Arizona fires head coach, Kish will serve as interim
The Wildcats' head coach Mike Stoops was fired Monday after eight years with the team. Athletic director Greg Byrne made the move to fire Stoops after a 1-5 start to the season.
“I was concerned about the direction of the program and where we were going and felt that needed to be addressed,” Byrne said. “We felt this would give everybody a fresh start for the remainder of the season.”
Stoops led the Wildcats to three-straight bowl games after a decade of mediocrity, but that wasn’t enough to keep him around. His overall record at Arizona was 41-50, including 27-38 in conference games. Defensive coordinator Tim Kish will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season while the school searches for a new coach.
South Carolina dismisses former starting QB Garcia
Senior quarterback Stephen Garcia was dismissed from the team earlier this week after failing to meet the guidelines put in place after his fifth suspension this past spring. His dismissal results from testing positive for both alcohol and marijuana.
“Being a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina is a privilege, not a right,” said athletic director Eric Hyman. “And we remind all of our student-athletes that there are consequences for their actions. For Stephen to return to and remain with the football squad this fall, we agreed on several established guidelines. Unfortunately, he has not been able to abide by those guidelines and has therefore forfeited his position on the roster. We wish him the best of luck as he moves forward in life.”
Utah QB out for season, needs shoulder surgery
Junior quarterback Jordan Wynn will undergo surgery on his left shoulder within the next 10 days and will miss the remainder of the season. It is the second-straight season that Wynn will have season-ending surgery.
“Obviously, this is disappointing news for Jordan and the entire team,” said Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. “The good news is that he is eligible for a redshirt season.”
Junior transfer Jon Hays now permanently moves in to the starting role as the Utes’ quarterback. Hays made his first collegiate start last week against Arizona State and threw three interceptions and one touchdown.
Jared Crick done for year after suffering muscle tear
All-American defensive tackle Jared Crick has a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the remainder of the season for the Corn Huskers. The senior had been projected as a first-round NFL pick, and was ranked as high as 18 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent 2012 Big Board.
“I feel extremely bad for Jared,” said head coach Bo Pelini. “Jared has a bright future in front of him on the field at the professional level. I know he will bounce back from this and become a stronger player and person.”
With 20 career sacks, he ranks eighth on Nebraska’s all-time sack list. He also totaled 35 tackles for a loss in his career.
No major violations found in Newton recruiting case
The NCAA has said that they have not found any major violations committed by Auburn regarding former quarterback Cam Newton or other play-for-pay allegations. The NCAA released a statement earlier this week stating that the 13-month investigation had been closed. Auburn was also cleared by the NCAA of allegations pertaining to four former players that received payments during their recruitment or career at the university.
“Any allegations of major rules violations must meet a burden of proof, which is a higher standard than rampant public speculation online and in the media,” the NCAA said in a statement.
It also says the investigation could be reopened if evidence surfaces.
