil Rauscher (tight ends)
Tommy Lee (receivers)
Chris Wiesehan (offensive line)
Keith Uperesa (running backs)
Norm Chow (head coach, quarterbacks)
[8/31/12] The New Look Warriors
[9/1/12] Norm Chow Returns to the Coliseum Saturday to Make History
[9/1/12] Hawaii 10, USC 49
[9/27/12] Memories of Provo
Yu Darvish
After losing a pair of aces in the last two years, the Texas Rangers are going global to land a new one.
Winner of consecutive AL pennants, Texas also won the Yu Darvish sweepstakes Monday night with a record bid of $51.7 million. Now, the Rangers get 30 days to negotiate a contract with Darvish that would put Japan’s best pitcher at the top of their rotation.
“Obviously, it’s a very exciting night for our organization, our fans and our community,” general manager Jon Daniels said on a conference call.
Major League Baseball announced that the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Pacific League accepted the highest bid for Darvish. That sealed offer was submitted under the posting system by the Rangers.
“Our ownership went the extra mile on this one,” Daniels said, declining to reveal specifics.
A person familiar with the details said the winning bid by Texas was $51.7 million — more than the $51.1 million posting fee the Boston Red Sox paid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the figure was not made public.
Darvish is considered the best pitcher in the Japanese professional leagues and several of baseball’s biggest spenders were thought to be interested in him.
Winner of consecutive AL pennants, Texas also won the Yu Darvish sweepstakes Monday night with a record bid of $51.7 million. Now, the Rangers get 30 days to negotiate a contract with Darvish that would put Japan’s best pitcher at the top of their rotation.
“Obviously, it’s a very exciting night for our organization, our fans and our community,” general manager Jon Daniels said on a conference call.
Major League Baseball announced that the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan’s Pacific League accepted the highest bid for Darvish. That sealed offer was submitted under the posting system by the Rangers.
“Our ownership went the extra mile on this one,” Daniels said, declining to reveal specifics.
A person familiar with the details said the winning bid by Texas was $51.7 million — more than the $51.1 million posting fee the Boston Red Sox paid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the figure was not made public.
Darvish is considered the best pitcher in the Japanese professional leagues and several of baseball’s biggest spenders were thought to be interested in him.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Barry Bonds gets 30 days
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Home run king Barry Bonds learned his fate Friday after eight years of being pursued by prosecutors in a case that began with steroid allegations: a 30-day sentence, to be served at his Beverly Hills estate.
No more—and maybe less.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston immediately delayed imposing the sentence while Bonds appeals his obstruction of justice conviction. The former baseball star was found guilty in April not of using steroids, but of misleading grand jurors.
Even without prison time, the case has left its mark on the seven-time National League MVP. His 762 career home runs, and 73 homers in 2001, may forever be seen as tainted records, and his ticket to baseball’s Hall of Fame is in doubt.
Bonds was sentenced to two years of probation, 250 hours of community service, a $4,000 fine and 30 days of home confinement. It will take time to determine whether he serves any of it; his appellate specialist, Dennis Riordan, estimated it would take nearly a year and a half for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rule.
No more—and maybe less.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston immediately delayed imposing the sentence while Bonds appeals his obstruction of justice conviction. The former baseball star was found guilty in April not of using steroids, but of misleading grand jurors.
Even without prison time, the case has left its mark on the seven-time National League MVP. His 762 career home runs, and 73 homers in 2001, may forever be seen as tainted records, and his ticket to baseball’s Hall of Fame is in doubt.
Bonds was sentenced to two years of probation, 250 hours of community service, a $4,000 fine and 30 days of home confinement. It will take time to determine whether he serves any of it; his appellate specialist, Dennis Riordan, estimated it would take nearly a year and a half for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rule.
Monday, December 12, 2011
2011 NFL picks
Looking at Bobby Curran's NFL picks made in September.
AFC
South
Indianapolis
North
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
East
New England
New York Jets
West
San Diego
AFC Championship
San Diego over New England
NFC
West
St. Louis
South
New Orleans
Atlanta
North
Green Bay
East
Philadelphia
New York Giants
NFC Championship
Atlanta over Green Bay
Super Bowl
San Diego 35 Atlanta 24
How's he doing so far?
First of all, Indianapolis is 0-13 (who knew Peyton Manning would be out?).
Pittsburgh and Baltimore are tied at 10-3. So that's spot on.
New England and the Jets lead the East at 10-3 and 8-5. So spot on again.
San Diego is 6-7. So I'd have to say that's a miss so far.
In the NFC, St. Louis is 2-10. That's another big miss.
New Orleans and Atlanta lead the South at 10-3 and 8-5. So that looks good.
Green Bay is 13-0. Yep.
Philadelphia is 5-8. So that's a miss. The Giants are 7-6 and tied for the East lead with Dallas. So that's about right.
The big surprises are Houston at 10-3 and San Francisco at 10-3. And who knew Tim Tebow?
So a couple of big misses, but the rest aren't bad.
AFC
South
Indianapolis
North
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
East
New England
New York Jets
West
San Diego
AFC Championship
San Diego over New England
NFC
West
St. Louis
South
New Orleans
Atlanta
North
Green Bay
East
Philadelphia
New York Giants
NFC Championship
Atlanta over Green Bay
Super Bowl
San Diego 35 Atlanta 24
How's he doing so far?
First of all, Indianapolis is 0-13 (who knew Peyton Manning would be out?).
Pittsburgh and Baltimore are tied at 10-3. So that's spot on.
New England and the Jets lead the East at 10-3 and 8-5. So spot on again.
San Diego is 6-7. So I'd have to say that's a miss so far.
In the NFC, St. Louis is 2-10. That's another big miss.
