Nolan Fired Singletary Hired

The San Francisco 49ers have fired Head Coach Mike Nolan ((pictured, thanks sfgate.com/Michael Macor)) and replaced him, on an interim basis, with Mike Singletary.

From the San Francisco Chronicle ahem... quote...

"Nolan was nearly fired by owner John York at the end of the 2007 season after the 49ers compiled a 5-11 record marked by a bitter rift between the head coach and the man he drafted No. 1 in 2005 to lead the team back to respectability, quarterback Alex Smith."

Nolan was fired with a cumulative record of 18-37 over a three-and-a-half year period. He was brought in as a defensive guru-type-coach, but his Niners squads averaged giving up over 30 points per game.

"Asked about his job security after Sunday's 29-17 loss to the Giants, Nolan said, 'We've lost four in a row. We're certainly not going in the right direction. When you lose, it fuels speculation, sure. But as far as what's on my mind, I can't focus on it.' "

The rest of John Crumpacker's piece in the Chronicle can be found in black...

NAIA Football Poll #6 ((Week of October 20))

1) Carroll College (Mont.) (18) 8-0 418
2) University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 6-0 402
3) University of Saint Francis (Ind.) 6-0 384
4) Morningside College (Iowa) 6-0 367
5) MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) 7-0 360
6) Friends University (Kan.) 6-0 333
7) Lindenwood University (Mo.) 5-1 306
8) Northwestern Oklahoma State University 6-1 299
9) Missouri Valley College 5-1 291
10) Northwestern College (Iowa) 6-1 285
11) University of Virginia's College at Wise 7-1 263
12) University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 6-1 249
13) Saint Xavier University (Ill.) 5-2 217
14) Union College (Ky.) 6-1 209
15) Bethel College (Kan.) 5-1 189
16) Langston University (Okla.) 5-2 175
17) Black Hills State University (S.D.) 5-2 128
18) Malone University (Ohio) 4-1 125
19) Montana State University-Northern 5-2 118
20) Jamestown College (N.D.) 5-2 112
21) Lambuth University (Tenn.) 5-2 81
22) Ottawa University (Kan.) 5-1 78
23) Saint Ambrose University (Iowa) 4-3 54
24) Ohio Dominican University 3-3 44
25) Shorter College (Ga.) 5-2 38

Others receiving votes:
Baker University (Kan.) 31; Dickinson State University (N.D.) 22; Dakota Wesleyan University (S.D.) 17; University of St. Francis (Ill.) 13; Quincy University (Ill.) 5; Midland Lutheran College (Neb.) 3; Cumberland University (Tenn.) 1; William Penn University (Iowa) 1

Division I-AA Poll ((Week of October 20))

1. James Madison Dukes (102) 6-1 2,669 1
2. Appalachian State Mountaineers (3) 5-2 2,527 2
3. Elon Phoenix (1) 7-1 2,270 3
4. Wofford Terriers 5-1 2,210 4
5. Northern Iowa Panthers 5-2 2,033 6
6. Cal Poly Mustangs (1) 4-1 2,022 5
7. Villanova Wildcats 5-1 2,018 7
8. Montana Grizzlies 6-1 1,833 8
9. Richmond Spiders 5-3 1,746 9
10. New Hampshire Wildcats 5-1 1,540 11
11. McNeese State Cowboys 4-2 1,511 12
12. Western Illinois Leathernecks 5-2 1,311 15
13. Central Arkansas Bears 6-1 1,241 13
14. Southern Illinois Salukis 4-2 1,205 16
15. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 6-1 1,136 17
16. Weber State Wildcats 6-2 1,043 18
17. Massachusetts Minutemen 4-3 991 10
18. Furman Paladins 6-2 912 19
19. Tennessee State Tigers 6-1 608 22
20. Liberty Flames 6-1 529 14
21. Jacksonville State Gamecocks 5-2 448 23
22. Hampton Pirates 5-1 392 25
23. William & Mary Tribe 4-2 357 NR
24. Lafayette Leopards 5-1 244 NR
25. Harvard Crimson 4-1 190 NR

Others receiving votes: South Carolina State 119, North Dakota State 97, San Diego 83, Tennessee-Martin 75, South Dakota State 73, Eastern Washington 57, Georgia Southern 45, Colgate 42, Grambling 32, Florida A&M 30, Texas State 25, The Citadel 24, Maine 20, Sam Houston State 13, Eastern Illinois 12, Prairie View 12, UC Davis 10, Sacred Heart 8, Delaware 6, North Dakota 6, Albany 5, Eastern Kentucky 3, Butler 1, Central Connecticut State 1, Holy Cross 1, Penn 1.

