Michael Floyd: 3 Alcohol charges--but reinstated to the team

Michael Floyd

((ht: southbendtribune))

It must be nice to be a football player. It's one of the only jobs where you can have 3 alcohol related arrests in 3 years and yet still not be punished. In fact, just today, Michael Floyd was reinstated to the Notre Dame football team. It's no coincidence he's the teams leading receiver.

If it sounds like we are judging a little. It's because we are. We fully understand he's a kid and kids make mistakes. But he made 3 of them. All somewhat related. Imagine if it were you who'd been arrested 3 times, how hard a time do you think you'd have at work...if you weren't fired on the spot?

Floyd, who most recently was arrested for Driving Under the Influence was placed on probation for a year and had his license suspended for 90 days. Then have the ignition breath device attached to his car.

You can read more from the South Bend Tribune RIGHT HERE

And yes, Floyd released a statement, "The last four months have been the most humbling stretch of time in my life. I embarrassed myself, my family, the university, my football team and many more people."


Floyd will no longer be a team captain, though his head coach Brian Kelly said he'd have an opportunity to be a game day captain. Oh, Kelly, added that he believes Floyd has made progress, worked on personal growth and learned how to make better choices in the future.

We hope that Michael Floyd speaks the truth and stays away from the alcohol. Two arrests for underage drinking and a DUI, all before the age of 22, makes one wonder if he has a problem.

For what it is worth, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune asked Floyd if he's been to a bar since his last arrest. He answered "Yes".

Notre Dame Releases Info from Sullivan Investigation

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

Here's the university press release...

Here are the recommendations from the investigation...

Here's the full report...

The University of Notre Dame held an internal investigation into the events that led to the death of student videographer Declan Sullivan last football season...

The short version yields four problems:

"A sudden and extraordinary" 53 mph burst of wind.

Staff members' lack of knowledge about on-the-field wind speeds.

The lift that fell, a Marklift MT40G, is structurally different than two other lifts used that day and more susceptible to tipping.

The height of the lift -- fully extended to 40 feet -- at the time of the accident.

In more detail- among some of the issues: The videography staff and student videographers weren't identified as "aerial lift employee-operators" by the campus Department of Risk Management and therefore never received required training, and the scissor lift didn't receive mandatory inspections in August of 2010 since it wasn't schedlued by the head of the videography department...

In March, the Indiana version of OSHA ordered the university to pay $77,500 in fines for safety violations related to Sullivan's death.

WSBT-TV's Colleen Ferreira looks at the IOSHA interviews that led to the fine...
 

Michael Floyd catches a break....sort of

Michael Floyd/Courtesy: flickr.com

Troubled Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd dodged one of the biggest bullets he's facing in an effort to remain eligible to play football at the South Bend, Indiana school. His break came when the school's "Office of Residence Life" decided not to issue a suspension from the school on the heels of his 2nd Drunk Driving arrest.

That isn't to say he's escaped the wrath of his coach, Brian Kelly, who added that Floyd remains suspended from the team and has many other issues to deal with before he'll be playing football again.

Read more from Chicagobreakingsports.com RIGHT HERE

For his part, young Mr. Floyd had a statement released saying "I'm grateful that I still have a chance to earn my degree and be a member of the football team." He added, "I know that I still need to meet requirements set by the University and Coach Kelly and that I have a lot of work to do and to prove that I've grown from the experience."


You'll recall that Floyd was arrested on March 20th for a DUI, his 3rd alcohol related offense while a student at Notre Dame. We might add here that he was the teams leading receiver last season and turned down the chance to turn pro and he returned for his senior year.

Interesting.

We hope that Mr. Floyd is getting his issue addressed because it seems to appear that he has one. There's some question as to how he managed to get 2 DUI's and another alcohol offense and not be in trouble with the school. How much do you want to bet if he was a regular student, he'd be gone?

It also appears, based on Floyd's statement that he's going to be playing in the fall. In fact, he already said as much. This despite Brian Kelly saying that Floyd has other issues to deal with and get his degree.

We don't want to come down too hard, because on the surface it appears he wants to make amends somehow. Maybe, if for no other reason than the NFL doesn't exactly look kindly on things like this. Teams do exhaustive research on guys before they are drafted and while there are certain "Transgressions" some overlook, Michael Floyd's transgressions are going to raise a red flag....or three of them.

Notre Dame Banning Hydraulic Lifts Use

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

Notre Dame has decided to stop using hydraulic lifts to film football practices as a result of the Declan Sullivan accident and death back in October.