New Orleans and Atlanta lead the South at 10-3 and 8-5. So that looks good.
Green Bay is 13-0. Yep.
Philadelphia is 5-8. So that's a miss. The Giants are 7-6 and tied for the East lead with Dallas. So that's about right.
The big surprises are Houston at 10-3 and San Francisco at 10-3. And who knew Tim Tebow?
So a couple of big misses, but the rest aren't bad.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
pro wrestling videos
3/14/04 - Wrestlemania XX: The Rock and Sock Connection vs. Evolution
3/01/04 -The Rock returns to help Mick Foley against Evolution
3/13/00 - Vince McMahon returns to RAW
Vince McMahon returns to help The Rock
Bash at the Beach: The Outsiders vs. Luger, String, Savage
5/27/96 - The Outsiders invade Monday Nitro
7/17/94 - Bash at the Beach: Hogan vs. Flair
May 1987 - Manny Fernandez and Rick Rude vs. Road Warriors
5/25/85 - Dusty Rhodes on World Championship Wrestling
Jesse Ventura vs. Hulk Hogan
1984 - Jesse The Body Ventura interview with Mean Gene
Ripper Collins returns (interview with Lord Blears)
Muhammad Ali with Freddie Blassic on Tonight Show (with MacLean Stevenson)
Muhammad Ali vs. Gorilla Monsoon
1950's interviews (Freddie Blassie)
3/01/04 -The Rock returns to help Mick Foley against Evolution
3/13/00 - Vince McMahon returns to RAW
Vince McMahon returns to help The Rock
Bash at the Beach: The Outsiders vs. Luger, String, Savage
5/27/96 - The Outsiders invade Monday Nitro
7/17/94 - Bash at the Beach: Hogan vs. Flair
May 1987 - Manny Fernandez and Rick Rude vs. Road Warriors
5/25/85 - Dusty Rhodes on World Championship Wrestling
Jesse Ventura vs. Hulk Hogan
1984 - Jesse The Body Ventura interview with Mean Gene
Ripper Collins returns (interview with Lord Blears)
Muhammad Ali with Freddie Blassic on Tonight Show (with MacLean Stevenson)
Muhammad Ali vs. Gorilla Monsoon
1950's interviews (Freddie Blassie)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
more college coaching hires
Texas A&M has selected Kevin Sumlin as its new football coach, school officials announced Saturday.
Sumlin posted a 12-1 record this season at Houston and a 35-17 record in four seasons at the school. He replaces Mike Sherman, who was fired after a 6-6 season and a 25-25 record in four seasons in College Station.
A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said school officials finalized a deal Saturday morning with Sumlin, a former A&M assistant coach under R.C. Slocum. Terms were not announced, and Sumlin will address the media for the first time as A&M's coach during a Monday news conference in College Station.
Sumlin was A&M's play-caller in 2002 when the Aggies defeated No. 1 Oklahoma 30-26 at Kyle Field with freshman quarterback Reggie McNeal leading the offense.
***
UCLA announced Saturday morning that Jim Mora Jr. will be its next head coach.
Mora, 50, has spent the last two years as an analyst at the NFL Network and has spent the bulk of his coaching career in the NFL, including working as the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons. This will be his first college head coaching job.
The Los Angeles Times notes he hasn't worked at the collegiate level since 1984, when he was a graduate assistant at the University of Washington after playing for the Huskies.
Mora will take over for Rick Neuheisel, who was fired Nov. 28 after going 21-29 (6-7 this season) in four years. Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson will serve as the interim coach for the Bruins when they face Illinois at the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco on Dec. 31.
Mora went 26-22 with the Falcons from 2004-06, coaching in one NFC Championship Game in 2004, and 5-11 with the Seahawks in 2009, putting his NFL head coaching record at 31-33. Before getting the Atlanta job, he held assistant positions with the San Diego Chargers, the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints under his father Jim E. Mora.
Sumlin posted a 12-1 record this season at Houston and a 35-17 record in four seasons at the school. He replaces Mike Sherman, who was fired after a 6-6 season and a 25-25 record in four seasons in College Station.
A&M athletic director Bill Byrne said school officials finalized a deal Saturday morning with Sumlin, a former A&M assistant coach under R.C. Slocum. Terms were not announced, and Sumlin will address the media for the first time as A&M's coach during a Monday news conference in College Station.
Sumlin was A&M's play-caller in 2002 when the Aggies defeated No. 1 Oklahoma 30-26 at Kyle Field with freshman quarterback Reggie McNeal leading the offense.
***
UCLA announced Saturday morning that Jim Mora Jr. will be its next head coach.
Mora, 50, has spent the last two years as an analyst at the NFL Network and has spent the bulk of his coaching career in the NFL, including working as the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons. This will be his first college head coaching job.
The Los Angeles Times notes he hasn't worked at the collegiate level since 1984, when he was a graduate assistant at the University of Washington after playing for the Huskies.
Mora will take over for Rick Neuheisel, who was fired Nov. 28 after going 21-29 (6-7 this season) in four years. Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson will serve as the interim coach for the Bruins when they face Illinois at the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco on Dec. 31.
Mora went 26-22 with the Falcons from 2004-06, coaching in one NFC Championship Game in 2004, and 5-11 with the Seahawks in 2009, putting his NFL head coaching record at 31-33. Before getting the Atlanta job, he held assistant positions with the San Diego Chargers, the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints under his father Jim E. Mora.
RG3 wins Heisman
Robert Griffin III beat out preseason favorite Andrew Luck for the Heisman Trophy, dazzling voters with his ability to throw, run and lead Big 12 doormat Baylor into the national rankings.
The junior quarterback known as RG3 became the first Heisman winner from Baylor on Saturday night by a comfortable cushion over the Stanford star.
