Gary Patterson signed a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that makes him the head coach of TCU’s football program through 2022. Details of the extension have not been released, which is a standard move for TCU when doing something of this nature.

Patterson is widely heralded as one of the best coaches in the game, and his extension drew praise from local and national media, as well as some fun facts about Patterson’s tenure at TCU.

Patterson is the all-time winningest coach at TCU, with 143 wins, and already has a statue up near Amon G. Carter stadium (much to his dismay). TCU moved from Conference USA, to the Mountain West, to the Big East, to the Big 12 all while Patterson was at the helm, which is a testament to the work he’s done to build this program into what is is.

Obviously this is great news for TCU fans, for the football program, for the university, and for the city of Fort Worth. It’s a well-earned extension for a man who has done so much for the Horned Frogs.

Chris Black

6’0, 192, Sr.

Jacksonville, FL

2015: 4 targets, 2 catches (50%), 23 yards (5.8 per target)

2014: 18 targets, 15 catches (83%), 188 yards (10.4 per target)

2013: 8 targets, 8 catches (100%), 79 yards (9.9 per target), 2 TD

davidcmorrison: Chris Black’s utility to an unproven Missouri receiving corps breaks down into three categories: hands, routes and YAC.

The hands part…I’ve heard mixed things. And, for the waterbug-type slot guys who make their living among headhunting linebackers, safeties and nickelbacks, hearing footsteps is an ever-present danger. Routes, he should be golden. He’s played in the slot for three seasons at one of the nation’s marquee programs and picked up a thing or two along the way.

Those first two aspects combine into one blanket term: precision. You need precision in your slot passing game, above all else. Missouri completed only 47 percent of its passes to slot receivers last year. Imprecise.

The third, YAC, is something the Tigers haven’t had since, really, L’Damian Washington. Jimmie Hunt showed spurts of that open-field elusiveness and ability to outrun a defense, but never consistently enough to be one of those game-changing slot receivers.

If Black happens to run a route short of the sticks on third down, can he manufacture his way past them? Does he have enough elusiveness still, after his ankle issues, to gain separation on underneath routes or make chicken salad out of chicken … doody? … when his exterior blocking breaks down on swings and screens, as it often will?

Oscar Gamble: I’m really not sure what to expect from Chris Black. I get that he was a former four-star wide receiver from Alabama, but he struggled with ankle injuries (tweaking it again during the spring) and never really demonstrated durability or production. Plus, how many college teams will be asking as much from their slot receiver as the Tigers will of the redshirt senior?

I think Black’s biggest impact will be how he allows the other receivers to fit into their more natural roles and how he becomes a reliable release valve for Drew Lock. He has a dogged work ethic that I think offers a strong role model for the rest of this young corps.

I have heard he can struggle with routine catches so that’s something I’m going to evaluate during fall camp.

Pboggs: Black fills a huge void for Mizzou. With Heupel’s fast-paced offense, Mizzou will need receivers capable of blocking out defenders and competing for the ball just like Black can.

This highlight versus West Virginia shows how well Black can fit in with Heupel’s offense. As he catches the ball he is aware of the first down line, gets hit and moves the ball north. This is something Mizzou’s offense was not able to do last year.

Drew Lock’s confidence should rise with the addition of Black. The big question still remains, can Chris Black stay healthy?

TheRonDavis: One more year is all that Chris Black has left to make an impact. Black was a very highly-touted receiver coming out of high school but never maximized his full potential at Alabama.

Black joins a group of receivers at Missouri who have yet to break out. There are a lot of young guys on the roster, and at the very minimum, Black can at least show them how it’s done at the highest of levels. He’s been a part of a championship team, and he’s played in BCS bowl games and nationally-televised, big games.

That’s his minimum contribution. He’s a starting receiver who has experience. That can bode very well for Drew Lock, who desperately needs someone to step up as “the guy” at receiver. “The guy” doesn’t have to lead the team in yards or touchdowns, but he has to be reliable when Lock is in trouble. I think Black is a starter in Week 1, and I think his greatest impact for the Tigers will be behind-the-scenes, teaching the younger receivers.

Sam Snelling: Can Black stay healthy? He’s certainly shown he’s got the talent to be the kind of impact receiver Missouri needs, but it’s hard to get excited about a guy who’s spent most of his career watching football instead of playing football.

