* The coaching change at USF underscores a reality. The Bulls are better off than they used to be.
The Charlie Strong predecessors were Kansas State assistant Jim Leavitt and head coaches Skip (great surname) Holtz from East Carolina and Western Kentucky’s Willie Taggart. Charlie Strong comes in with better coaching chops and a Florida-recruiting reputation. He also follows the first Bulls’ incumbent who didn’t get fired. His job is not to undo and re-start–but to continue the momentum.
But, no, USF–in a non-Power 5 conference–is not yet a college destination job for a hot-shot coach. It’s still a leverage position, but better than it used to be. And that can change. A big Florida university in a big market should always have appeal. USF once reached a ranking of No. 2 in the country. It sold out RayJay. It can be done.
* Having a black head coach can help. It’s progressive–as well as enlightened self interest. Most of the recruits are African-American. Of course, it takes more than a coach of color to be successful–and Nick Saban, Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh would arguably agree.
* One downside to Willie Taggart leaving is that he gets to recruit the same athletes for Oregon that he was pursuing for USF. Can only imagine the revised pitch. “You know all that stuff I was telling you about why USF and Tampa Bay was the perfect fit for you? Well, actually, that now applies to Oregon. And you’ll love Eugene. No, it’s a city.”
* A shout out to USF’s women’s basketball team. While attention is paid to the high profile transition in football, the women’s team is nationally ranked and undefeated.
* MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently weighed in on the Rays stadium scenario. His comments were balanced and cautionary. He noted the upside of a “good TV market in Tampa.” He also underscored that “If, in fact, there’s not a site or there’s not a financial arrangement that’s viable and we become convinced of that, our rules allow for the possibility of relocation.” In other words, MLB can’t wait indefinitely for Tampa Bay to get its stadium act together.
* I like high school football. In a previous Pennsylvania incarnation, I coached it. So I watched some of the televised state-playoff action involving Jesuit and, especially, Plant High. One drawback is that once you get used to watching college games on network TV, you notice the differences in local cable high school coverage. Frustrating–from over-officiating referees to the inconsistent camera work to announcing-booth blather.