Griffin started the season on the fringe of the Heisman conversation, a talented and exciting player on a marginal team, while Luck was already being touted as a No. 1 NFL draft pick.
Draft day might very well still belong to Luck, but Griffin diverted the Heisman to Waco, Texas, to a school that has never had a player finish better than fourth in the voting — and that was 48 years ago.
Griffin received 405 first-place votes and 1,687 points. Luck received 247 first-place votes and 1,407 points to become the fourth player to be Heisman runner-up in consecutive seasons and first since Arkansas running back Darren McFadden in 2006 and '07.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson was third with 138 first-place votes and 978 points. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball (348 points) was fourth and the other finalist, LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (327) was fifth.
The junior quarterback known as RG3 became the first Heisman winner from Baylor on Saturday night by a comfortable cushion over the Stanford star.
Griffin started the season on the fringe of the Heisman conversation, a talented and exciting player on a marginal team, while Luck was already being touted as a No. 1 NFL draft pick.
Draft day might very well still belong to Luck, but Griffin diverted the Heisman to Waco, Texas, to a school that has never had a player finish better than fourth in the voting — and that was 48 years ago.
Griffin received 405 first-place votes and 1,687 points. Luck received 247 first-place votes and 1,407 points to become the fourth player to be Heisman runner-up in consecutive seasons and first since Arkansas running back Darren McFadden in 2006 and '07.
Alabama running back Trent Richardson was third with 138 first-place votes and 978 points. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball (348 points) was fourth and the other finalist, LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (327) was fifth.
how the plus-one could work
The four bowls would rotate hosting a semifinal and the championship game. You need three sites each year to accomplish that (two semis, one title game).
The Rose Bowl would sit out its turn at the semifinals, preferring to instead host a traditional Big Ten/Pac-12 matchup on Jan. 1 every year. As they do now, they would “double-host” once every four years – the traditional Rose Bowl and the title game a week later. This is a plan the Rose itself expressed interest in during a meeting last summer between Big Ten and Pac-12 athletic directors, as first reported by the Seattle Times.
Here’s how it would look this season. All the other bowl games would continue as is; nothing would change there. But this would be your Jan. 2 schedule:
1:30 p.m.: Orange, No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Oklahoma State.
4:30 p.m.: Rose, Oregon vs. Wisconsin.
8:30 p.m.: Fiesta, No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Stanford.
Is that a day of football you might be interested in?
On Jan. 9, the winners of the Orange and Fiesta then would meet in the Sugar Bowl for the national title.
Next season, it would rotate. Since the Rose would be involved only once every four seasons, over a 12-year period the other three games would be left out of the Football Final Four just once each.
The Rose Bowl would sit out its turn at the semifinals, preferring to instead host a traditional Big Ten/Pac-12 matchup on Jan. 1 every year. As they do now, they would “double-host” once every four years – the traditional Rose Bowl and the title game a week later. This is a plan the Rose itself expressed interest in during a meeting last summer between Big Ten and Pac-12 athletic directors, as first reported by the Seattle Times.
Here’s how it would look this season. All the other bowl games would continue as is; nothing would change there. But this would be your Jan. 2 schedule:
1:30 p.m.: Orange, No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Oklahoma State.
4:30 p.m.: Rose, Oregon vs. Wisconsin.
8:30 p.m.: Fiesta, No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Stanford.
Is that a day of football you might be interested in?
On Jan. 9, the winners of the Orange and Fiesta then would meet in the Sugar Bowl for the national title.
Next season, it would rotate. Since the Rose would be involved only once every four seasons, over a 12-year period the other three games would be left out of the Football Final Four just once each.
Friday, December 09, 2011
NBA news 12/11
03/21/12 - Derrick Fisher signs with Oklahoma City
03/20/12 - Gilbert Arenas signs with Memphis
03/20/12 - David Aldridge's review of the deadline deals
03/15/12 - Portland waives Greg Oden
03/15/12 - Ramon Sessions and Christian Eyenga traded from Cleveland to Lakers for first-round pick. Luke Walton and Jason Kapono sent to Cleveland.
03/15/12 - Nick Young traded from Washington to Clippers. Javale McGee and Ronnie Turiaf traded from Washington to Denver for Nene. Clippers send Brian Cook and second-round pick to Wizards.
03/15/12 - Marcus Camby traded from Portland to Houston for Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, and second-round pick.
03/15/12 - Stephen Jackson traded from Golden State to San Antonio for Richard Jefferson and first-round pick.
03/15/12 - Nate McMillen fired by Portland as head coach, Kaleb Canales named interim coach
03/15/12 - Derek Fisher traded from Lakers to Houston for Jordan Hill
03/15/12 - Sam Young traded from Memphis to 76ers for rights to Ricky Sanchez
03/15/12 - Gerald Wallace to be traded to New Jersey for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a first-round pick
03/15/12 - Dwight Howard will stay with Orlando for another season
03/15/12 - Leandro Barbosa traded from Toronto to Indiana for a second-round pick
03/14/12 - Mike D'Antoni resigns as Knicks' coach
03/14/12 - Bucks trade Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to Golden State for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, Kwame Brown
12/18/11 - Knicks to sign Baron Davis
12/17/11 - Jeff Green to miss season with aortic aneurism
12/16/11 - Jazz sign Josh Howard
12/15/11 - Jamal Crawford to sign with Portland
12/15/11 - Minnesota signs Bonzi Wells(!)
12/14/11 - J.J. Barea signs with Minnesota
12/14/11 - Cleveland uses amnesty clause on Baron Davis
12/14/11 - Rip Hamilton signs with Bulls
12/14/11 - Chris Paul traded to Clippers for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and a (presumably high) first round 2012 draft pick.