It’s nice for Missouri to pick up experience in a guy who has been a part of a program like Alabama, but he wasn’t exactly tearing it up, so I’ll call my levels of excitement “reserved” on Black staying healthy long enough to make a real impact.

Bill C.: Without immediately knowing anything about the defensive pressure he was dealing with, I have to say I’m excited about Chris Black for one simple reason: In three years at Alabama, he caught 25 of 30 passes. That’s an 83 percent catch rate, basically what you hope for out of a running back and just about perfect for a slot receiver. He averaged only 11.6 yards per catch in that span, but that still works out to 9.7 yards per target. That’ll play.

Black will obviously be the focus of more defensive attention in Columbia, however. If Nate Brown, J’Mon Moore, and company aren’t experiencing some sort of slight breakthrough on the outside, then opponents will be able to corral him pretty easily. The slot is usually more of a complement than a go-to guy, but my hope for this offense is based in part on the simple presence of an efficiency guy of any kind. Mizzou had zero last year. Now it has at least one.

As long as he’s healthy. (Sensing a theme there?)

The Syracuse Orange football season is only weeks away. Just as in years’ past, we’ll preview a different SU position group each week to get ready for the new year of football. Last week it was the the team’s experienced linebacker corps. This week:

Defensive Backs

Cornerbacks

Corey Winfield, (Redshirt) Junior

Winfield appears recovered from this offseason’s horrible stabbing incident, and could start in week one — resuming a spot he held for the first eight weeks of 2015 before getting injured. Last season, he intercepted two passes (tied for team lead), broke up three passes and managed two sacks as well. While the blitzing may be removed from his repertoire in SU’s new scheme, the pieces are there for him to improve in coverage and help usher this unit into a new era.

Cordell Hudson, (Redshirt) Sophomore

Hudson gradually got more involved as the 2015 season (his first) wore on, and as a result, you started to see some of the promise of this fall. Starting over the final four games, he did show an ability to cover more experienced receivers, make some open=field tackles, and grab one of his two picks. Now he’ll likely start, putting those coverage skills to work right away and hopefully building on last year’s momentum too.

Wayne Morgan, (Redshirt) Senior

Morgan came to SU with high expectations. And while he’s yet to truly meet them, he still has a chance to help usher this Orange defense into a new era before he graduates. He saw his role decrease in 2015, but it could still bounce back if he can find ways to get in front of passes — as he did from time to time last year. At 193 pounds, he has the size to cover the ACC’s pass-catchers. Morgan just needs to prove he can do so consistently.

Juwan Dowels, (Redshirt) Sophomore

Dowels was young last year, but made up for that inexperience rather quickly. Though he’s currently listed second on the depth chart behind Hudson, there’s a chance he breaks through to start. Or at least he’ll be a significant part of the rotation (as he was last year). Leading the team in pass break-ups and passes defended, it’s obvious he has the abilities the Tampa-2 requires. His size (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) may be a disadvantage, though it didn’t seem like it last year. He could be a breakout player for the Orange, even if it’s in a reserve role.

Christopher Fredricks, (Redshirt) Freshman

The Georgia product redshirted in 2015, but he’ll definitely see the field this fall and the Orange will take all the help they can get in the secondary. With similar size to Morgan, Fredricks has the stature to be plugged in quickly and perhaps pick up where he left off at Cedar Grove High School in Conley, Ga. There he was an apt tackler and defended receivers well — skills he’ll need right away as SU cycles in a long list of corners.

Carl Jones, Freshman

Typically, you’re trying to redshirt a true freshman defensive back, but that may not be an option for Jones or the Orange in 2016. Jones is the type of athlete Dino Babers staff will continue to recruit more of: quick, great hands, played both sides in high school (and played basketball as well). Like the other younger DBs on the roster, he has an ability to get his hands on the football. There’s a chance you see him on the field a bit in year one.

Safties

Antwan Cordy, Junior

Last year, Cordy was arguably the best returning defender on the entire team, and now he’s an essential part of this team handling the Tampa-2 transition well. Though he led the team in tackles for loss (12) and INTs (two), and was second in tackles with 68, his skill set will shift on a dime now. We know he can cover receivers, but he’ll need to do so consistently (and for full games) this fall. The speedy safety can play above his size (5-foot-8, 175 pounds). He’ll be an interesting subject to see how much the DBs have progressed in a year.