Doomsday In Dallas?

So much to talk about with the Dallas Cowboys just where do you start. Let's start with Adam "Pacman" Jones who has entered rehab today.

Cowboy owner Jerry Jones confirmed that he is being treated for alcohol addiction in another part of the country but didn't say where. Let's hope there a no strip bars within walking distance of Pacman's rehab.

The shield will be overlooking Jones' treatment. Pacman, big brother is watching you.

This comes after the Dallas Cowboys went to hell Sunday losing to the St. Louis Rams 34-14. The Rams crushed the Cowboys, unbelievable. The Rams were the keystone cops last month, now the Cowboys are on the brink.

Your first thought is Wade Phillips is out the door. His majesty says no. I wonder if Jerry Jones will sit in on the offensive and defensive meetings this week.

Check out Randy Galloway’s column in the Ft.Worth (TX) Star-Telegram. He calls the Cowboys a bunch of quitters.

It appears the Cowboys are in full crisis mode.

Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News already wants Wade Phillips whacked .

Adam "Pacman" Jones Photo Courtesy: AP

Wade Phillips Photo Courtesy: FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM/RON JENKINS

LSU's 12th Man

What do you make of this?



What does the official have against South Carolina Quarterback Stephan Garcia? Look how the official squares up and delivers a blow near Garcia's head with his shoulder.

I don't know what to say. That's the craziest thing I've ever seen.

McDavid's Plans Disclosed For TBS Teams: Jury Told

((HT: Bloomberg.com/Howard Bloom SBN Daily))

The buyers of Turner Broadcasting System's basketball and hockey teams were shown rival bidder David McDavid's business plan before making their offer, one of them testified at the trial of McDavid's lawsuit against TBS. This article was written by Laurance Viele Davidson and David Beasley and appeared on Bloomberg.com.

Michael Gearon, a member of the partnership that bought the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers, yesterday told an Atlanta jury his group was sent the plan by its lawyer Michael Egan. McDavid sued TBS, claiming the cable company violated an oral contract to sell him the teams and keep his business plan secret.

Gearon, a partner in the group Atlanta Spirit, testified he wasn't aware of any information his group had on the McDavid deal. McDavid's lawyer Steven J. Rosenwasser showed him and the jury e-mail and other documents that Gearon received indicating it was McDavid's work.

``In fact you were told some of the details of the McDavid deal?'' Rosenwasser asked.
``That's right,'' Gearon said.

Gearon said today when questioned by defense lawyer June Ann Sauntry that he never discussed blocking the McDavid deal with Ted Turner, the TBS founder, whose son and son-in law were among the buyers. Gearon was in South America to manage a mobile-phone business as Atlanta Spirit negotiated with TBS, he said.

Negotiations continued for months after McDavid maintains he was cut out as the buyer, Gearon said.

Sauntry displayed an October 8, 2003, e-mail from Turner in- house attorney Louise Sams, who referred to the McDavid purchase plan as a ``target.''

Gearon's E-Mail

Gearon said he received 200 e-mail messages a day on a variety of subjects and didn't recall much about Atlanta Spirit's negotiations. His involvement with Atlanta Spirit stemmed from a friendship with Turner's son-in-law Rutherford Seydel. They shared a love of the Hawks and wanted to keep them in Atlanta, he testified.

McDavid, a Texan who was once a minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, sued TBS for $500 million. He proposed to buy the teams for about $215 million. Atlanta Spirit bought the teams for about the same price, lawyers for McDavid said in opening statements.