12/13/11 - Nene stays with Nuggets for $67 million
12/31/11 - Kwame Brown signs with Warriors for $7 million
12/13/11 - Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer traded to Nuggets for second round pick
12/12/11 - Vince Carter signs with Dallas
12/12/11 - Clippers match Warriors offer for DeAndre Jordan
12/12/11 - Raptors sign Anthony Carter
12/12/11 - Memphis to match offer sheet for Marc Gasol
12/12/11 - Clippers claim Chauncey Billups
12/11/11 - David West joining Pacers
12/10/11 Lakers (instead) trade Lamar Odom to Dallas
12/10/11 - Jimmermania begins
12/10/11 - Jeff Green re-signs with Celtics
12/10/11 - Jason Richardson agrees to stay with Orlando
12/10/11 - Tyson Chandler joins Knicks
12/9/11 - LaMarcus Aldridge to undergo heart procedure
12/9/11 - Greg Oden suffers another setback
12/9/11 - Brandon Roy to retire
12/9/11 - Orlando to use amnesty clause on Gilbert Arenas
12/9/11 - Caron Butler signs with Clippers
12/9/11 - Rip Hamilton to be bought out by Detroit
12/9/11 - Grant Hill re-signs with Phoenix
12/9/11 - Knicks use amnesty clause on Chauncey Billups (to sign Tyson Chandler)
12/9/11 - Vince Carter released by Suns
12/9/11 - Orlando makes Gilbert Arenas the first amnesty clause casualty
12/9/11 - Tyson Chandler signs with Knicks
12/8/11 - Mike Dunleavy to sign with Milwaukee
12/9/11 - Chris Paul untraded
12/8/11 - Chris Paul traded to Lakers
12/8/11 - Shane Battier joining Miami
12/8/11 - Tayshaun Prince re-signs with Pistons
12/8/11 - Tracy McGrady to sign with Hawks
12/8/11 - T.J. Ford to sign with Spurs
12/8/11 - Jason Kapono to sign with Lakers
12/7/11 - Spurs to use amnesty clause on Richard Jefferson
NBA free agents 2011
03/20/12 - Gilbert Arenas signs with Memphis
03/20/12 - David Aldridge's review of the deadline deals
03/15/12 - Portland waives Greg Oden
03/15/12 - Ramon Sessions and Christian Eyenga traded from Cleveland to Lakers for first-round pick. Luke Walton and Jason Kapono sent to Cleveland.
03/15/12 - Nick Young traded from Washington to Clippers. Javale McGee and Ronnie Turiaf traded from Washington to Denver for Nene. Clippers send Brian Cook and second-round pick to Wizards.
03/15/12 - Marcus Camby traded from Portland to Houston for Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, and second-round pick.
03/15/12 - Stephen Jackson traded from Golden State to San Antonio for Richard Jefferson and first-round pick.
03/15/12 - Nate McMillen fired by Portland as head coach, Kaleb Canales named interim coach
03/15/12 - Derek Fisher traded from Lakers to Houston for Jordan Hill
03/15/12 - Sam Young traded from Memphis to 76ers for rights to Ricky Sanchez
03/15/12 - Gerald Wallace to be traded to New Jersey for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a first-round pick
03/15/12 - Dwight Howard will stay with Orlando for another season
03/15/12 - Leandro Barbosa traded from Toronto to Indiana for a second-round pick
03/14/12 - Mike D'Antoni resigns as Knicks' coach
03/14/12 - Bucks trade Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to Golden State for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, Kwame Brown
12/18/11 - Knicks to sign Baron Davis
12/17/11 - Jeff Green to miss season with aortic aneurism
12/16/11 - Jazz sign Josh Howard
12/15/11 - Jamal Crawford to sign with Portland
12/15/11 - Minnesota signs Bonzi Wells(!)
12/14/11 - J.J. Barea signs with Minnesota
12/14/11 - Cleveland uses amnesty clause on Baron Davis
12/14/11 - Rip Hamilton signs with Bulls
12/14/11 - Chris Paul traded to Clippers for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and a (presumably high) first round 2012 draft pick.
12/13/11 - Nene stays with Nuggets for $67 million
12/31/11 - Kwame Brown signs with Warriors for $7 million
12/13/11 - Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer traded to Nuggets for second round pick
12/12/11 - Vince Carter signs with Dallas
12/12/11 - Clippers match Warriors offer for DeAndre Jordan
12/12/11 - Raptors sign Anthony Carter
12/12/11 - Memphis to match offer sheet for Marc Gasol
12/12/11 - Clippers claim Chauncey Billups
12/11/11 - David West joining Pacers
12/10/11 Lakers (instead) trade Lamar Odom to Dallas
12/10/11 - Jimmermania begins
12/10/11 - Jeff Green re-signs with Celtics
12/10/11 - Jason Richardson agrees to stay with Orlando
12/10/11 - Tyson Chandler joins Knicks
12/9/11 - LaMarcus Aldridge to undergo heart procedure
12/9/11 - Greg Oden suffers another setback
12/9/11 - Brandon Roy to retire
12/9/11 - Orlando to use amnesty clause on Gilbert Arenas
12/9/11 - Caron Butler signs with Clippers
12/9/11 - Rip Hamilton to be bought out by Detroit
12/9/11 - Grant Hill re-signs with Phoenix
12/9/11 - Knicks use amnesty clause on Chauncey Billups (to sign Tyson Chandler)
12/9/11 - Vince Carter released by Suns
12/9/11 - Orlando makes Gilbert Arenas the first amnesty clause casualty
12/9/11 - Tyson Chandler signs with Knicks
12/8/11 - Mike Dunleavy to sign with Milwaukee
12/9/11 - Chris Paul untraded
12/8/11 - Chris Paul traded to Lakers
12/8/11 - Shane Battier joining Miami
12/8/11 - Tayshaun Prince re-signs with Pistons
12/8/11 - Tracy McGrady to sign with Hawks
12/8/11 - T.J. Ford to sign with Spurs
12/8/11 - Jason Kapono to sign with Lakers
12/7/11 - Spurs to use amnesty clause on Richard Jefferson
NBA free agents 2011
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Chris Paul goes to L.A.!
