Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Mike Leach fired as Tech coach

According to an Associated Press report Mike Leach has been fired by Texas Tech University for apparently mistreating Adam James who had a "mild" concussion.

Tech on Monday suspended Leach based on complaints that he mishandled a concussion suffered by James, son of ESPN college football analyst Craig James.

After James suffered the concussion, Leach on Dec. 17 ordered the player to stand in a dark shed at a Tech practice facility. Two days later, Leach had James stand in a dark room for three hours.

But Leach’s lawyer, Ted Liggett, has countered that Leach simply was trying to protect James by placing him somewhere that was darker and cooler than the practice facility. To view the "shed" click here.

Liggett said Texas Tech general counsel Pat Campbell approached him outside the courtroom and told him that win, lose or draw in the hearing, Leach was out effective immediately.

Liggett told the judge there was no need for the hearing on Leach's request that he be reinstated to coach the Alamo Bowl. Texas Tech plays Michigan State on Saturday in San Antonio.

The firing comes days before Leach was to receive $800,000 bonus for being their coach. What a coincidence?

It has been noted often that Leach was not in the best of best with the school's president and athletic director and it appears to me they were waiting for anything to dismiss Leach because of their ongoing feud's.

Good luck Texas Tech because Mike Leach has done more for that program then Adam James, Craig James, and Gerald Myers will ever do.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Test

This is a test blog for I Touch. Please ignore.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

2009 was a year to remember for Guthrie

As I have done in recent past I have compiled some of the top memories of the 2009 season. If you missed my complete story on Guthrie Sports Page you can click here to read it.

Here are my top memories in 2009 involving Guthrie High School athletics:
1. Passing of Jared Pearce
2. Boys Basketball State Championship
3. Track and Field State Championship
4. Cross Country State Championship
5. Donte' Foster's senior year
6. Donte' Foster's ESPN Shot
7. Kentrell Brothers first BlueJay to record 1,000 yards receiving in a season
8. Keaton Callins senior year
9. Clay Tarter and Gary Boxley and their success with the running programs
10. All the student athlete's that sign letters of intent to play college athletics

Please feel free to leave you thoughts, comments, and your Top 10 by commenting below.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Stoops "no win" against Stanford

I read Berry Tramel's column about Bob Stoops and the 2009 Sun Bowl and could not agree more with the columnist. This is a no win situation for Stoops.

A win is not going to hush the critics with a victory over Stanford in a non-BCS game. The Sooners have lost five straight BCS games (three national championship games) and people will continue to reflect on that.

However, a loss to Stanford and the dialogue of what we have heard and read over the past few seasons with Stoops and the Sooners in bowl games will continue.

The last bowl win for the Sooners was the 2005 Holiday Bowl win over Oregon and the last BCS win was in the 2003 Rose.

Overall, Stoops is 4-6 in bowl games (2-5 in the BCS) as the Sooners coach, but a 5-6 record will not silence the critics, but a 4-7 record puts more gasoline on the fire. You see a no win situation.

One more thought: When Wade Phillips is fired as the Dallas Cowboys coach at the end of the NFL season can we save the Stoops talk to Dallas? It takes up too much space in papers and too much time on radio air waves. Its not going to happen and I hope it does not happen for the same reason I typed in the previous sentence.

01/08/09 BCS Championship L Florida 24, Oklahoma 14
01/02/08 Fiesta Bowl L West Virginia 48, Oklahoma 28
01/01/07 Fiesta Bowl L Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42 (OT)
12/29/05 Holiday Bowl W Oklahoma 17, Oregon 14
01/04/05 Orange Bowl L USC 55, Oklahoma 19
01/01/04 Sugar Bowl L LSU 21, Oklahoma 14
01/01/03 Rose Bowl W Oklahoma 34, Washington State 14
01/01/02 Cotton Bowl W Oklahoma 10, Arkansas 3
01/03/01 Orange Bowl W Oklahoma 13, Florida State 2
12/31/99 Independence Bowl L Ole Miss 27, Oklahoma 25

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Is Ford built for Ostate

Its good to be the men's basketball coach at Oklahoma State. The Tulsa World released some of the highlights of the contract.

I really like the clause about another school having to pay OSU in 30 days of hiring him because I believe Travis Ford will not be at Ostate for a long period of time. Maybe 4-6 years and if so that will be a good thing because Ford has won a lot of games some big games for the Cowboy program. If Ostate can keep him longer then the 4-6 years then kudos to them.
I really like the way Travis gets after it and the style of basketball he brings, although, I think he can slow down a touch on his temper and the way he handles officials, and I think he will as he learns the ropes on this high level.

Attendance may be another factor for Ford leaving Payne County someday.

In addition to the $20.375 million that Ford could earn in base salary and talent/personal services compensation, OSU also will contribute $400,000 annually to an employee retirement program for the coach.

The contract stipulates that if Ford terminates the contractual agreement without cause, he — or his new employer — must pay OSU $3 million within 30 days.

Ford also agreed that he will not personally — or indirectly through any authorized agent or representative — inquire into, seek, negotiate for, or accept other full-time or part-time employment of any nature without first obtaining written permission from the athletic director and university president. Permission will not be "unreasonably withheld," according to the contract.