TBS is an Atlanta-based unit of Time Warner Inc., based in New York, the world's largest media company. Its units include Cable News Network and Turner Classic Movies.

The $500 million damages request is 11 percent of New York- based Time Warner's $4.39billion net income last year.

Time Warner rose 31 cents, or 3.2 percent, to $9.91 at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares have fallen 46 percent in the past year.

The trial began October 9 and probably will last a month, McDavid's lawyers said.

The case is McDavid v. Turner Broadcasting System Inc., 2005-cv-101902, Fulton County Superior Court (Atlanta).

Maddon-ing Time In Tampa: Rays Clinch ALCS

With a grand total of five games of regular-season experience, Tampa ((Don't Say Devil)) Rays pitcher David Price gets a four-out save to send the team to their first-ever World Series.

Click here to hear the winning call, courtesy of the Rays Radio Network.

The Rays ((with Erick Aybar scoring, thanks tbo.com/Chris Urso)) defeat the Boston Red Sox four games to three.
Game one of the Series against the Philadelphia Phillies is Wednesday Night.

Tampa coverage

TBO.com
Tampa's ABC28

WTSP-CBS10
((SIDENOTE: For those of you that missed our live simulcast of 10Connects coverage after the clinching victory, we'll have coverage from friend of OSG, Anchor Angela Jacobs, all series long... as soon as they post her material from down there...))

Myfoxtampabay.com
Newschannel 8- WFLA
620WDAE Radio

Your game-winner... ((HT: TBS/MLB))

Something to Chew on, from 'da Coach

Would've, could've....

We here at OSG Headquarters don't espouse our political views here on the site. Sports is a different beast with somewhat different people who are generally a lot easier to deal with on a regular basis.

But, we couldn't pass up this story that we found on Yahoo.com earlier on Sunday. We just found a lot of humor in the thought. I don't know if we could do it justice by describing it, so follow the link: here

Political Humor...

In the interest of equal time. We feel obligated to post this bit from Saturday Night Live. Say what you will about most politicians, we here at OSG Headquarters do appreciate any politician who has a sense of humor. And, well, this qualifies.

Thanks NBC

Charges Brought in Collier Shooting

((HT: Firstcoastnews WTLV/WJXX- Jacksonville))

There has been an arrest in the shooting of Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Reggie Collier. Saturday evening 32-year-old Tyrone Romaro Hartsfield was taken in to custody and was scheduled for his inital court appearance Sunday.

Police followed leads from witnesses and tracked Hartsfield's cell phone data to catch up with him.

Undersheriff Frank Mackesy says JSO treated this investigation like any other but all the attention did bring in tips that helped police.

"It will all come out in the right time, right now is not the right time but what I will say is that some of the Crime Stoppers tips that did come in, paralleled the information we already had in the investigation," Mackesy said.

The September 2nd shooting left Collier paralyzed from the waist down. He also lost part of his leg below the knee due to an infection.

From Gary Detmer's article on firstcoastnews.com

"...after the shooting, police started looking into that April fight. Last week Hartsfield told our news partner, The Florida Times-Union, that he wasn't involved in the shooting. "I wouldn't dare go after no one," Hartsfield said.

Hartsfield has a lengthy criminal history, including numerous drug and weapons charges. He was found guilty of Battery on a School Board Employee. He was also charged with Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Woman, but charges were later dropped.

Hartsfield was booked into the Duval County Jail, where he remains with no bond."

First Coast's Ashley Coleman was present for Hartsfield's court appearance. She reports that the hearing lasted less than a minute, and that Hartsfield is being appointed a public defender. One of Hartsfield's family members told First Coast that Hartsfield was being "falsely accused."

CBS47's coverage is below...

