Athlon Sports Radio: 01-11-08

Each week Athlon Sports puts on a college sports talk show here in Nashville. (104.5 FM The Zone, 10-11 am CT).

Athlon Sports Senior Editor Mitch Light and myself sat down this week and talked college sports.

The BCS National Championship game, the Spread-Option offense and its future, SEC Hoops all highlight this week's edition of Athlon Sports Radio.

The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer's Ken Tysiac join us to talk ACC basketball.

You can listen to Athlon Sports Radio every week via podcast at AthlonSports.com/Radio.

We talk some recruiting to wrap up the show each week.

Athlon Sports Radio

Interview with Kirk Herbstreit

I had a chance to sit down with ESPN college football guru Kirk Herbstreit on Wednesday and he did not disappoint. The Gameday personality gave me all of his BCS bowl picks, his Heisman Trophy pick and much more on an Athlon Sports Radio Exclusive Bowl preview.

Friend and colleague, Athlon Sports Senior Editor Mitch Light joined us as we looked back over the 2007 season and looked forward to all the great bowl match-ups.

You can catch Athlon Sports Radio every week at AthlonSports.com, listed in the Audio section with all of the other podcasts.

Yours truly, Mitch Light and Kirk Herbstreit...

Athlon Sports Radio Exclusive Bowl Preview

Hanging out with my alma mater's cheerleaders. Ah, I trained him well.

This Week's Podcast

Each week The Visitor, yours truly, does four podcasts for his current employer Athlon Sports. The National Recruiting Blitz will be posted permanently on this here front page. I am joined by old friends from throughout the Rivals.com network to bring you the latest and hottest news in the world of recruiting.

This week I am joined by Tim O'Halloran of EdgyTim.com to break down the hot streak the Illinois Fighting Illini are on. Alabama, Georgia and Virginia are also discussed.

The other three can be found in the Audio Catalog on AthlonSports.com

The College Fantasy Red Zone is a weekly trip through the NCAA Fantasy landscape. We give you sleeper picks, updates on every BCS game, injury reports and start-or-sit discussions.

The NFL Fantasy Scouting Report is look around the world of NFL fantasy football. Athlon Sports' own Kelly and Dan Grogan join me every week to give you free agent pick-ups, the "Can't Miss-High Risk" segment and always injury reports and start/sit discussions.

Inside The Paint is Athlon Sports brief trip around the nation within the world of College Hoops. Senior editor Mitch Light joins me each week to talk NCAA hoops.

Introductions by Eric Cartman

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the creators of South Park. They are also Colorado graduates. Well, I am not sure if they actually graduated but they certainly went to school there. Well, at least they enrolled, making it to class is a different story.

But I digress. This is why college football is single greatest sport on the planet. As rabid women get up at the crack of dawn to go shopping on Friday after Thanksgiving, I wake up in a turkeyed haze and implant myself firmly on the couch. As a South Park fan myself, it was a pleasure to see Eric Cartman introduce the Colorado starting line-ups...



But that was not enough for the comical geniuses...genii...you know what I mean...

Giving Him the Business: 15 yard penalty?

The 'business' comes with a heavy price: 15 yards penalty for 'giving it' to people. I would like to read the officials' handbook to see where exactly 'giving the business' is listed.

The 757

No, I am not writing about planes. The area code '757' might be the most talent producing area code in the United States. Yes, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles all may produce more talent overall but all have more than 1 area code.

The 757 consists of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth and
Williamsburg. From now on these towns will be known as one of three things: The 757, Hampton Roads or the Tidewater area. I make my case that The 757 is most talent producing area code in US history.

All-time team:
QB: Aaron Brooks - Newport News (clearly Mike Vick is the most talented QB but he killed dogs so he doesn't make my list) - NFL free agent
RB: Percy Harvin - Va Beach - Florida Gators
WR: Plaxico Burress - Norfolk - New York Giants
WR: Ronald Curry - Hampton - Oakland Raiders (was a stellar QB in high school)
WR: Al Toon - Newport News - New York Jets
TE: Ben Watson - Norfolk - New England Patriots
OL: Dwight Stephenson - Hampton - NFL Hall of Famer

DL: Dwight White - Hampton - member of Steel Curtain defense
DL: Bruce Smith - Va Beach - maybe greatest DE of all time?
DL: Henry Jordan - Newport News - NFL Hall of Famer
LB: Lawrence Taylor - Williamsburg - maybe greatest LB of all time?
LB: Xavier Adibi - Hampton - Virginia Tech
LB: Chris Hanburger - Hampton - Washington Redskins
DB: Shawn Springs - Williamsburg - Washington Redskins
DB: Dre Bly - Chesapeake - Denver Broncos
DB: Jimmy Williams - Hampton - Atlanta Falcons
DB: DeAngelo Hall - Chesapeake - Atlanta Falcons
DB: Antoine Beathea - Newport News - Indianapolis Colts

KR/PR: Allen Iverson - Hampton - Denver Nuggets
K: Mike Husted - Hampton - Former Tampa Bay Buc
Coach: Mike Tomlin - Newport News - Pittsburgh Steelers

BUT WAIT!!! There is a lot more.