University officials say now that the school will instead use a remote video system.

Notre Dame's president, the Rev. John Jenkins, says the system will prevent a repeat of what happened. The university says four cameras are being placed atop 50-foot-high poles, and they should be in place by spring practice.

Indiana's state version of OSHA is still investigating the accident.

The Sullivan family issued a statement hyah...

Here's a rewind of coverage from WSBT-TV...
 

Notre Dame turns alleged sex assault info over to Prosecutor

ND Football stadium/Courtesy: bobak/collegeprowler.com

Apparently this was done late last week. We told you on Sunday, the story about a St. Mary's college student allegedly sexually attacked by a Notre Dame football player. That student, Elizabeth Seeburg, killed herself 10 days after the alleged incident. Oh, by the way, the alleged incident happened Sept. 1st.

This weekend, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly played off the story in his Sunday conference call, saying he wasn't involved in the investigation and generally just passing everything off to Notre Dame campus police. Notre Dame authorities, well, they have declined to acknowledge the complaint...at least publicly.

Well, now comes a report that the information gathered has been passed to St. Joseph County (IN) prosecutor Michael Dvorak.

Read about that from the Chicago Tribune, who has been out front on this story...RIGHT HERE

If these allegations are even close to true, it smells pretty bad for the school. We think one of two things are at play. One, the school investigated and could not confirm anything and is confident that nobody else will either. There were no witnesses. Or two, they've been stalling and covering for the football player, hoping it will go away. If that is the case, someone is in deep doo-doo, the covering up would have been tied to the death of the young woman and nobody wants that on their hands. The one lingering question: If this happened in September, why is the info being sent to the prosecutor at the end of November? Because the Tribune is pursuing the story? Hmmm....

We'll let this play out in court and the local media up in northern Indiana and report on things as they progress. It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.

Speaking of that. The SouthBendTribune has a story on the differing stories being offered by police. You can read that story, RIGHT HERE

Here is the TV story on this from WLS-TV in Chicago:

SMC And Notre Dame Almost Answer Tribune Allegations

((HT: WNDU-TV South Bend))

A St. Mary's student who allegedly took her own life after overdosing on pills in early September, previously told police she had been sexually assaulted by a Notre Dame football player---the Chicago Tribune reported on Sunday.

Irish football coach Brian Kelly responded Sunday in his day after the game conference call, stating that he could not give any details because it is a university matter.

Naturally...

Kelly was asked when he learned of the situation, if he's talked to the player in question and why the player is still playing. Kelly responded each time stating that it was something the university would handle.

Angelo DiCarlo addresses the non-answers, thanks to our friends at WNDU-TV...


Saint Mary's sent out the following statement as a response to the Chicago Tribune allegations...

More when we know more...

TWTW: Which Utah Team Is This...???

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

Losing to Notre Dame the way they did...???

Prevailing opinion was that the Utes were still on a hangover after getting drilled by TCU at home by 40.

The Notre Dame student body was planning on rushing the field after an anticipated loss as the losing-est senior class in school history...

They may still do that, but not after beating Utah 28-3...

Here's the wrap from our friends at WSBT-TV
 

Here's a list of stuff that they broke Saturday...

The Irish broke a streak of 11 straight losses to ranked teams, which started with a 47-21 home drubbing from Michigan on September 16th, 2006.

It was the highest-rated team the Irish had taken down since before any of the current players attended freshman orientation - more precisely, a 17-10 upending of a third-ranked Michigan on the road in game 2 of the coach Charlie Weis Era back in 2005.

Saturday marked the fewest points the Irish allowed against an AP Top 20 team since a January 1st, 1993, Cotton Bowl win over 4th-ranked Texas A&M- also a 28-3 victory.

It was the fewest points Utah has scored since losing 17-0 to UNLV on September 22nd, 2007. That's a span of 45 games including Saturday.

It was ND's largest margin of victory against AP Top 20 team since October 12th, 1996, when Notre Dame beat Washington 54-20.

BREAKING: Notre Dame "Failed To Keep" Sullivan Safe

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

The Rev. John Jenkins, President of Notre Dame, sent out a letter to the Notre Dame family this afternoon. In it, he revealed that the school has reached out to former University of Arizona president Peter Likens to oversee the investigation the school is cionducting in the death of Fighting Irish videographer Declan Sullivan.

Jenkins did say this in the letter: "Declan Sullivan was entrusted to our care, and we failed to keep him safe. We at Notre Dame — and ultimately I, as President — are responsible."