Ford's contractual perks include a fully insured, dealer-provided automobile, initiation fees and membership at Karsten Creek Golf Club, up to 30 tickets per home basketball game, a corporate suite at Gallagher-Iba Arena for regular-season home basketball games and four tickets per home football game.

Eyes of Texas are tearing up

Some University of Texas faculty question whether football coach Mack Brown is worth $5 million annually when the school faces tough budget choices.

University system regents last week decided Brown deserved more money, raising his annual pay from $3 million.

A resolution approved Monday, in an informal vote during a UT Faculty Council meeting, said the $5 million deal was "unseemly and inappropriate."

Do remember this, the University of Texas athletics earned more money in marketing then any other school with 80 million plus in 2008. Its safe to say that Mack Brown is responsible for some of that income into the university.

Here is another scenario in the pay raise that the faculty need to realize and go gripe somewhere else. Brown's salary is paid with money raised by athletic department revenues.

Hello? Makes sense to me. Does it to you?

I understand academics over athletics and am surronded by educators so save those comments and emails.

Monday, December 14, 2009

12 Jays earn 5A-2 All District honors

Head Coach Rafe Watkins announced 12 members of the 2009 Guthrie Football program landed on the 5A-2 All District teams at the Guthrie Football Banquet on Sunday (December 13th).

In total four Jays made the first team, four made the second team, and four named honorable mention.

Headlining the list is linebacker Jaden Chappell, who just missed out as the Defensive Most Valuable Player. Chappell finished the season with 145 tackles to rank him fifth in Class 5A. Chappell also finished with two sacks, two interceptions, and three touchdowns in his senior campaign.

Dustin Bowman was an unanimous decision at center and only BlueJay offensive player to make the first team list for the 5A-2 team. The two-year starter was perhaps the smallest center, but opposing coaches talked about his toughness and was an easy decision.

Dustin Bohanan was selected as a first team defensive back for his defensive work. Bohanan was crucial for the Jays in the return game, including two big returns in the playoffs that either scored or set up a score.

Defensive lineman Mikey Johns made the first team and Coach Watkins openly admits that Johns is the hardest player he has ever coached at Guthrie High School and the results have shown for the under sized linemen.

Hank Hudson and Zach Olsen each were named second team wide receivers, Devin Williams was named to the second team defensive back field, and Martell Oates was second team on the defensive line.

Brady Blanchard, Ricky Ware, Blaine Smedley, and Corbin Crockett were named honorable mention.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

BlueJay Wrestling preparing for season

The BlueJay Wrestling team hits the mat for the first time for the 2009-2010 season when they host Perkins, December 10th, inside the Guthrie High School gymnasium.


The Junior High starts at 6:00 and the high school will immediately follow them with a scheduled start time of 7:00.

Guthrie won the dual a year ago 59-10 over the Demons. This season Guthrie enters ranked 14th in the tournament rankings by the coaches.




The Perkins dual is just one of four home matches for the Jays. The next home dual is not slated until January 21st.



Guthrie will quickly turn around for the Putnam City Tournament, Dec. 11 and 12, that the Jays won a season ago. The tournament win was the first for a Guthrie team since 1982 when they won the Carl Albert Tournament.



Guthrie will rely on senior Kolt Rinehart, who is a two-time state qualifier, and is set for the 125 division.



Sophomore Landry Chappell along with David Moody and Dennis Murphy will have to help fill the void of Ryan Bilyeu and John Kane from last years team.



Justin Ball, Cole Minter, Timothy O'Connor, Jared Bell, Austin O'Connor, Camden Helm, Dillion Marshall, Ryan Kitch, Ryan Medina, Bryan Dutton, Jeff Russell, Devin Bilyeu, Ryan Smith, David Bryant, Michael Conner, Tanner Goddard, John Davidson, and Zach Brown fill out the roster for Jays head coach Jack O'Connor.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bye Bye Guthrie

As I wrote a few weeks ago Guthrie has lost the prestigious honor of having the Warren Spahn Award in town as it has been shifted to Oklahoma City. Read more.

New York Yankee's CC Sabathia has won the award, once again, this season for the third straight year and while I'm not 100% sure he will not step foot in Guthrie, I seriously doubt he does.

"I am honored to receive the 2009 Warren Spahn Award," Sabathia said in a release. "My wife Amber and I have had the privilege of being in Oklahoma City the last two years and we're always impressed by their first-class event and warm hospitality."

No mention of Guthrie.

"CC Sabathia is a world-class athlete and also an all-round class act," said Spahn Award Chairman Bill Hickman. "His gracious participation in the past two Spahn Award galas has raised Oklahoma City’s profile as a big league city and enriched even more the legacy of baseball legend Warren Spahn."

No mention of Guthrie, but sure am glad it has raised the OKC profile of being big league.

Was the state seal not enough?

A look at the Norman North Winter Classic

High School basketball is underway despite some schools looking to play their first game including both Guthrie teams.