11 of the Rivals top-30 state of VA prospects in 2008 are from THE 757, including the top player in the state E.J. Manuel. Manuel is committed to Florida St. Also, the top player in the state for 2007, Tyrod Taylor is making his early marks in Blacksburg as we speak. Don't look now, but Hampton has a 2009 QB by the name of Tajh Boyd who will be highly sought after young prospect.

How about a celebrity hoops game? Featuring: Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, Joe Smith, JR Reid and Tennessee Vol Duke Crews and good ole Lefty Driesell coachin 'em up. All from Tidewater area.

Fancy baseball instead? No problem. Softball game featuring: David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Michael Cuddyer. All from Tidewater.

During halftime of the celebrity hoops game we will have live performances by: Ella Fitgerald, Tonedef, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Robert Cray, The Neptunes, the Wooten Brothers and Wayne freakin Newton! Yes, all from Tidewater.

Broadcasting for THE 757 classic will be none other than Wanda Sykes, Mark Hamill and Danny Tanner. I know what you are thinking. Bob Saget is from this planet? Yup, Virginia.

Entertainment will be provided court side with the dynamic duo of Nikki Nova, who you will remember from "Night Calls:411" on the Playboy channel, and the open-minded, free-thinking Pat Robertson from his program "The 700 Club."

Nova has since had some trouble with farm animals. Don't worry, its clean. Pat disapproved.



Both from THE 757.

If that was not enough proof. Everyone will be dressed from head-to-toe in Perry Ellis wear. Also from Hampton Roads.

Day 5 of the Michigan coaching search:

Candidate No. 5: Mike Trgovac (DC with Carolina Panthers, 48-41)

Experience:
Carolina Panthers - Defensive Coord (2002-present)
Washington Redskins - Asst Coach (2000-2001)
Green Bay Packers - Asst Coach (1999)
Philadelphia Eagles - Asst Coach (1995-1998)
Notre Dame - Asst Coach (1992-1994)
Colorado St - Asst Coach (1990-1991)
Navy - Asst Coach (1989)
Ball St - Asst Coach (1986-1988)
Michigan - Grad. Asst (1984-1985)

Positives: This seems to be a theme, he is a Michigan guy. He started for Bo for three seasons and was a GA for him after graduating. This guy has plenty of experience at all different levels (except Head Coach). Thought of as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL, Trgovac helped lead his Panthers to a Super Bowl in 2004 with one of the nastiest defenses in the NFL.

Negatives: Despite having a TON of experience at many different levels he has never been a head coach at the level of a school like Michigan. Being in the NFL certainly exposes him to the pressures of the game but he has been away from the college game for a long time. He does not have any solid recruiting ties to the state of Michigan or any where else for that matter. The recruiting learning curve would also be steeper due to the fact that he has never been the captain of a ship, especially one as famed as the SS Wolverine.

Probability: 35%
Visitor Hire Rating:

Next Week: All the stupid candidates that will never get hired (Cam..*cough*..Cameron)

Day 4 of the Michigan Coaching Search

Candidate No. 4: Brian Kelly (144-53-2 as NCAA head coach)

Experience:
Cincinnati - Head Coach (2007-Present)
Central Michigan - Head Coach (2004-2006)
Grand Valley State - Head Coach (1987-2003)

Positives: He is a winner. Kelly has won two national titles at Grand Valley State and a MAC title at Central Michigan. He has also turned Cincinnati into a Big East contender. He also clearly has ties to the state of Michigan. He knows the state and has relationships with the high school coaching staffs. Kelly is considered a "up-and-comer" in the coaching ranks these days with his offensive innovations.

Negatives: Is this a destination job for Kelly or is he looking for the next step? That means the NFL. Michigan is NOT a stepping stone job, PERIOD. Plus, the last time Bill Martin went after an up-and-comer (Tommy...*cough*...Amaker) it did not play out quite the way he wanted. Kelly is a risky choice.

