With Mack Brown on the hot seat at Texas, talk of potential replacements is constantly swirling around the 40 Acres. Of course, the most desirable candidate would be Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who has won back-to-back national titles.
While plucking Saban from Tuscaloosa may seem virtually impossible, a new report from the Associated Press suggests it may not be so far-fetched.
Through an open records request, the AP obtained an email that detailed a call between Saban’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, and UT Regent Wallace Hall and former Regent Tom Hicks. According to the email, Sexton stated that Texas is the only school that his client would leave Alabama for.
Sexton went on to say that Saban is under “special pressure” at the helm of the Crimson Tide as a result of the incredible success he has had in Tuscaloosa.
Arkansas AD gets raise
He may not have gotten the job in Austin, but Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long has parlayed the interest from Texas into a raise from his current employer.
Long has agreed to a new contract with the Razorbacks that will increase his annual salary to $1.1 million by next summer. The contract also includes a $100,000 bonus and raises his buyout to $1.3 million through June 30, 2015.
Long, who was recently named the chairman of the College Football Playoff committee, was considered one of the finalists for the Texas men’s athletic director position, prior to Steve Patterson being selected on Tuesday.
UNC quarterback out for rest of season
North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner had surgery Wednesday to repair a detached labrum and fracture in his non-throwing shoulder, and will be out for the rest of the season as a result.
Renner, a fifth-year senior, injured his shoulder on a scramble in the second half of last week’s game against NC State. With no eligibility left after this season, the injury means the end of his collegiate career.
The Virginia native has been the Tar Heels starter for each of the past three years, putting together one of the most impressive careers in the school’s history. Renner’s 64 career touchdown passes are the second-most in program history while he sits third in school history in passing yards, completions and attempts.
Cal running back injured in locker-room brawl
Cal running back Fabiano Hale was taken to hospital after a locker room altercation with a teammate last week, according to University of California police.
University police officials said the walk-on was injured in a “one-on-one” fight with another player at the team’s facility. Police did not identify the other player involved in the altercation but do have a suspect.
