Heisman horse race

The Heisman Trophy has been known to produce unsatisfying winners.

Just in this decade, Troy Smith (who might’ve been the seventh- or eighth-best player on his own team, much less the country) of Ohio State won in an unjustifiable crime instead of Arkansas’ Darren McFadden, Oklahoma’s Jason White (who did, admittedly, put up amazing numbers) won when Pittsburgh’s Larry Fitzgerald or Ole Miss’ Eli Manning were probably better choices, Eric Crouch of Nebraska took home the award instead of Ken Dorsey, Rex Grossman and Joey Harrington (what a depressing list in hindsight, eh?) and Florida State’s Chris Weinke won instead of Oklahoma’s Josh Huepel.

All this is to say, whatever science goes into the voting isn’t very exact.

And to me, the logic this year is once again flawed.

Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy are all fantastic players, and you couldn’t go wrong with any of them.

But there’s one player who’s missing. And he’s from Texas Tech. And he’s not Graham Harrell.

For my money, other than Tebow there’s not a better player in college football this season than Red Raider wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

93 catches? 1135 yards? When he’s drawing all the attention?

Unbelievable.

If I had a Heisman vote, which I don’t (another injustice), this is how mine would go:

**Quick aside: Sports editor Mike Szvetitz does have a Heisman vote. Here’s his column explaining his vote.**

3. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma QB
Bradford has put up incredible numbers, and did it in two games with a bum hand. But he’s also surrounded by quite possibly the greatest offensive machine ever built (Yes, you can make the argument that he’s the one that makes it go, but I think he’s benefitted a lot from the talent around him).

2. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech WR
If some part-time missionary weren’t quarterbacking Florida he would be my vote.

1. Tim Tebow, Florida QB
As much as I like to make fun of the guy, the fact of the matter is he’s an extremely special football player. He’s spent his whole life preparing to be Florida’s quarterback and then using it as a platform for his ministry, and he’s done it. And he’s changing the game. If I weren’t so annoyed with him on occasion I would probably gush over him non-stop.

Day 9 roundup—The who got it wrong edition

Candidates, supposedly, are dropping out of this thing. That’s usually a sign the end is near.

For reference purposes, let’s look back at Thursday, when East Carolina’s Skip Holtz officially dropped out of the running for the Syracuse job. Hours later, Doug Marrone was tabbed the Orange’s new man.

So could it be a super Saturday? Your guess is as good as mine.

Here’s what happened today. Enjoy.

In 12 hours, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp went from “reportedly” being the new head coach at Auburn to, well, still being the Longhorns defensive coordinator.

Just another blip squashed off the radar in Auburn’s now nine-day-old coaching search that has yet to result in a new head coach.

Multiple reports, citing anonymous sources, early Friday reported that Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs and his team of advisors was scheduled to meet with Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe. Those reports were proved premature, however, as it was confirmed Auburn did not interview Grobe on Friday.

Asked if Auburn was granted permission to speak with Grobe, a spokesman from Wake Forest said the university does not comment on those type of matters.

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard confirmed Friday that Auburn officials have met with Cyclones head coach Gene Chizik.

It is Pollard’s understanding that Chizik is a “serious candidate” for the job, according to a university release.

“Auburn’s interest in Gene speaks to (Chizik’s) reputation,“ Pollard said in the release. “We saw that same potential in Gene two years ago. He is an outstanding football coach, tremendous recruiter and inspiring leader. When your organization has talented staff members, other schools express interest in their services.“

Chizik, 46, began his coaching career in 1990 as a defensive ends coach at Middle Tennessee State before eventually landing at Auburn from 2002-04 as the team’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Chizik spent two seasons as a co-defensive coordinator at Texas before landing his first head coaching gig at Iowa State in 2007.

The Cyclones have struggled under Chizik, going 5-19 overall, including a 2-10 2008 campaign. Iowa State went 0-8 against the Big 12 this season.

Chizik joined Buffalo’s Turner Gill, Ball State’s Brady Hoke, Tulsa’s Todd Graham, Louisiana Tech’s Derek Dooley, Texas Christian’s Gary Patterson, Georgia assistant Rodney Garner and Miami offensive coordinator Patrick Nix on the list of coaches who have reportedly interviewed with Auburn. East Carolina’s Skip Holtz has also emerged as a potential candidate, though a university spokesman denied Auburn had contacted to request permission to speak with Holtz.

A highly speculated, but never official candidate may have finally pulled himself out of the running Friday.

Florida state offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher told the Orlando Sentinel he was “staying” at Florida State. Days earlier at the Montgomery Quarterback Club, Fisher would not give a definitive yes or no answer to similar questions.

Amid TV reports late Thursday night that Muschamp would take the podium Friday at an Auburn press conference, the Texas coach in waiting adamantly denied any contact from Auburn or any interest on his part during Auburn’s search.

“I have not interviewed for any jobs. I’m not interested in any jobs,“ Muschamp said in a released statement. “I’m happy here, my family loves Austin and I’m going to be at Texas.“

Fox 10 in Mobile, citing anonymous sources, originally reported that Muschamp would be named Auburn’s coach at a Friday press conference. ESPN picked up the story early Friday morning, adding even more buzz to the completely false report.

Fox 10 issued a retraction late Friday morning after Muschamp’s statement was released.