Kielan Whitner, Sophomore

Whitner was hot and cold for SU last year, but that won’t be an option in 2016 as he’s potentially thrown into the starting role. At times, he covered well, and at others, receivers got behind him too easily (and/or he was committing costly penalties deep down the field). He’ll be challenged for starting snaps, but he showed promise as a true frosh. His position battle is among the most heated this summer.

Chauncey Scissum, (Redshirt) Junior

Like Winfield, Scissum was also a victim of the offseason’s stabbing incident, but similar to his teammate, he returns healthy and ready to potentially start. As a sophomore, he started seven games in 2015, and displayed solid tackling ability in spurts. He’s currently listed as a free safety, though there’s potential to challenge Whitner at the strong safety spot as well. Either way, you’ll see plenty of the junior this year.

Rodney Williams, (Redshirt) Sophomore

Williams looked great in spring last year, and even started the first five games, but injuries and some struggles reduced his role over the course of the year. He’s coverage-focused and has his moments, but has yet to really put it together for consistent stretches. Williams has a chance to challenge Whitner to start again, but this does appear to be a solid four-safety rotation all-around, no matter who gets the official “starting” nod when the season begins.

Daivon Ellison, Sophomore

Ellison was a special-teamer last year, but his role should increase this fall. He’s listed as a strong safety, but depending on need, could potentially get shifted over to cornerback duties if needed (and it might be). He’s on the smaller side like Cordy, so that’s not to discount his abilities at safety at all. In limited action, he was able to record pass break-ups and even force a fumble (on a kickoff) vs. Pitt.

Joe Stanard, Senior

To this point, the walk-on Stanard has failed to see the field, but with the team short on veteran defensive backs and in need of bodies to shuffle in, this could be the year for him. Even if just on special teams, it would seem likely that you see Stanard here and there as he takes his first collegiate snaps.

Scoop Bradshaw, Freshman

Bradshaw’s close friendship with incoming QB Rex Culpepper doesn’t make him a “package-deal” add-on… far from it. The three-star Florida safety found himself all over the field at Plant High School, though he’ll obviously be channeling his wide skill set into downfield coverage at SU. He stands a chance to see the field this year, but obviously the preference is to redshirt if possible.

Devon Clarke, Freshman

While it took awhile, Clarke did eventually become a member of the Syracuse recruiting class this offseason, and just in time too, as the team looks to inject a lot of new life into a struggling secondary. Clarke brings good size to the safety position at 6-foot-2 and 186 pounds. With a potential year to redshirt and continuing growing into a college safety, Clarke’s one to keep an eye out for come 2017.

Evan Foster, Freshman

Like Clarke, Foster’s bigger (6 feet, 208 pounds), and is well situated to be a major contributor to the future of this defense. Never say never for all of these true freshman — Babers has indicated that the best players will start, regardless of class/experience. But with Foster, it’s likely we’re waiting until next year to see what the impressive arrival can do for the Orange.

TBD

As you know, there are two additional defensive backs (likely corners) are set to join the Orange as well, barring admission to the university all checks out. One-time North Carolina signee James Pierre is a pretty well-regarded addition and one that could potentially challenge for playing time as a true frosh. Michael Moore, a JUCO freshman from California’s Palomar College, would also figure to challenge for field time early as he brings two years of collegiate experience with him.

Hopefully the hold=ups end soon for both players and they’re able to join the team at camp.

***

This isn’t the most experienced bunch, but they’re not all that green either. Injuries led to a lot of young players getting time on the field in 2015, so there are a whole lot less wide eyes come the season opener than one would assume. Still, there’s much to be concerned about for a secondary whose outputs declined terribly over the last couple seasons. An emphasis on big plays over sound coverage left the Orange ranked 101st in pass defense despite allowing just 18 touchdowns through the air, and picking off 11 balls too. As long as this never happens again, however, I think we’ll take just about any outcome as SU transitions to a whole new scheme that should (eventually) alleviate much of the previous issues.

Remember, 2010? The coaches still do.

A very nice quote for the “will Alabama let complacency doom it” crowd, a yearly favorite talking point among the national guys who, for some reason, after 25 years still don’t understand Nick Saban.

Pruitt: It’s easy to sell Alabama

He said the Crimson Tide defense is searching for its own identity.

“Our kids are buying into the fact that we have not done anything,” Pruitt said. “I was here before when we had some success, won a championship in 2009, and the next year we couldn’t hardly get over ourselves. We have had a little bit better transition because we’ve experienced it before and understand the growing pains. We’ve got to get over ourselves. That’s over with.”