[12/08/11] The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement to acquire All-Star point guard Chris Paul in a three-team trade that will cost them Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The Lakers have finalized the trade with the New Orleans Hornets and Houston Rockets. The Lakers sent Gasol to the Rockets. The Hornets receive Odom, Rockets guards Kevin Martin and Goran Dragic and forward Luis Scola, league sources said.
Houston also agreed to send a 2012 first-round pick – previously obtained from the Knicks – to New Orleans as part of the package, a source said.
***
Not so fast.
NBA commissioner David Stern killed the New Orleans Hornets’ trade of Chris Paul after several owners complained about the league-owned team dealing the All-Star point guard to the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Some owners pushed Stern to nullify the trade and that the Hornets be made to keep Paul on the roster for the foreseeable future, sources said. A chorus of owners were irate with the belief that the five-month lockout had happened largely to stop big-market teams from leveraging small-market teams for star players pending free agency.
The trade between the Lakers, Hornets and Houston Rockets had been consummated late Thursday afternoon, about the same time the league’s owners and players were completing their vote to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement – an agreement that Stern had repeatedly said would help restore the NBA’s competitive balance. League owners had watched last season as some of the game’s biggest stars left for larger markets. LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat, and Carmelo Anthony forced the Denver Nuggets to trade him to the New York Knicks.
Stern listened to enraged owners on Thursday insist this trade went against the entire reason the owners pushed for the lockout, that nothing had changed, and yet it was Stern who made the extraordinary decision to cancel the deal. Demps tried to talk him out of it, league officials said, but Stern was absolute in his desire to kill the trade.
Officials from New Orleans, Houston and Los Angeles were stunned Thursday night. The killed trade had ripple affects everywhere in free agency and potential trades, and literally pushed the market into paralysis on the even of training camps opening up.
“We were all told by the league he was a trade-able player, and now they’re saying that Dell doesn’t have the authority to make the trade?” said an NBA executive who had periodic talks with New Orleans throughout the process. “Now, they’re saying that Dell is an idiot, that he can’t do it his job. [Expletive] this whole thing. David’s drunk on power, and he doesn’t give a [expletive] about the players, and he doesn’t give a [expletive] about the hundreds of hours the teams put into make that deal.
“How do the Lakers explain this to Odom? How does Houston deal with the guys it just tried to trade? Scola and Martin are going to be pissed at them, and who knows how long that takes to get over? Explain to me how the league kills this Pau Gasol deal, but allows Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol?
“To me, this makes the league feel like it’s rigged, that Stern just does whatever Stern wants to do. He’s messed up the competitive balance of this league a lot worse by killing the deal, because you’ve completely destroyed the planning that New Orleans, Houston did and left them in shambles over this. I’ve never been so discouraged about this league, never so down.
“I mean, come on: Chris Paul is leaving New Orleans in 66 games. He’s gone. And what’s Dell Demps, and that franchise, going to have to show for it?”
***
NBA blocks trade to Clippers too.
*** [12/14/11]
The NBA has reached an agreement in principle to trade Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that will pair star forward Blake Griffin with one of the game’s top point guards, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The league-owned New Orleans Hornets will receive guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unprotected 2012 first-round pick in return for Paul.
As part of the deal, Paul has agreed to not opt out of his contract after this season – allowing the Clippers to keep him at least through the 2012-13 season.
The trade ends an embarrassing week-long drama that began when the Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets reached agreement on a three-team trade to send Paul to the Lakers only to have NBA commissioner David Stern veto the deal after rival team owners complained. The three teams tried to restructure the trade, but the Lakers eventually backed out when it was clear the league’s demands couldn’t be met.
*** press conference ***
The Lakers have finalized the trade with the New Orleans Hornets and Houston Rockets. The Lakers sent Gasol to the Rockets. The Hornets receive Odom, Rockets guards Kevin Martin and Goran Dragic and forward Luis Scola, league sources said.
Houston also agreed to send a 2012 first-round pick – previously obtained from the Knicks – to New Orleans as part of the package, a source said.
***
Not so fast.
NBA commissioner David Stern killed the New Orleans Hornets’ trade of Chris Paul after several owners complained about the league-owned team dealing the All-Star point guard to the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Some owners pushed Stern to nullify the trade and that the Hornets be made to keep Paul on the roster for the foreseeable future, sources said. A chorus of owners were irate with the belief that the five-month lockout had happened largely to stop big-market teams from leveraging small-market teams for star players pending free agency.
The trade between the Lakers, Hornets and Houston Rockets had been consummated late Thursday afternoon, about the same time the league’s owners and players were completing their vote to ratify the new collective bargaining agreement – an agreement that Stern had repeatedly said would help restore the NBA’s competitive balance. League owners had watched last season as some of the game’s biggest stars left for larger markets. LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat, and Carmelo Anthony forced the Denver Nuggets to trade him to the New York Knicks.
Stern listened to enraged owners on Thursday insist this trade went against the entire reason the owners pushed for the lockout, that nothing had changed, and yet it was Stern who made the extraordinary decision to cancel the deal. Demps tried to talk him out of it, league officials said, but Stern was absolute in his desire to kill the trade.
Officials from New Orleans, Houston and Los Angeles were stunned Thursday night. The killed trade had ripple affects everywhere in free agency and potential trades, and literally pushed the market into paralysis on the even of training camps opening up.