The former, fan-favorite Auburn defensive coordinator, Muschamp is scheduled to receive a raise to $900,000 a year - doubling the salary he signed for just last year—to remain as defensive coordinator until coach Mack Brown leaves.

Despite Internet rumors and a report from WSFA NBC 12 in Montgomery, all indications do not point toward South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier being a candidate for the Auburn job.

Spurrier denied interest and contact with Auburn on Thursday at an Outback Bowl banquet.

“There’s nothing to that,“ Spurrier said. “It’s amazing how some of that stuff gets started.

“The Auburn one? Is that the one you’re talking about? Yeah, that one jumped out of nowhere. It’s interesting how anybody can almost start a rumor, I guess.

“It’s really complimentary, I guess, that they still think I’m good enough to coach at those places, or whatever, it is a compliment, but I’ve said many times that this is my last coaching job, at South Carolina. We’re going to try and see if we can’t do something real good.“

ESPN reported Friday that Patterson pulled his name out of the running for the Auburn job. Patterson met with Jacobs and high-ranking Auburn sports administrators Thursday. TCU and Patterson have not publicly commented about his alleged interview.

Now entering from left field, Gene Chizik

Here’s a release I just received confirming that Iowa State coach, and former Auburn defensive coordinator, Gene Chizik is a “serious” candidate for the job at Auburn.

POLLARD CONFIRMS AUBURN CONTACT WITH CHIZIK

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Athletics Director Jamie Pollard acknowledged Friday that Auburn A.D. Jay Jacobs recently contacted him to speak with Gene Chizik regarding the Tigers’ vacant head coaching position.

It is Pollard’s understanding that Chizik has met with Auburn officials and is a serious candidate for the job. Pollard said he wasn’t surprised by Auburn’s interest in his coach.

“Auburn’s interest in Gene speaks to his (Chizik’s) reputation,“ Pollard said. “We saw that same potential in Gene two years ago. He is an outstanding football coach, tremendous recruiter and inspiring leader. When your organization has talented staff members, other schools express interest in their services.“

Chizik and Pollard were not available for further comment.

Chizik, 46, began his coaching career in 1990 as a defensive ends coach at Middle Tennessee State before eventually landing at Auburn from 2002-04 as the team’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Chizik spent two seasons as a co-defensive coordinator at Texas before landing his first head coaching gig at Iowa State in 2007.

The Cyclones have struggled under Chizik, going 5-19 overall, including a 2-10 2008 campaign. Iowa State went 0-8 against the Big 12 this season.

If I had to guess, Jacobs and friends met with Chizik sometime Thursday during their escapade to Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth is about an 11-hour drive from Ames, so I’m assuming different jets were used. Sneaky.

Right now, I put Chizik in the same league as Georgia assistant Rodney Garner and Miami offensive coordinator Patrick Nix—both of which also have ties to Auburn—as longshots. Chizik would be a very tough sell, considering his lack of success with Iowa State. Yes, the Big 12 is tough right now, but so is the SEC, right?

That’s not saying it couldn’t happen, though. Former Tennessee assistant Dave Clawson just today landed the opening at Bowling Green after navigating the 115th worst total offense in the country. 

Talk about falling up

The most hated man in Tennessee, Dave Clawson, has earned himself a head coaching job. From the AP:

Clawson hired as Bowling Green football coach
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green hired former Tennessee offensive coordinator Dave Clawson as its head coach.
Clawson spent only one season at Tennessee, but newly hired Volunteers’ coach Lane Kiffin decided not to keep him on staff. Clawson replaces Gregg Brandon, who was fired after six seasons.
Tennessee’s offense struggled under Clawson this season, ranking near the bottom of all major college teams in total offense.
Much of Clawson’s success came in the Football Championship Subdivision, where he was head coach at Richmond and Fordham and twice won coach of the year honors.
He led Richmond to the national semifinals in 2007.

As successful as the guy was at Richmond, I’m not quite sure how you can look at the year Tennessee had and say the man earned a head coaching job anywhere, much less a MAC program that has been above average over the years.

Back late tonight with the promised Heisman thoughts.

Finding the news in a non-news event

Sometimes you go with a hunch, and it works.

Exhibit A: Yesterday’s airport stakeout resulted in a bevy of reporters watching athletic director and Jay Jacobs and his team of advisors step off a plane that flew into Auburn from Fort Worth, Texas. Presumably, they interviewed Texas Christian’s Gary Patterson and possibly another mystery candidate.

Then there’s Exhibit B, today’s airport adventure.

I rolled up to the Robert G. Pitts Auburn airport on a whim around 2 p.m. There was a plane flying out of Auburn to Columbia, S.C. That, of course, is where Steve Spurrier coaches football. It would also be a doable drive for Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe or East Carolina’s Skip Holtz, two suspected candidates.

Standing outside the door about 10 minutes before takeoff, colleague Luke Brietzke of the Anniston Star and I watched a Lexus SUV pull into the airport parking lot. Two middle-aged couples, coincidentally dressed in garnet red, hopped out and headed toward the plane. They didn’t look like tackle football affiliated people.

Yes, many non-coaching search related planes fly out of the Auburn airport. I learned that lesson this afternoon, but I’m not counting out another trip to the airport in the near future, if not this evening.