Also noted in the article, Jonathan Allen makes the point that if you rest on your laurels on this team, you will not start period. The coaches won’t let you and the guys hungry for your spot won’t allow it either.

Practice notes

Practice report: Tide dons full pads for first time

Freshman wide receiver Trevon Diggs worked exclusively with the safeties Monday, wearing a crimson No. 7 jersey. During yesterday’s open practice Diggs practiced with both the wide receivers and defensive backs.

During individual drills, Reuben Foster and Shaun Hamilton led the inside linebacker group. Rashaan Evans and Keith Holcombe were behind them, followed by Joshua McMillon and Keaton Anderson. Evans worked alongside Foster during yesterday’s entire open practice, while Hamilton was with Holcombe with what appeared to be the second-team defense.

For a fourth straight practice, the same five players made up what appears to be the first-team offensive line. From left to right: Cam Robinson, Lester Cotton, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman and Jonah Williams.

It’s looking more and more like the right side of the line is coming into shape while Shank serves his double-secret probation. He’s still not out of the doghouse, though he is practicing. The bigger question here is the backups, with Womack and Warmack ready to also fill in on the right side, will Taylor get a chance to see the field in 2016?

The left side? That’s just sexy as hell. And, Diggs, who has athletic potential all over the field, is looking to earn p/t at safety this season after the exodus of Burgess-Becker, the suspension of Tony Brown (and shuffling of Minkah Fitzpatrick,) the uncertainty of Hootie Jones etc. Alabama’s last two years of loading up on DBs is going to be tested this season out of necessity.

Alabama Crimson Tide OC Lane Kiffin: Running back depth is a big challenge Bo Scarbrough

“I would think it would be more of a shared role,” Kiffin said.

“Last year was very unique, having a guy carry the ball 90 times in a seven-day span. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard of that before. That was a very special player. I don’t know that anybody could do that. That’s because of his build, but (also) the way that Derrick worked every day at practice. “He’s a story for years and years and years for these guys to continue to tell and pass down, because that guy — like the year before with Amari (Cooper) — those were our best players each year, but those were our hardest workers.”

As we speculated earlier this month, given the different talents of the different RBs in Alabama’s backfield, this season is going to see much more of a platoon system rather than just riding one horse. And, that suits me just fine. Bo and Damien are very different players. Gore is little nicked up at the moment, and that opens the door for my bae BJ Emmons to earn some snaps, as well as his entering classmate, Joshua Jacobs. The unit grouping is as versatile as you’ll see in college football.

Okay, this I buy

Two potential trap games for the Crimson Tide in 2016 :: Belk Sports

The most dangerous trap game for Alabama is the home game against Texas A&M on October 22. This game will be the 8th straight game for Alabama without an off week. This is on the same spot on the schedule as the Tennessee game last year when it was obvious Alabama was running on fumes and barely escaped disaster against the Big Orange Rifle Brigade with a late fourth quarter touchdown to pull off a 19-14 victory. The Tide plays three straight SEC games before the College Station Canines. Alabama plays Kentucky at home then very tough road games at Arkansas and a possible top ten match up against Tennessee on the road. How much gas will Alabama have left in the tank for the Aggies?

This game actually does concern me a bit for the reasons listed above: the 8th straight game, after b2b roadies against Arkansas & Tennessee, against a team with tremendous talent, a much improved defense, AND looking forward to a bye week and the showdown versus LSU? That’s nightmare fuel, especially since I firmly believe Sumlin is coaching for his job this season.

A naysayer

5 reasons Alabama shouldn’t be favored to win the SEC in 2016 | FOX Sports

The center is the anchor of the offensive line and generally the guy who helps audible blocking schemes, meaning his role is crucial to any team, especially one with a new QB. It’s also why, on at least some level, even Saban seems concerned. Prior to his dust-up over Robinson, Saban spoke to the SEC Network on the importance of the position, saying: “The center is the most critical position on the front, regardless of who the QB is.”

I’d be more worried about center if we didn’t know that, since practically the day after the Clemson game, the Alabama staff hadn’t moved Pierschbacher to the spot. He’s a smart, athletic, and just nasty kid. I truly think Alabama is going to be set at center. Now, identifying a quarterback to let him develop rapport with may be the biggest issue early there.