The entire release can be seen here...

He also addressed Brian Kelly's status at the school:

Coach Kelly was hired not only because of his football expertise, but because we believed his character and values accord with the highest standards of Notre Dame. All we have seen since he came to Notre Dame, and everything we have learned in our investigation to date, have confirmed that belief. For those reasons I am confident that Coach Kelly has a bright future leading our football program.

More when we know more...

TWTW: Navy Takes Irish For Third In Last Four

((HT: NCAA on CBS/Youtube))

Ricky Dobbs scored three touchdowns and Alexander Teich ran for 210 yards to lead Navy to a 35-17 win over the Irish at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

The 84-year old series, which Notre Dame once owned like no other in college football history, now belongs to Navy who are now 5-2.

In 2007, the Midshipmen snapped their NCAA record 43-game losing streak to Notre Dame with a 46-44 win in overtime in South Bend. The HQ enjoyed Paul Johnson in that one immensely...

Last year, Navy won 23-21 at Notre Dame- the first of four straight losses that cost Charlie Weis his job.

It was the Irish's most lopsided loss against Navy since 1963.
Wasn't some guy named Staubach QB then...???

Notre Dame is now 4-4 and get Tulsa...

Whatever...
So, the HQ figured it would show you a passing touchdown as a bit of a change-up...
It's a hell of a catch by Teich...
Craig Bolerjack is on the mic for you...

TWTW: Kelly's Heroes Far From It, Stanford Blows Out Irish...

Okay... question for you...

How many of you bought into what Brian Kelly was selling this year at Notre Dame...?

The HQ was thinking, maybe, an 8-win team just because of the really crappy schedule.

But Stanford was not one of those crappy teams, there fore, the win would not be coming for the Irish. The 16th-ranked Cardinal improved to 4-0 while the Irish drop to 1-3. It's the 11th straight loss against a ranked team for Notre Dame and the 7th loss in eight games overall for the Irish.

Tell you something...???

Kelly, for this to work in South Bend, has to be able to flush out the guys from the Weis Administration and get his players in. But the next thought will be whether or not the rank-and-file will have enough patience to make that happen...

The same questions that are happening in Ann Arbor right now...

Good news: Dayne Crist was 25-of-44 for 304 yards with a TD, a pick, and a fumble.
Bad news: The Irish rushed for just 44 yards on 23 carries.

Next up for Notre Dame is a roadtrip to BC...

Here's Angelo DiCarlo with your wrap-up, thanks to our friends from WNDU-TV in South Bend... He's in front of a monitor...

Dantonio's Balls Of Steel Get Sparty OT Win

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

Aaron Bates threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt on a fake field goal attempt in overtime, giving the Spartans a 34-31 victory over Notre Dame Saturday night.

Dan Conroy lined up for a 46-yard attempt to tie the game in the bottom of the first overtime. But Bates took the snap and had time to wait for Gantt to get open downfield. Gantt, who was unblocked, caught the pass for an easy touchdown, giving the Spartans, now 3-0, the victory and revenge for a 33-30 loss in South Bend last season.

Celebrate, good times, c'mon...
Here's Channel 7's recap from outside the building...

Cincy Raids MAC Again For Head Coach

((HT: WCPO-TV))

For the second time in a row, Central Michigan University's head coach is going to the University of Cincinnati. This time Butch Jones gets to coach the UC Bearcats.

Brian Kelly, who coached Central Michigan from 2004-06 before being coming to the University of Cincinnati was Round One of that idea.

We know how that one turned out...

Bearcats offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn has been preparing the Bearcats for the Sugar Bowl -- and that Quinn, who served as an assistant at CMU with Kelly, had expressed interest in retaining the top position.

Apparently, Jones did better in the interview portion of the pageant.

Here's Dennis Janzen's coverage of said sequel...


Gee, how original... but those of us at the HQ wonder how well this will be received by the seniors- especially the ever-vocal Marty Gilyard...

Brian Kelly to Notre Dame

****BREAKING NEWS****

According to multiple media outlets, Notre Dame has hired Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly to be their next coach. We also know according to Cincinnati TV Station WCPO that Kelly has already informed his assistant coaches and will be telling his team tonight at the teams season ending awards banquet.

The story from WNDU-TV RIGHT HERE

More from WCPO-TV RIGHT HERE

This isn't a total surprise, Kelly teased that it could happen sometime this week. The timing of the banquet just makes it fortuitous. From what it sounds like, Kelly will not coach the team in the Sugar Bowl, rather Assistant Jeff Quinn will handle that duty.