The Lady Jays get their shot first when they play in the Norman North Winter Classic this week when they open up with Norman North. Here is a break down of the Winter Classic. You can view the bracket on Guthrie Sports Page.

This tournament will not be one of the tops in the state this season with ranked teams, but two or three wins for any of these teams will be good to start their season. Shawnee is the only team in the field that had a winning 08-09 season and is one of four 6A teams in the field. Guthrie is one of three 5A teams, and SW Missouri the one team from out of state.

Moore - 3-18 a year ago and return one starter

Western Heights - 7-15 a year ago, but should be improved this season

Shawnee - 15-10 a season ago and has made the move up 6A despite not playing many 6A teams this season.

Ardmore - 5-18 a year ago, but returns lots of experience

Norman North - 10-14 in 08-09 but returns junior Mariah Turner, who may be a Division I athlete

Guthrie - 6-16 last season and appears will be more athletic this season to fit Terry Carris's style of play. Early test with Turner and 6A Norman North.

SW Missouri - do not know much about them except that they are located in the south west part of Missouri

Muskogee - 2-22 a season ago, but will have inside presence with 6-3 sophomore Deana Moore

Monday, December 7, 2009

OU vs Stanford in the Sun Bowl

The Sun Bowl, I assume, could not be much happier with the match up they will have with Oklahoma and Stanford.

The name Oklahoma and Stanford's Heisman hopeful Toby Gerhart have brought smiles to El Paso, Texas. Bob Stoops vs Jim Harbaugh helps the headlines as well.

OU fans may feel like they have already won with Stoops announcing he was going to be coaching the Sooners next season and beyond after rumors swirled about him going to Notre Dame.

Both teams are 2-0 in the Sun Bowl. Oklahoma got wins in 1981 and 1993 while Stanford picked up win in 1977 and 1996.

The Cardinal may be without their starting quarterback Andrew Luck due to surgery on his finger. If so, Tavita Pritchard will get the start.

The key match up will be Gerhart against the OU defense. The Sooners have been very good against the run this season and have had good game plans in the past against players like Gerhart.

OSU vs Mississippi in Cotton Bowl

Oklahoma State wanted their first BCS berth and were perhaps a game away from that, but the Cowboys will be going to their fourth bowl game in a row and winners of two of their last three bowl games.

The Cotton Bowl with the Cowboys and Ole Miss is another rematch of the 2004 Cotton Bowl (Ole Miss won 31-28), but the '09 will be better simply because it is at Jerry's World. The Cotton Bowl (in Dallas) itself has made nice improvements over the last few years as I have seen personally, but its no Jerry World, and of course, it will cost more for fans to go to Jerry's World.

Ole Miss is 3-1 when playing in the Cotton Bowl and Oklahoma State is 1-1.

The game itself has two teams with mirror images. The quarterbacks and running backs will be interesting to watch. You know, Houston Nutt will have some added motivation as the Ole Miss coach, who played and coached for the Cowboys in the late 70's and 80's.

Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead has been good and has been average this season. Snead and the Rebels played in this bowl game a year ago and defeated Texas Tech 47-34.

OSU is coming off their worse game of the season, but will be numerous of days away from January 2nd.

2009 Heisman ballot

This may be a good season for the Heisman to take a vacation because not sure there really is anyone who has won it convincingly.

Stanford's Toby Gerhart leads the NCAA in rushing with 1736 yards and 26 touchdowns while Alabama's Mark Ingram piled up 1542 yards and 15 scores. Not sure how Gerhart would have done in the SEC, but am positive it would not be his current numbers. However, that should not be the factor, as too, Ingram being the best player on the best team does not factor either.

Tim Tebow is not going to win a second Heisman, or a third national championship. Colt McCoy did not help his status in his last game, but it is a season award and not one game. It is definitely not a career trophy. If that was the case then it would be a showdown between Tebow and McCoy.

I really have liked watching Houston's Case Keenum this season with his numbers that match Playstation numbers, but Houston's schedule is not that of Tebow and McCoy.

If Chris Evans had a Heisman ballot here is how it would be filled out:

1. Ndamukong Suh
2. Toby Gerhart
3. Colt McCoy

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Basketball season is officially here

Well with all the football state championships being concluded this weekend we can officially say it is basketball season. I have been kinda bah hum bug on basketball, but starting to come around and getting out of football mode.

The two time defending state champions, Guthrie BlueJays, are gearing up for another deep playoff run while the Lady Jays appear are going to be more athletic then maybe then years past. Athletic, but young.

Lady Jays coach Terry Carris has added Jeff Ball and Jeff Fuller to the coaching roster and that is a positive move for the program.

If only we can get more then just six home games on the schedule. Its hard to do with the three tournaments, a 10 team conference, and a Super Saturday. I like the Super Saturday, but sure would like to see more home games.

Cant wait to hear the new sound system inside the gym. The equipment has been purchased and delivered. Just waiting on the installation. Trust me, it will be one of the best systems in the state with wireless mic's and six 12" speakers.

Congrats to the 7th grade boys basketball team on winning the Perkins Tournament and also good job to the 7th grade girls basketball team taking third in the same tourney. Scott Mick is the girls head coach and should be entertaining to watch this season.