A believer

Alabama Crimson Tide will repeat and other 2016 season predictions

1. Alabama will win the national championship. Again. Alabama’s season will look a lot like the last one — the Crimson Tide will struggle at quarterback early, might even lose to Ole Miss again, and then they’ll figure it out and start rolling. By the end of the regular season, Alabama’s running game will be punishing people and its defense will be stuffing everyone. Alabama coach Nick Saban will win his fifth national title in 10 years in Tuscaloosa and his sixth overall (he won one at LSU), which will tie him with legendary Tide coach Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most in major college football history.

Mark Schlabach has been around enough to give Saban and the recruiting the benefit of the doubt. And, I think he’s right too — Alabama’s offense is going to take some time to find itself this season…again. And, yes, a loss to Ole Miss is very possible…again.…and I will hang myself from the I-55 bridge. But, this team has no pressure on it this year: It is being written off or doubted already, and that makes this a dangerous Crimson Tide team.

Charlot, Baldwin find a new home — and man, is it shitty

Kansas scoops up its second Alabama transfer of the week | FOX Sports

Charles Baldwin, ranked by some recruiting sites as the top junior college O-lineman in the 2016 signing class, said he was going to Kansas as well. Alabama had dismissed the 6-foot-5, 315-pound former five-star prospect in May for a “violation of team rules.” Both players will have to sit out the 2016 season at KU.

Daylon Charlot announced his transfer to KU on Sunday. On Monday, dismissed Charles Baldwin announced he’d join him in Lawrence.

Okay, this is plainly Samyra.

Maurice Smith, parents speak out about ongoing battle with Alabama | AL.com

It essentially started with an email last November. Working around football, Smith’s mother has seen players at various schools become scholarship limit casualties and have their scholarships pulled. She says she was concerned that could happen to Maurice, who had gone from the favorite to win the Tide’s nickel back job entering fall camp last year to playing strictly on special teams. So she sent an email to Saban. In it, she expressed an interest in talking either in person or on the phone to talk about post-graduation plans since Maurice was originally on pace to graduate in May.

Helicopter momma, dirty dealings, and weaponized butthurt from the media. WHEE!

The best thing on satellite camps you’ll read

Reviewing the wild, controversial summer of satellite camps

“These trainers give the implication, ‘Well, you’re not getting looked at, so let’s take you to this Michigan satellite camp or this Oklahoma State or OU satellite camp, and I’m going to get you recruited by all the big-time schools,'” Sexton said. “This trainer is going to tell them ‘Hey, you’re good enough to play at Michigan or OU,’ so he can continue to put his hand in their pocket. Players are going to come up with that money any which way they can because this guy is telling them the things they want to hear. I had a trainer tell one of my kids, ‘We need to go to this Michigan camp because it’s going to get you the looks you need.’ I’ve already got his parents coming back to us asking, ‘This guy got our foot in the door at this Michigan, so why didn’t an offer materialize?'”

One of the finest pros and cons against the camps I’ve ever read. Lots of great quotes, NCAA considerations, and the fact this is, and even coaches now openly admit, about recruiting.

Awwww, Sir Charles and Nickie Lou

Auburn alum Charles Barkley praises Nick Saban for giving Alabama players second chances – SBNation.com

Saban compared his policy to life as a parent.

“When it comes to football players, we’re trying to change their behavior. As people, we’re trying to change their behavior and make them better. I think everyone can understand if they ever have children of their own, that your children sometimes disappoint you. They do things that you wish that they didn’t do, that embarrass you, but we don’t throw them out of the house. We try to come up with ways that we can change their behavior.

“So that’s where I always focus on the guy. Where a lot of people see discipline as punishment, and they want punitive action, kick the guy off the team, how does that change his behavior? Or suspend him for a bunch of games. Well, he did something in March and now we’re going to suspend him for games in September? I mean, where, there are a lot of things you can do in between to help a guy understand or change his behavior. And I’ve had a lot more success with helping guys than I have by doing that than I have just by being punitive.

“Right now, what people in the media think is ‘Oh, you just don’t want to suspend him because he’s a good player. Well, that’s not true. I do that with every player on our team. And sometimes when guys do things and it happens over and over and over, then maybe you have to take playing away from them. And that’s something that’s meaningful to them and that’s the only thing that will change their behavior. But I don’t think that’s always the first step. Most of our players respond very well to it and appreciate it.”

