I'm Going to Put You in the Auburn Store!

Some things require no explanation. And strangely, those things often occur in the South...where football and tradition reign supreme. That is why I couldn’t help but love this recent video of a child who has clearly been raised “right.” And by right, I mean to loath Auburn University the way so many other SEC fans do. So, enjoy this great video for what it is. Now, does anyone know if there is a LSU store?

Lane Kiffin, You are Now Officially...the Most Hated Man in Tennessee

A remarkable thing occurred yesterday. By taking the head job at USC, in one small action, Lane Kiffin became the most hated man in Tennessee. While to those that do not follow SEC football, that may be a confusing statement, but the fact is for the last 15 years Steve Spurrier has held that title. After all, it was Steve Spurrier who was born and raised in Tennessee, left for Florida to play college football (where we won the Heisman trophy) and then came back to coach at Florida where he won a national title, multiple SEC titles, and coached another Heisman Trophy winner...often at the expense of Tennessee. 

But all of that may be forgotten now. Where as Spurrier was hated by many, he was still respected by most, and as a member of the SEC family was always welcomed as a coach. You may not have liked him, and he sure was arrogant, but at least you could respect him for what he did, how he played, and that he won. But Lane...well...to paraphrase a distinguished gentleman from Texas...Lane Kiffin...you are no Steve Spurrier...and that is a very bad thing. 

I know that some are defending your actions to move to USC after one year on the basis that USC was your "dream" job, but that attitude is just a continuation of the apologist arguments that have followed you for many years. Yes, you spent six years at USC, and yes, you went to school in California, but the head coach of a UT (or any SEC school, for that matter) is not a stepping stone position, and certainly not something you disrespect by leaving after one year. Taking a job like the one at UT is like becoming the head of a religious congregation, with all of the obligations, responsibilities, and commitments to players, fans and the university itself. Gene Wojciechowski of ESPN may have said it best, "Kiffin is a used car salesman with a whistle. Wait, that's not fair to used car salesmen."

You have made your choice, and I wish you luck, but I am glad you are gone. You were already on the edge with me with your accusations of cheating by Florida and secondary NCAA violations, and so it is probably best that you go to a place that will most definitely have NCAA punishments and a program with border-line organizational control (see: Bush, Reggie). As Michael Rosenberg of CNNSI.com quipped, "what, did Barry Switzer say no?" Nope, but you are the next best thing. Good riddance.

ESPN Video:

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Get your mom a plastic spoon

Florida Gator Buzzerbeater Stuns NC State

If you didn't catch this from the weekend, check-out this amazing shot by Florida's Chandler Parsons to win the game over NC State. While we often see these kinds of shots at halftime or at the end of the game, they almost never go in...much less be the difference between winning and losing.

Needless to say, this is the best thing that ole Chandler has done for the Gators in his career...and it will probably immortalize him on YouTube for years to come. Given the way the Gators are playing this year, this shot and win could also be the difference for Florida in getting into the NCAA Tournament this year.

Urban Meyer Resigns as Headcoach at Florida...who will follow him?

Update 12/27: Late breaking news from Gainesville, Florida. Rather than resigning, Meyer has announced plans to take an indefinite leave of absence rather than resign. Change of heart attributed to a "spirited" practice with the team on Sunday, December 27th.

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Shocking news tonight out of Gainesville, Florida as Urban Meyer, Head coach of the University of Florida football team announced he was resigning due to health reasons. Details are still coming out, but apparently Meyer was hospitalized for chest pains after Florida's loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship a few weeks ago. That event led to a series of additional tests and, after consultation with his family, doctors, and athletic staff, led to his resignation effective after the 2010 Sugar Bowl.

Any way you look at this decision, this announcement is quite a shock. Not only is Meyer only 45, but he is literally at the "top of his game," and universally considered among the very best coaches in major college football. In five seasons at Florida, he has won two national titles, two SEC titles, and coached a Heisman trophy winner. Sure, 2010 was bound to be a down year, but this is a man who could have had the stadium named after him when he retires...and now his career has ended.

So...who will follow Urban at Florida? Well, let the parlor games begin! Keep in mind, Florida has the resources, money, and will (requirement?) to win. Throw in the fact that this is still one of the preeminent programs in college football, and almost any coaching choice is conceivable. That being said...here is my top five (in no particular order).

1) Bob Stoops, Headcoach, University of Oklahoma: Stoops has had a great run at Oklahoma, but any way you cut it, Florida is still a better job. Throw in familiarity with the program (he coached under Spurrier for a couple of years) and he will at least take AD Jeremy Foley's call.

2) Chris Peterson, Headcoach, Boise State University: Okay, Peterson can literally do no wrong in Boise after making them a household name, but still, a shot at a program like Florida may only come once in a career. That doesn't mean he is leaving, just that he should think about it. Besides, it is almost January, and Florida is a whole lot better than Idaho right now.

3) Gary Patterson, Headcoach, Texas Christian University: Patterson has done a remarkable job at TCU, but there are lot of folks who wonder if he can continue this success. While the state of Texas has plenty of talent, it also has UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, as well as, Oklahoma, Nebraska, etc. recruiting there. Effectively, TCU is the fifth or sixth best school (for football) in the state. At Florida, he would be # 1...

4) Steve Spurrier, Headcoach, University of South Carolina: Spurrier left Florida for a couple of ill-fated years with the Washington Redskins only to return to the SEC at South Carolina. None the less, he remains much beloved at Florida for his years as a player (where he won the Heisman) and Coach (where he pulled Florida out of the doldrums. They say you can never go back...but still...

5) Former NFL Coach X: Okay, this is a bit of a cop-out, but I gotta think that Florida might also be thinking of some former NFL Coach like Mike Shanahan or John Gruden. Personally, I don't like NFL coaches moving to the college ranks (see Groh, Al), but I don't blame Florida for thinking about it.

What do you think? Is there someone great out there I am missing? For reference, here is the current ESPN link.

LINK: Urban Meyer Resigns as Head Coach of the University of Florida