Spanning the globe on a Thursday morning …
So Louisville out-bids Tennessee for a football coach. Another example of how things have changed in college football in my lifetime. In the wake of Charlie Strong’s decision to remain at Tennessee, a frustrated Vols fan posted an ad on Craigslist for the new coach. No takers yet.
Louisville is getting ready to join the ACC as a result of the latest round of realignment, but given the way the landscape shifts these days you don’t really know what that means. If North Carolina, NC State, Clemson, Florida State or others land elsewhere the status of the ACC as a football league — already not great — take a big hit.
Strong wasn’t the only coach to turn down Tennessee on Wednesday. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, rumored heavily to Arkansas before Bret Bielema was hired away from Wisconsin, decided he’ll stay with Stillwater orange over Tennessee orange.
There is a Charlie Strong and Ole Miss connection, by the way. He coached wide receivers for Billy Brewer in 1990. …
First-year coach Paul Chryst has confirmed his commitment to Pitt while the Wisconsin job lies open, but that hasn’t kept Pitt fans from getting their list of candidates ready should things change. Here’s Pitt’s list. Pitt — and presumably Chryst — will meet Ole Miss in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 5. …
At Auburn, new coach Gus Malzahn, just one year removed from his time as an Auburn assistant, cleaned house, firing several assistant coaches he once worked with. Former MSU defensive coordinator and recently fired Southern Miss coach Ellis Johnson has interviewed with Malzahn for the defensive coordinator position. …
Denham Springs, La., native, Mississippian since 1989 with a stop in Meridian before arriving in Tupelo. Daily Journal beat writer since 1996, covering Ole Miss since 2002. Proud Northeast Louisiana alum. Follow me on Twitter @parrishalford and listen to Kory Keys and myself daily with The Ole Miss Beat on Rebel Sports Radio.