The complete video is on the mothership and you should watch it. Above is just the transcript RE: discipline.

—

Have a great day, and have you hated Tennessee today?

The Associated Press released their Top 100 football programs in the 80 years that they’ve been ranking said programs. The California Golden Bears came in at #45, which is somewhat mediocre. Here’s the methodology used to assemble the rankings:

To determine the all-time Top 25, the AP formula counted poll appearances (one point) to mark consistency, No. 1 rankings (two points) to acknowledge elite programs and gave a bonus for AP championships (10 points).

The Golden Bears earned 199 of these points, compared to 1,112 by the #1 team (who doesn’t need to be named here because Go Bears, duh). Garnering less than 18% of their points feels even more underwhelming than that 45th ranking.

Here’s the Pac-12 breakdown:

The bad news gets worse with Cal ranking in the lower half of the conference…

Unfortunately, the AP started ranking teams a full decade after The Wonder Teams of Andy Smith (and four of our five national championships) or Cal would have been likely been ranked a tad higher.

Hopefully time will tell that August 9, 2016 was a landmark day for Purdue sports.

By now we all know the news. Purdue surprised seemingly everyone in naming Georgia Tech athletic direct Mike Bobinski as Morgan Burke’s replacement. For the first time in almost a quarter century Purdue has a new AD, and it comes at a critical time for the schools’ athletic department. Yes, Burke has done some wonderful things with academics being a top priority. I don’t want to ever discount the performance of our students in the classroom because their Purdue degree is critical. Unfortunately, Burke is leaving under a dark cloud of his own making:

The incoming athletic director must confront a downturn in attendance that prompted Purdue to lower its projected football revenues by $12.7 million over the next decade in that report.

Yes, Burke has accomplished a minor miracle. He has taken a power 5 football program in the Big Ten, with all of that TV money coming in, and somehow has conjured up a $12.7 million shortfall. The thing he always touted as his best accomplishment, financials and being self-sustaining, will end up being a net negative because of where the football program is as he is leaving.

That is what Bobinski is coming in to face. At the press conference he said and did all the right things. If you want to view the whole thing you can right here through Purdue’s facebook page. Here are the bits and pieces that stood out:

“First and foremost, I have encountered countless Purdue people with pride and that care so deeply. Gives you a chance to be successful.”

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) August 9, 2016

“there are no pretenders in the Big Ten and at the power five level. You have to have an all-in commitment.”

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) August 9, 2016

“We need everybody with us. I look forward to earning the fan’s trust.”

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) August 9, 2016

“Purdue is philosophically a fit for me. The focus on integrity & academic success and the grounded nature of this place resonates with me.”

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) August 9, 2016

“This program is positioned in the starting blocks to really take off in the years ahead.”

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) August 9, 2016

“we’re never going to match Ohio State in spending, but we must invest to have our sports to be successful at a high level.”

— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) August 9, 2016

Again, it was your typical press conference fare. That’s what happens in situations like this. The new guy will be praised, his predecessor will be praised, and everyone currently in the regime will be praised. When asked about Darrell Hazell Bobinski said all the right things and that he was looking forward to working with him, but he ended with the ominous, “In the end, my job as an AD is to evaluate programs”.

And really, that is where we will first judge him. He has a background as a fundraiser and primarily a basketball AD. He made some big moves at Xavier with hiring Thad Matta and then Josh Pastner at Georgia Tech. he hasn’t hired a football coach since Akron, however. He was only at Georgia Tech for 3 years, but they did play in the Orange Bowl (and win it) in 2014. We just don’t know how he handles football and won’t until this season. We cannot definitively say that Darrell Hazell is coaching for his job, but if the 2016 season is another disappointing one Bobinski will be under the microscope early.

As for what Georgia Tech fans thought, here is what their blog From the Rumble Seat said this morning:

After practice on Monday, head coach Paul Johnson expressed his displeasure with the state of the team’s facilities, his staff’s salaries, and other issues as Georgia Tech aims to keep up its competition in major college football’s “arms race” — refuting claims made by Bobinski in his Saturday press conference that there had been no complaints or requests regarding those issues.

That gives me a slight pause, as it sounds a little too much like the old Joe Tiller vs. Morgan Burke feuds. The Big Ten financials do allow for more flexibility there, however, and as I said, Georgia Tech did just win an Orange Bowl two years ago.