“We were all told by the league he was a trade-able player, and now they’re saying that Dell doesn’t have the authority to make the trade?” said an NBA executive who had periodic talks with New Orleans throughout the process. “Now, they’re saying that Dell is an idiot, that he can’t do it his job. [Expletive] this whole thing. David’s drunk on power, and he doesn’t give a [expletive] about the players, and he doesn’t give a [expletive] about the hundreds of hours the teams put into make that deal.
“How do the Lakers explain this to Odom? How does Houston deal with the guys it just tried to trade? Scola and Martin are going to be pissed at them, and who knows how long that takes to get over? Explain to me how the league kills this Pau Gasol deal, but allows Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol?
“To me, this makes the league feel like it’s rigged, that Stern just does whatever Stern wants to do. He’s messed up the competitive balance of this league a lot worse by killing the deal, because you’ve completely destroyed the planning that New Orleans, Houston did and left them in shambles over this. I’ve never been so discouraged about this league, never so down.
“I mean, come on: Chris Paul is leaving New Orleans in 66 games. He’s gone. And what’s Dell Demps, and that franchise, going to have to show for it?”
***
NBA blocks trade to Clippers too.
*** [12/14/11]
The NBA has reached an agreement in principle to trade Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal that will pair star forward Blake Griffin with one of the game’s top point guards, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The league-owned New Orleans Hornets will receive guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unprotected 2012 first-round pick in return for Paul.
As part of the deal, Paul has agreed to not opt out of his contract after this season – allowing the Clippers to keep him at least through the 2012-13 season.
The trade ends an embarrassing week-long drama that began when the Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets reached agreement on a three-team trade to send Paul to the Lakers only to have NBA commissioner David Stern veto the deal after rival team owners complained. The three teams tried to restructure the trade, but the Lakers eventually backed out when it was clear the league’s demands couldn’t be met.
*** press conference ***
Hawaii football coach search
At least five former University of Hawaii football players reportedly have expressed interest in the Warriors' head coaching job.
The position was vacated when Greg McMackin reached a retirement agreement on Sunday.
UH interim head coach Rich Miano, Navy offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper, Baylor associate head coach Brian Norwood, Baylor special teams coordinator/receivers coach Dino Babers and Georgia Tech receivers coach Buzz Preston have emerged as possible candidates, according to people familiar with the situation.
As of Wednesday, athletic director Jim Donovan received about a dozen telephone calls and a dozen emails from potential applicants. It is not known how many inquiries were made to the school's human resources department.
Jerry Glanville, a former UH defensive coordinator who was head coach of the NFL's Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons, said he has applied.
"I love the people and the state," Glanville said.
Earlier this year, Glanville was named head coach of the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. But the Colonials folded before the 2011 season started.
A family member said Texas assistant coach Duane Akina, a Punahou School graduate, is interested in applying.
Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who has run offenses in the NFL and elite college programs, reportedly is interested. Chow, who was raised in Hawaii, did not return messages left on his cell phone.
Oregon State line coach Mike Cavanaugh, who was an assistant coach at UH, was in Hawaii Tuesday after a recruiting trip to American Samoa. Asked if he would be a candidate, Cavanaugh, who has already returned to Oregon, said, "I have two words: ‘No comment.' "
Jasper was a UH quarterback and graduate assistant. After a stint at Georgia Southern, he has been at the Naval Academy for 12 years — the past 10 as quarterbacks coach, including the past four as offensive coordinator.
"He's more than ready to be a head coach," said Navy head coach Kenny Niumatalolo, a former UH quarterback and coach.
Norwood, a Radford High graduate and former UH defensive back, is finishing his fourth season at Baylor. He was the Bears' defensive coordinator for three years before being promoted to associate head coach.
Babers, a former UH linebacker and running back, was assistant head coach at UCLA and offensive coordinator at Arizona and Texas A&M before joining Baylor.
Preston, a former UH receiver, works under Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, a former UH offensive coordinator.
The position was vacated when Greg McMackin reached a retirement agreement on Sunday.
UH interim head coach Rich Miano, Navy offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper, Baylor associate head coach Brian Norwood, Baylor special teams coordinator/receivers coach Dino Babers and Georgia Tech receivers coach Buzz Preston have emerged as possible candidates, according to people familiar with the situation.
As of Wednesday, athletic director Jim Donovan received about a dozen telephone calls and a dozen emails from potential applicants. It is not known how many inquiries were made to the school's human resources department.
Jerry Glanville, a former UH defensive coordinator who was head coach of the NFL's Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons, said he has applied.
"I love the people and the state," Glanville said.
Earlier this year, Glanville was named head coach of the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League. But the Colonials folded before the 2011 season started.
A family member said Texas assistant coach Duane Akina, a Punahou School graduate, is interested in applying.
Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who has run offenses in the NFL and elite college programs, reportedly is interested. Chow, who was raised in Hawaii, did not return messages left on his cell phone.
Oregon State line coach Mike Cavanaugh, who was an assistant coach at UH, was in Hawaii Tuesday after a recruiting trip to American Samoa. Asked if he would be a candidate, Cavanaugh, who has already returned to Oregon, said, "I have two words: ‘No comment.' "
Jasper was a UH quarterback and graduate assistant. After a stint at Georgia Southern, he has been at the Naval Academy for 12 years — the past 10 as quarterbacks coach, including the past four as offensive coordinator.
"He's more than ready to be a head coach," said Navy head coach Kenny Niumatalolo, a former UH quarterback and coach.
Norwood, a Radford High graduate and former UH defensive back, is finishing his fourth season at Baylor. He was the Bears' defensive coordinator for three years before being promoted to associate head coach.
Babers, a former UH linebacker and running back, was assistant head coach at UCLA and offensive coordinator at Arizona and Texas A&M before joining Baylor.