AP Top 25 Poll ((Week of October 19th))

1. Texas Longhorns (65) 7-0 1,625 1
2. Alabama Crimson Tide 7-0 1,543 2
3. Penn State Nittany Lions 8-0 1,506 3
4. Oklahoma Sooners 6-1 1,358 4
5. Florida Gators 5-1 1,307 5
6. U-S-C Trojans 5-1 1,292 6
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys 7-0 1,252 8
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders 7-0 1,194 7
9. Georgia Bulldogs 6-1 1,117 10
10. Ohio State Buckeyes 7-1 1,053 12
11. L-S-U Tigers 5-1 987 13
12. Utah Utes 8-0 943 14
13. Boise State Broncos 6-0 849 15
14. South Florida Bulls 6-1 674 19
15. T-C-U Horned Frogs 7-1 643 NR
16. Missouri Tigers 5-2 568 11
17. Pittsburgh Panthers 5-1 540 23
18. B-Y-U Cougars 6-1 412 9
19. Kansas Jayhawks 5-2 364 16
20. Ball State Cardinals 7-0 357 24
21. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 6-1 338 NR
22. Tulsa Golden Hurricane 7-0 321 NR
23. Boston College Eagles 5-1 281 NR
24. Florida State Seminoles 5-1 190 NR
25. Minnesota Golden Gophers 6-1 149 NR

Others receiving votes: Northwestern 62, Virginia Tech 62, Vanderbilt 61, Michigan State 15, North Carolina 14, Kentucky 10, Maryland 10, Cincinnati 9, Oregon 8, Arizona 6, California 3, Oregon State 2.

((HT: Sportsnetwork))

Welcome Tulsa To The Top 25

We were somewhat conflicted as to whether or not to post this...

Those of us here at OSG HQ are not the biggest Todd Graham fans for his contract shenanigans...

Brother Wilkie knows full-well what a Gus Malzahn offense is capable of doing if given the time...
Here's your proof... and proof that Mike Price may be on an unemployment line near you very soon... the most points for Tulsa in, almost, 40 years...

((HT: KVIA-TV))

Texas Tops First BCS Poll

The Texas Longhorns left no doubt they deserved top billing in college football after routing Mizzou Saturday night.

The first BCS poll was released and the Horns have the top ranking.

BCS Standings

1 Texas 0.997
2 Alabama 0.948
3 Penn State 0.866
4 Oklahoma 0.831
5 USC 0.775
6 Oklahoma St. 0.772
7 Georgia 0.720
8 Texas Tech 0.712
9 Ohio St. 0.702
10 Florida 0.699
11 Utah 0.634
12 Boise St. 0.587
13 LSU 0.498
14 TCU 0.419
15 Missouri 0.368
16 South Florida 0.329
17 Pittsburgh 0.283
18 Georgia Tech 0.240
19 Tulsa 0.236
20 Ball St. 0.234
21 BYU 0.217
22 Northwestern 0.162
23 Kansas 0.148
24 Minnesota 0.142
25 Florida St. 0.112

Photo Courtesy: AP

Watch Out ACC, Here Come The 'Hoos

3 Weeks ago, Virginia football fans were feeling really low. The Cavaliers were blown out by Duke 31-3 and the Cavs were 1-3 and a horrible football team. Starting quarterback Peter Lalich was dismissed from the team. Would UVA replace Duke as the ACC’s punching bag?

3 weeks later and the Hoo’s are hot, first rebounding nicely from the Duke debacle blowing out Maryland 31-0 then defeating East Carolina 35-20 and now taking care of 18th ranked North Carolina in overtime 16-13 in Charlottesville.

“That was an awesome win for our team and I’m tremendously proud of our players and I’m happy for them that they got a chance to celebrate the way they did.” Virginia head coach Al Groh said. “Every team throughout the course of the year has got to find its identity. We clearly think over the last three weeks we’re starting to find our identity, which is a tough-minded, stick together, purposeful team with a lot of resolve. There’s a lot of trust and unity on the team.”

I couldn’t have said it better coach Groh. Virginia could have folded the tents and waved off the 2008 season after being humiliated by Duke. Instead UVA has shown guts and moxie in rattling off 3 wins in a row.

Since taking over as starting quarterback, Marc Verica has thrown for 200 yards for 3 games in a row and has pumped life in what was an anemic Cavalier offense. In turn UVA is a confident team.

“This game does a lot for our confidence.” Verica said. “We know what we are capable of. We didn’t play our best today, but luckily we were able to get the win.”