Ultimately we want results though. Bobinski needs to do the following to be liked by Purdue fans:

• Improve the sorry state of football, which will overcome pretty much all the financial setbacks caused here at the end by Burke.
• Win some championships, especially since Purdue is still behind the University of Chicago in all-time Big Ten titles.
• Raise the necessary money to improve Ross-Ade and complete the football master plan.

I do agree with him. For the most part, Purdue is in a good place for most of its sports. Other than football, the facilities are in great shape. Basketball is at a very good point, especially if he is a known basketball guy that can improve things even more. Baseball and softball have new coaches and sparking new digs. Diving and golf are national powers.

It comes down to football though. For all the good Burke has done he is reviled because of the football mess we are in. If Bobinski can clean that up and we’re in Pasadena within 5-10 years he will establish a lot of good will. We’ll see how it goes because all we can do right now is wait. Because Hazell is entering such an important season for him we may not even see results for a year yet. Purdue very well could have a new football coach at this time next year, and it would be one named by Bobinski.

And we have all seen and heard the same song and dance. We have heard all the praises about being self-sustaining and how 15 straight semester with the athletic department having above a 3.0 GPA. those are great accomplishments, but we also want to win. We want Big Ten titles, major bowls, and Final Fours. We have had a taste of it when tiller took us to Pasadena and when the Baby Boilers made it seem like a Final Four was inevitable. That taste made us only want it more as fans, and I have written far too much about the disappointments over time. Ultimately, we want to be Purdue plus winning. We’re already ridiculously proud of our school, but we want to shed the stigma of “pulling a Purdue” and being the laughingstock of Big Ten football.

Overall, I get the impression this is a good hire. Purdue needs his fundraising background right now. it has to find a way to improve its football facilities in order to improve the football product on the field and get it back up to revenue generating capacity.  It is my hope that he is a progressive AD that tries to run the department like it is 2016 and not 1996 because we’re in an arms race whether we want to be or not.

We will hopefully have more tonight, as we’re expecting to have an all-AD podcast with a special guest from From the Rumble Seat, so stay tuned.

Yesterday we had ALL THE CONTENT for your reading pleasure! Wildcat00 started the content train by introducing you to Wildcat Olympian: Balazs Baji. Gracey followed by previewing the Men’s Basketball trip to Europe which was supposed to start yesterday, but due a flight cancellation in Atlanta, will start today.

Of course we can’t forget about The Countdown which started with Terrance Richards, and day 25, and was followed by the favorite to start in the backfield, number 24: Charles Jones.

With the season right around the corner, (seriously guys we only have three Saturdays left without college football) K-State’s fan appreciation day will begin this Saturday at 5pm. (Capital Journal, staff reports)

Think back to last year. A QB battle took place and it stared Jessie Ertz, Alex Delton, and Joe Hubener. Fast forward a year, and because of all the injuries last season the same cast of characters are back to compete again for the QB1 position. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle)

Jesse Ertz might be the player who has the most to prove, especially after going down with a season ending knee injury following the first snap of the season. (Derek Smith, Junction City Daily Union)

In expansion news, several LGBT groups sent a letter to Big 12 officials urging the conference not to admit BYU due to their views on LGBT individuals. Coincidentally, (or not depending on your views of the world) soon after the news of the letter broke Houston tweeted the following:

These items are just two more twists in the tale of Big 12 expansion.(Jake Trotter ESPN.com)

Finally, with all the talk of Big 12 expansion comes the talk of Big 12 contraction, so of course speculation is coming out about how teams would fare in other conferences. This week it’s Oklahoma and how they’d fare in the SEC. (Jake Trotter, ESPN.com)

Finally, it’s time for the discussion question of the day:

I heard an interesting theory yesterday regarding expansion. The theory is as follows:

The Big 12 approaches ESPN, and Fox in March/April about creating a conference network and is told there isn’t a market for new conference network. Last month, the ACC announces they are creating a new conference network. This pisses off the Big 12 teams and officials and they start expansion talks to try and turn up the heat on Fox and ESPN because the networks lied to them about the conference networks. By using the escalators built into the contracts the Big 12 thinks they can get more money from the networks this way since they wouldn’t help with the conference network.

With all that said here is the question for discussion: What is the Big 12’s end game, and are they willing to go through with inviting sub-par football teams to simply force ESPN, and Fox to pay the conference more money?