((Brian Kelly has his job//Courtesy: Boston Globe))

We think this whole thing stinks. Not that Kelly took the job, but rather the timing. Why does Notre Dame have to do this now? Why does the NCAA allow this stuff. Kelly isn't going to suffer from it and neither is Notre Dame, no, the ones who have to suffer for it are the kids at Cincinnati who get rewarded for there hard work by their coach bailing out on them before the biggest game in school history. Nice!

Video to come later this evening when the inevitable statement is released.

Brian Kelly will decide this week

Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, who apparently is the "Apple" of Notre Dame's eye, says that he "Will make a decision on his coaching status by Saturday". We are assuming that means will he or won't he go to Notre Dame. Oh...and this caveat...he won't guarantee that he will coach Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl versus Florida.

**Note. Kelly will according to reports, be meeting the folks from Notre Dame on Tuesday, somewhere in New York**

Check out what Mr. Kelly had to say on the Dan Patrick Show...RIGHT HERE.

((Brian Kelly is kinda loyal to his players//Courtesy: ESPN))

Kelly did also say that he was negotiating an extension with Cincinnati; which is all well and good, but do you have a problem with this like I do? It smells...really bad. I get the whole "Opportunity of a Lifetime" thing. I get that it's a chance to "Move Up the Coaching Ladder"...that part I get, nobody can begrudge that.

No, the problem is how Kelly is playing this. Why would you throw that out there today? Why would you talk about it at all. Lay low this week. If you want to say you are on vacation...hide. Don't come out and say that you may bail out on your CURRENT EMPLOYER...if you feel like it. That is one of the MANY big things wrong with College Football. If you are under contract and in the midst of a season, you shouldn't be allowed to leave...period. If you don't like it...don't sign a contract.

((Cincinnati Fans beg for their Coach today//Courtesy: Cincinnati Enquirer))

The other part I blame on the HIGHLY overrated clowns at Notre Dame...and other "Big Name" schools but mostly the ASS CLOWNS AT THE NCAA. There should be...UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES...coaches being allowed to negotiate out of a contract to go coach at another school until the season is OFFICIALLY OVER...FOR EVERYONE.

The NCAA can fix this all by themselves...IF THEY WANTED TO. It helps foster an atmosphere of TOTAL AND COMPLETE GREED on their part. What would it hurt for their members to wait 1 month...after the holiday's to do this stuff. It's not fair to the kids at the smaller schools. In this case CINCINNATI. They had the dream season of dream season's for the program and yet they may not even have a head coach for their BCS Game against Florida. Come on TELL ME....WHAT IS FAIR ABOUT THAT?

TWTW: Cincy Comes From 21 Down To Take Big East

Boy, did Sean McDonough know what he was talking about...

A mishandled PAT gave the Bearcats an opening, and Tony Pike took it...

96 seconds was entirely too much time for the visitors to get the game back from the Pitt Panthers. A TD pass to Armon Binns placed perfectly was good enough for 28 yards and the game-winning score for a 45-44 win at Heinz Field.

The drive only took them 1:03...

The winner of the game gets the Big East automatic berth, and will probably play the winner of the ACC title game.

This win also keeps Brian Kelly focused on his BCS bowl game and not the opening at Notre Dame that everyone says is his if he wants it...

Here's the insane ending of the game, thanks to our friends at ESPN/ABC/Big East

Zach Colleros Needs to follow the Rules too...

It appears as though University of Cincinnati Quarterback Zach Colleros has forgotten to take care of a little business. That business is with the Hamilton County Municipal Court.

Mr. Colleros had been arrested back in May for possesion of a Fake ID as he tried to enter a bar in an area near the UC Campus. He got his case continued...several times before he finally had to appear at an October 5th hearing, where he was ordered to attend a diversion program. Only one problem. He never went to said program.

More from the Cincinnati Enquirer RIGHT HERE.

((Zach Collaros is forgettful//Courtesy: Cincinnati Enquirer))

Apparently Bearcats coach Brian Kelly is aware of the issue and says that it has been taken care of. It remains to see exactly what discipline will be put upon Colleros who has played extremely well for Cincinnati, who is 10-0 and ranked #5 in the BCS Polls.

Today's lesson boys and girls...if you do something bad, take care of it; whether you are a star athlete or not...it will come back on you somehow, someway if you don't.