I thought Virginia was a last place team lucky to win 3 games. Well they have won 4, 3 in a row and have taken the personality of their cantankerous head coach, Al Groh. Tough and resilient.

I never thought UVA would be in the conversation for the ACC Championship Game in late October but here are the ‘Hoos, 4-3, 2-1 in the ACC and with a good chance. Heck, 2 more wins and the Cavaliers qualify for a bowl.

Photo Courtesy: David Petkofsky/UVa Media Relations

Here's Cedric Peerman's overtime touchdown to finish off North Carolina.

Thanks to our friends at NBC29 in Charlottesville for the video of the game and the game winner along with some reaction.

College Hoops Tips Off

Remember 20 years ago when Midnight Madness was a big deal to begin college basketball? Well that tradition is still around but flying under the radar now.

The midnight madness tradition continued Friday night. Check out some of the highlights from Kansas, Davidson, Georgetown, Indiana and Gonzaga.




Who's got the best dance moves? Stephan Curry,, Georgetown head coach John Thompson III or the Gonzaga team?

Nothing like splashing a cold dose of reality on the fans like Bill Self and Tom Creen. You get they feeling both Kansas and Indiana will struggle. Kansas may be able to compete in the Big 12 but I'm not sure Indiana has a shot at all. Good move by both coaches.

Frost Trial Coverage Continues

((HT: Ottawa Citizen))

Neco Cockburn's coverage of the David Frost trial continues as two former player for the Quinte Hawks testified about Frost's ((pictured, thanks Ottawa Citizen/Lars Hagberg)) coaching style and alleged outbursts that he had related to that activity.

Jason Flick and Colin Scotland, two players under Frost for Quinte, relayed the following when Frost took over the team:

"Frost appeared to take over the coaching role when he came into the dressing room during one game, broke a stick to get the boys' attention and told them they were playing terribly and needed to tighten up their game, Flick recalled Friday.

"Flick said during one incident, Frost grabbed ((Mike Danton then)) ((Mike)) Jefferson by the jersey and punched him in the face in the dressing room. Flick said he didn't react for fear the same thing would happen to him.

Frost swore at players, called them "pussies" and would "kind of degrade people," Flick said, calling him "tougher than any coach I've played for."

During one incident, Frost pushed an injured Jefferson against a wall in the dressing room and said something to the effect of, "You think you're hurt? I'll show you f-king hurt," said Scotland, a former forward.

"I was a 16-year-old kid, first time away from home. I was intimidated and afraid of Mr. Frost," he said, adding that he feared being sent home - which would be a sign of failure - or being yelled at.

The trial resumes on October 27th...

Terry Bowden Says Tommy Bowden Deserved To Be Fired

Terry Bowden in his blog on Yahoo Sports.com expressed his opinion on the fate of the brother, Tommy Bowden at Clemson.

So, did Tommy Bowden deserve what happened to him Monday?
Unfortunately, yes.
He deserved it because he, of all people, knew what to expect when he got into this business. We grew up in it.
He knew what to expect when he went to Clemson. He knew that no matter where you go, there is an expectation of success that must be met. After nine years at Clemson, he knew exactly what those expectations were and he knew they had not been met.
Clemson expects to win the conference championship once in a while – and they should. After 10 years of falling short, they deserve the right to try to find a coach they believe can get them there.

Terry Bowden makes some good points. I think the conversation will be very interesting at the next Bowden family get together.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

No BCS For BYU: Frogs Take A Big Leap Over Cougars

The BYU Cougars came down from the mountains to Ft. Worth, Texas and got their nose bloodied by the TCU Horned Frogs 32-7. Texas Christian had circled this date with BYU on their calendars and put a pounding on the Cougars.

“BYU has been the top team in our conference the last two seasons, and our guys have been focused on them since January.” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said. “We really wanted to come out and be the best TCU football team that we could be and I think we did that. We knew it would be a big stage, we got some breaks and turnovers, and it worked out well for us.”

It was a bad night for BYU quarterback Max Hall who only threw for 275 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions and sacked 6 times by the Frog defense.