Preston, a former UH receiver, works under Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, a former UH offensive coordinator.
Preston, a former UH receiver, works under Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, a former UH offensive coordinator.
Hawaii News Now video: UH search committee formed to find new head coach
***
Three more coaching candidates: Mark Banker, George Rush, George Lumpkin
***
Kenny Niumatalolo heads Dave Reardon's fantasy football staff
Albert Pujols $250 million
Three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols has agreed to a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth about $250 million to $260 million, [it's $254 million] a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced.
Pujols led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title this fall — his second with the team. He had been pursued by the Miami Marlins, but they dropped out Wednesday after agreeing to a deal with Mark Buehrle.
The Cardinals exercised a $16 million option on Pujols' contract after last season. The slugger rejected a multiyear extension that included a small percentage of the franchise over the winter and cut off negotiations on the first day of spring training.
Pujols' numbers in nearly every major offensive category are on a three-year decline, but he remains among the game's elite players. He hit 37 home runs last season, running his 30-homer streak to 11 years, and batted .299 with 99 RBIs. He led the Cardinals' improbable late-season surge and became only the third player to hit three home runs in a World Series game.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced.
Pujols led the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title this fall — his second with the team. He had been pursued by the Miami Marlins, but they dropped out Wednesday after agreeing to a deal with Mark Buehrle.
The Cardinals exercised a $16 million option on Pujols' contract after last season. The slugger rejected a multiyear extension that included a small percentage of the franchise over the winter and cut off negotiations on the first day of spring training.
Pujols' numbers in nearly every major offensive category are on a three-year decline, but he remains among the game's elite players. He hit 37 home runs last season, running his 30-homer streak to 11 years, and batted .299 with 99 RBIs. He led the Cardinals' improbable late-season surge and became only the third player to hit three home runs in a World Series game.
June Jones leaving SMU ... NOT!
June Jones going/not going to Arizona State.
Well, that's awkward. Now what?
Jones needs to pony up.
Wha' happened?
Well, that's awkward. Now what?
Jones needs to pony up.
Wha' happened?
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
The Big East expands
(to the West and South)
The Big East introduced Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU and Central Florida as its new members, effective 2013.
Commissioner John Marinatto says the Big East is the "first truly national college football conference."
The Big East, depleted by the planned departures of Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia, is trying to rebuild as a 12-team football conference with a western division.
Boise State President Bob Kustra said his school was "proud to be aboard."
Boise State and San Diego State, which currently play in the Mountain West Conference, will join the Big East only for football. Houston, SMU and UCF will be leaving Conference USA and joining the Big East in all sports.
The Big East has been trying to rebuild as a 12-school football conference since Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced they would be moving to the ACC and West Virginia announced it was leaving for the Big 12. TCU also reneged on a commitment to join the Big East and instead accepted an invite to the Big 12.
The Big East has also been pursuing Navy and Air Force as football-only members, but the military academies are not yet ready to commit to the conference, a source said.
While the Big East is finally about to expand, it's still very much a league in flux.
CBSSports.com reported Boise State will place its other sports teams in the Western Athletic Conference, a league it left after last season, and that San Diego State's other teams will compete in the Big West.
The Big East eventually wants to have two divisions of six teams and be able to hold a conference title game.
The grand plan is to have Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU and possibly current member Louisville in the west division. The east division would have current members South Florida, Rutgers, Connecticut and Cincinnati, along with UCF.
The Big East is hoping that Air Force can round on the west and Navy the east. But, for now, that's still just a plan.
The Big East pursued BYU as a western partner for Boise State, but when those talks fell through because of BYU's desire to hold the TV rights to its home games, the league directed its attention to San Diego State.
San Diego is 3,067 miles away from the Big East office in Providence, R.I.
The Big East introduced Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU and Central Florida as its new members, effective 2013.
Commissioner John Marinatto says the Big East is the "first truly national college football conference."
The Big East, depleted by the planned departures of Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia, is trying to rebuild as a 12-team football conference with a western division.
Boise State President Bob Kustra said his school was "proud to be aboard."
Boise State and San Diego State, which currently play in the Mountain West Conference, will join the Big East only for football. Houston, SMU and UCF will be leaving Conference USA and joining the Big East in all sports.
The Big East has been trying to rebuild as a 12-school football conference since Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced they would be moving to the ACC and West Virginia announced it was leaving for the Big 12. TCU also reneged on a commitment to join the Big East and instead accepted an invite to the Big 12.
The Big East has also been pursuing Navy and Air Force as football-only members, but the military academies are not yet ready to commit to the conference, a source said.
While the Big East is finally about to expand, it's still very much a league in flux.
CBSSports.com reported Boise State will place its other sports teams in the Western Athletic Conference, a league it left after last season, and that San Diego State's other teams will compete in the Big West.
The Big East eventually wants to have two divisions of six teams and be able to hold a conference title game.
The grand plan is to have Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU and possibly current member Louisville in the west division. The east division would have current members South Florida, Rutgers, Connecticut and Cincinnati, along with UCF.
The Big East is hoping that Air Force can round on the west and Navy the east. But, for now, that's still just a plan.
The Big East pursued BYU as a western partner for Boise State, but when those talks fell through because of BYU's desire to hold the TV rights to its home games, the league directed its attention to San Diego State.
San Diego is 3,067 miles away from the Big East office in Providence, R.I.
Monday, December 05, 2011
McMackin "retires" after 4 seasons
University of Hawaii coach Greg McMackin retired today, ending a four-year career at the helm of the Warriors football program.
McMackin had one season left on a five-year deal worth $1.1 million annually. As part of the agreement, McMackin accepted a buyout for $600,000. The university will begin a national search for McMackin's replacement immediately. UH assistant coach Rich Miano will serve as interim head coach.