Probability: 45%
Visitor Hire Rating:

Fri: candidate No. 5 Mike Trgovac

Day 3 of the Michigan Coaching Search:

Candidate No. 3: Ron English (20-5 as defensive coord. at Michigan)

Experience:
Michigan - Defensive Coord. (2004-Present)
Seattle Seahawks - Secondary Coach (2003)
Arizona St - Secondary Coach (1998-2002)
San Diego St - Secondary Coach (1996-1997)
Northern Arizona - OLB Coach (1995)

Positives:He is a current member of the staff. This is a huge factor when considering the current class of recruits. Most kids commit to the coach that is recruiting them, or at least have a stronger relationship with them than the head coach. If English is hired it almost guarantees that the recruits stay committed. English is not a bad coach either. He was the DB's coach in his first two seasons and was elevated to DC prior to last season. It paid off. Michigan's defense finished #1 against the run, 4th in sacks, 7th in 3rd-down defense, 10th in total defense and 15th in scoring defense. These are all national rankings. He is a high-energy guy that is a solid recruiter also.

Negatives:His lack of head coaching experience at the high D-1 level will hurt his case. And he is still learning as a play caller and in-game adjuster. His defenses were beat pretty bad in a four game stretch spanning the final two games of last season (OSU/USC) and the first two of this season (App St/Ore). Now to his credit, all of those offenses are very high powered, with the exception of Appy St of course. No one has stopped Dennis Dixon this season and no one slowed Troy Smith last.

Probability: 60%
Visitor Hire Rating:

Thu: Candidate No. 4: Brian Kelly
Fri: Candidate No. 5: Mike Trgovac

Day 2 of the Michigan Coaching Search:

Candidate No 2. Jim Harbaugh - Head Coach @ Stanford

Experience:
Stanford - Head Coach (2007-present)
U of San Diego - Head coach (2004-2006)
Oakland Raiders - QB Coach (2002-2003)

Positives: He is a Michigan guy. There are not many people out there that bleed Maize and Blue more than Harbaugh. The former Michigan QB, also has experience at a BCS school, albeit very limited. However, within that limited time, Harbaugh has made a huge impact with the biggest upset in Pac-10 history beating USC earlier this season. That team plays with dramatically more emotion and intensity. He also coached in a Super Bowl with the Raiders. The Visitor thinks he is the clearly the best option.

Negatives: He is a bit boisterous. He opened his yapper and got into a family feud with Michigan and Lloyd Carr. He also took a poke at Petey The Poodle at USC. I suppose he backed that one up. The comments on Michigan academics (who better to comment on them than a former player by the way?) drew a lot of resentment from Mich. AD Bill Martin and HC Lloyd Carr. He may have burnt that bridge. Its unfortunate too, because he would be the best man for the job.

Probability: 15%
Visitor hire rating:

WED: candidate No. 3 Ron English
THU: candidate No. 4 Brian Kelly
FRI: candidate No. 5 Mike Trgovac

You Can't Spell Lloyd Carr Without 2 L's...

Or in the 2007 version: 4 L's. Lloyd Carr announced Monday that he would be stepping down as the head coach of Michigan. This immediately raises the question of who will take his place. The Visitor has complied his list for all the Michigan folks out there. Today, we start with "The Hat."

1. Les Miles - head coach LSU

Experience:
LSU - Head Coach (2005-Present)
Okie St - Head Coach (2001-2004)
Dallas Cowboys - Asst coach (1998-2000)
Okie St - Asst coach (1995-1997)
Michigan - Asst coach (1987-1994)
Colorado - Asst coach (1982-1986)

Positives: Les Miles is logically the choice of the alumi base in Ann Arbor. He played at Michigan, he coached under Bo Schembechler and has experience as a head coach in big time NCAA football. He wants to get back to the Big Blue. He also had a strong record against Stoops and Oklahoma in the Bedlum Series.

Negatives: The timing is terrible. Miles is coaching his own team right now that sits at #1 in the polls. If you wait to hire him until after the season you leave a solid recruiting class sitting around wondering what will happen. Not a good thing. He is also a bit of a basket case, calling timeouts when you don't need to (see Tenn game 2005). His Freudian slips surrounding Alabama, the Pac-10 conference, and the Louisiana city of Monroe have not made him any friends. Snoop Dogg, a USC Trojan fan, quickly slayed the Miles dragon with his pleasant and classy response. I must issue a STRONG warning, however, as this audio file contains language not suitable for everyone. Its amazing that the cerebral ramblings of a rapper still won the verbal sparring match with Mr. Miles.

Probability: 80%
Visitor hire rating:

Godzilla or Les Miles??

Hawaii QB's...

I realize this is not technically recruiting but Hawaii may need to pick up its QB recruiting efforts after Colt Brennan actually died on the field Saturday night agsint Fresno St...