“They were fast, and they got to me.” Hall said “The bottom-line is they were strong, and they forced me into some bad decisions. I thought that I had been fairly good at handling the pressure, but tonight it just got to me. TCU deserves a lot of credit for their performance.”

BYU’s loss to TCU all but ends the Cougars BCS dream.

Read more about the game from the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

And a column from Gil LeBreton of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram

Photo Courtesy: AP

Ruling Allows Players To Testify In Frost Trial

Neco Cockburn's coverage of the David Frost trial continues in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper.

Friday's testimony will come from former Frost players Colin Scotland and Jason Flick. It is believed that those two will relay in open court that Frost threatened and intimidated his junior players that he coached.

Justice Geoffrey Griffin also ruled that the names of the witnesses in the case can be published. Two of the women are set to testify that they were involved in "three-way sex" with their hockey-player boyfriends and Mr. Frost. This argument is one of the keys in the sexual exploitation charges brought forth by the Crown in the case.

From Cockburn's article... ahem... quote...

"The Crown had sought the ban to cover the names of Jennifer Hicks and Kristy Boyer, both now 28, who, as teens, were allegedly involved in the threesomes with their then-hockey playing boyfriends and Mr. Frost.

"The Crown also wanted the ban to cover the name of Marcia DiFazio, also now 28, who was allegedly invited to the hotel where Mr. Frost and some of his players lived and arrived with Ms. Hicks and another woman to find players involved in sex in the room, the court has heard.

The request had also covered two women, not yet named, aged 26 and 24, who would be expected to say that they were encouraged by Mr. Frost to engage in "two-on-one" sex, although not with him."

"Judge Griffin ruled that the nature of Mr. Frost's relationship with his players matters to the case, trusting that the Crown believes it can bridge the gap between the coaching style and the alleged offences.

"In doing so, the judge decided that evidence from former team trainer Charles Morgan and former players Ian LaRocque, Mr. Scotland and Mr. Flick can be heard. They are expected to testify about incidents in which Mr. Frost allegedly berated players, hit them with hockey sticks and dumped garbage on them. He allegedly punched a boy and threw a water bottle at another, the court has heard."

More from Cockburn on the specifics of the case in black...

And as we know more, you know more...

KHL To Investigate Cherepanov Death

((HT: CP))

Russia's Continental Hockey League is saying they will conduct their own investigation into the death of 19-year-old Avangard Omsk player and New York Rangers Number One Draft Pick Alexei Cherepanov.

KHL Managing Director Vladimor Shalaev will lead a special commission to "conduct an exhaustive investigation into all aspects of the situation." The group expects to cooperate with state and local authorities.

Federal investigators say that the cause of death is currently unclear.

"The KHL is committed to the safety of our players and will ensure that all member teams provide the highest level of medical care for our players," league president Alexander Medvedev said.

Cherepanov was diagnosed, initally for a cause of death, with "chronic ischemia." Regional investigators are currently asking why this condition went undetected for as long as it reportedly did.

Lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov, who sits on the Russian Hockey Federation's supervisory council, has been vocal in his personal displeasure as to why local medical personnel took too long to respond to the call at the game and arena. He also has complained that there was no ambulance on stand-by and no defibrillator present at the arena.

So Much For Savard- Four And Out

Only four games in to the new National Hockey League season, the Chicago Blackhawks of new are acting like the Chicago Blackhawks of old- firing head coach Denis Savard ((pictured, maybe, in happier times, thanks globesports.com)) and bringing in ((magically)) Joel Quenneville.

Shocked, aren't you... those of us at OSG HQ scream "set up."

The team was coming off its first win of the year and a 1-2-1 start out of the blocks. Rocky Wirtz, son of long-time owner, perpetual cheapskate, and instant alienator of fans Bill Wirtz is now in charge. He's thinking that with the likes of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and all the other big-season pick-ups that General Manager Dale Tallon was able to grab- it's win now or else...

Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail brings up the point that when Quenneville was hired as a pro scout last month, why would he even take the gig...?

We now knows the answer to that one, don't we...?