A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon after McMackin meets with his coaches and players. He met for more than an hour Sunday night with UH-Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and athletic director Jim Donovan just after the team's annual awards banquet at the Sheraton Waikiki. None of the three would comment after the impromptu session broke up.
In his four years as head coach, McMackin had a 29-25 record, taking Hawaii to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl twice, losing both to Notre Dame and Tulsa. The Warriors needed a victory Saturday against Brigham Young to be eligible for the Christmas Eve bowl, but lost to the Cougars 41-20.
McMackin also served two years as former UH head coach June Jones' defensive coordinator. The first time in 1999, Hawaii went to the Oahu Bowl. The second time in 2007, the Warriors went to the Sugar Bowl.
All nine assistant coaches are on one-year contracts that expire March 31.
***
The infamous bleacherreport interview with David Graves (who reportedly, according to Bobby Curran, was being recorded without him knowing it).
McMackin had one season left on a five-year deal worth $1.1 million annually. As part of the agreement, McMackin accepted a buyout for $600,000. The university will begin a national search for McMackin's replacement immediately. UH assistant coach Rich Miano will serve as interim head coach.
A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon after McMackin meets with his coaches and players. He met for more than an hour Sunday night with UH-Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and athletic director Jim Donovan just after the team's annual awards banquet at the Sheraton Waikiki. None of the three would comment after the impromptu session broke up.
In his four years as head coach, McMackin had a 29-25 record, taking Hawaii to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl twice, losing both to Notre Dame and Tulsa. The Warriors needed a victory Saturday against Brigham Young to be eligible for the Christmas Eve bowl, but lost to the Cougars 41-20.
McMackin also served two years as former UH head coach June Jones' defensive coordinator. The first time in 1999, Hawaii went to the Oahu Bowl. The second time in 2007, the Warriors went to the Sugar Bowl.
All nine assistant coaches are on one-year contracts that expire March 31.
***
The infamous bleacherreport interview with David Graves (who reportedly, according to Bobby Curran, was being recorded without him knowing it).
Pat Hill fired after 15 seasons
Fresno State fired coach Pat Hill on Sunday, a day after the Bulldogs matched a school record for losses in the final game of his 15th season.
Hill built a reputation at Fresno State as a giant killer with the mantra of playing anybody, anywhere, anytime. But in recent years, the Bulldogs struggled both in conference play and in meetings against major teams and fans stopped packing Bulldog Stadium.
"We've been evaluating data after each season for the last several years and we saw a trend that was not reflective of us being able to pursue the goal of a conference championship," Athletic Director Thomas Boeh said. "And our community was not responding any longer to the record that we had."
Boeh said that over the last six years there has been a 42 percent decline in season ticket sales and a 25 percent drop in ticket revenue.
The Bulldogs finished this season 4-9 after a 35-28 loss at San Diego State on Saturday, losing five of their final six games. Hill had two years remaining on his contract.
The Bulldogs made their mark in 2001 when they started the season 6-0 behind quarterback David Carr, with wins over eventual Big 12 champion Colorado, as well as nationally ranked Oregon State and Wisconsin, while rising to No. 8 in The Associated Press poll.
Fresno State then lost 35-30 to Boise State, ending its hopes of being the first team from outside the major six conferences to crash the Bowl Championship Series. Hill could never compete with the Broncos, going 1-10 in his career against Boise State and getting outscored 220-51 in the last four meetings.
The only win against the Broncos came in 2005 when the Bulldogs once again moved up the national rankings to No. 16 heading into a showdown with then-No. 1 Southern California. Fresno State nearly ended USC's 32-game winning streak before falling 50-42.
From that loss to the end of his tenure, Hill had a 40-41 record. He finished his career at Fresno State with a 112-80 mark and went to 11 bowl games.
"Pat was very professional," Boeh said. "He understands this industry, he understands how this works and he was as good as one can be under those circumstances. He's put a lot of hard work into this program over the past 15 years, and we thank coach Hill for everything he's done."
Hill built a reputation at Fresno State as a giant killer with the mantra of playing anybody, anywhere, anytime. But in recent years, the Bulldogs struggled both in conference play and in meetings against major teams and fans stopped packing Bulldog Stadium.
"We've been evaluating data after each season for the last several years and we saw a trend that was not reflective of us being able to pursue the goal of a conference championship," Athletic Director Thomas Boeh said. "And our community was not responding any longer to the record that we had."
Boeh said that over the last six years there has been a 42 percent decline in season ticket sales and a 25 percent drop in ticket revenue.
The Bulldogs finished this season 4-9 after a 35-28 loss at San Diego State on Saturday, losing five of their final six games. Hill had two years remaining on his contract.
The Bulldogs made their mark in 2001 when they started the season 6-0 behind quarterback David Carr, with wins over eventual Big 12 champion Colorado, as well as nationally ranked Oregon State and Wisconsin, while rising to No. 8 in The Associated Press poll.
Fresno State then lost 35-30 to Boise State, ending its hopes of being the first team from outside the major six conferences to crash the Bowl Championship Series. Hill could never compete with the Broncos, going 1-10 in his career against Boise State and getting outscored 220-51 in the last four meetings.
The only win against the Broncos came in 2005 when the Bulldogs once again moved up the national rankings to No. 16 heading into a showdown with then-No. 1 Southern California. Fresno State nearly ended USC's 32-game winning streak before falling 50-42.
From that loss to the end of his tenure, Hill had a 40-41 record. He finished his career at Fresno State with a 112-80 mark and went to 11 bowl games.
"Pat was very professional," Boeh said. "He understands this industry, he understands how this works and he was as good as one can be under those circumstances. He's put a lot of hard work into this program over the past 15 years, and we thank coach Hill for everything he's done."
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