Category Archives: College football

Notre Dame Kelly on NBC interview: Execution grade is C

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Big day for Notre Dame. Plenty of visitors in town.

ESPN GameDay is doing its show live in South Bend. NBC also brought its studio crew of Liam McHugh, Doug Flutie, and Hines Ward to town for its coverage of the Irish-Stanford game.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is doing his best not to let himself or the team get caught up in the hoopla.

During an interview, McHugh asked Kelly to grade his team. He said:  “On toughness I give them an A. On execution and fundamentals a C.”

When asked if he is OK with all the “noise” around their great season, Kelly said as long as there is an “atmosphere of success,” he is fine with people beating the drum.

The beat could get louder with a win today.

 

Beano Cook dies; Truly unique character with passion for all things college football

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He was a favorite.

From ESPN:

Longtime ESPN college football commentator Carroll H. “Beano” Cook – known as much for his caustic wit as for his encyclopedic knowledge of college football history – passed away in his sleep overnight at the age of 81 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

One of the sport’s most memorable commentators, Cook had appeared on ESPN as a college football studio analyst since 1985 after four years at ABC Sports. In addition to college football programming, SportsCenter and ESPNEWS on television, Cook was a fixture as a guest on ESPN Radio and had a popular podcast on ESPN.com.

“He was one of a kind,” said George Bodenheimer, ESPN executive chairman. “There never was and never will be another Beano. His combination of humor, passion, love of college football and his engaging personality left an indelible mark on the sport and touched anyone who knew him.”

Prior to ABC, Cook worked in public relations for CBS Sports from 1977-82. From 1974-77, he worked as sportswriter for the St. Petersburg Times, the director of public relations for the Miami Dolphins, public relations director for Mutual Radio Network, and toured with VISTA. From 1966-74, Cook served as ABC Sports NCAA press director.

Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Ivan Maisel – three ESPN personalities who worked closely with Cook over his career at ESPN – provided the following memories:

Fowler: “Cook was an American original. His passion, depth and breadth of knowledge, and humor were unique. He was an invaluable early mentor to me and friend. His imprint can still be seen on GameDay each week.”

Corso: “Beano was a unique human being and he was college football at ESPN. I am indebted to him. Beano was a tremendous help at the start of my television career and I would not be where I am today without him. I am forever grateful to Beano and the time we spent behind the GameDay desk.”

Maisel: “Beano loved college football, and he had the encyclopedic memory to prove it. More than that, he loved people. He collected friends like some people collect stamps. People would say they don’t make them like Beano, because of his ability to be so quotable. But Beano was one-of-a-kind in his friendship. I think all of us who valued that quality in him are very, very sad.”

Cook will always be remembered for his sense of humor. Over his ESPN years, he gave many memorable quips, such as:

  • I’d like to do the last scoreboard show and then go. I don’t want to die in the middle of the football season. I have to know who’s No. 1 in the last polls. (1988)
  • The three things that mean the most to me in life are my parents, Casablanca and college football – not necessarily in that order. (1987)
  • You only have to bat a thousand in two things – flying and heart transplants. Everything else you can go four for five. (1988)
  • You’ll never have a 16-team playoff in college football. The most that could happen would be four teams in the next century. But after that, I’m dead, so who cares? (1992)
  • Colleges spend more money on the promotion of the Heisman than the Pentagon spends on toilets. (1990)
  • Argentina invaded the Falklands because they had ESPN and the Argentines wanted to get the late scores. (1986)
  • ESPN is like your family, it’s always there. The networks are like your mother-in-law. They are there on the weekends. (1988)
  • When they list the great thinks of the 20th Century, they’ll say, penicillin, Sophia Loren, jet travel and ESPN. (1992)
  • Known for his fear of flying, he would often point out that the first word you see at an airport is “terminal.”

Cook was graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954 with a bachelor of arts degree. He also served 21 months in the Army, and upon his return, became his alma mater’s sports information director from 1956-1966.

Born September 1, 1931, Cook’s family moved from Boston to Pittsburgh when he was seven. One of his new friends gave him his nickname, “Beano.” Never married, he resided in Pittsburgh the rest of his life.

 

 

 

 

 

5-0 Notre Dame has NBC smiling; Herbstreit says Irish will be in BCS conversation

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Is it time to starting sipping that Irish Kool-Aid? You bet if you’re a TV executive at NBC and ESPN.

A 5-0 start has ratings soaring for Notre Dame’s games on NBC. And with the Irish suddenly relevant, ESPN isn’t wasting any time.The network is hustling Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and the rest of the GameDay crew to South Bend Saturday.

Herbstreit can’t believe it has been seven years since GameDay did a show from Notre Dame.

“It’s been way, way too long since we’ve been there,” Herbstreit said.

NBC also is bulking up. For the first time, NBC Sports’ college football studio show featuring Liam McHugh, Doug Flutie and Hines Ward will go on the road and broadcast on-site from Notre Dame Stadium. Prior to the game, a special NFL Films- produced behind-the-scenes look at Notre Dame Football, Onward Notre Dame: South Bend to Soldier Field, will air at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

With all the pregame build-up, NBC should generate another strong rating for the Irish’s game against Stanford.

Through three games, NBC’s rating is up 45% vs. last year (4.2 million vs. 2.9 million). Primetime coverage of the Miami-Notre Dame from Soldier Field last Saturday night was watched by 3.7 million viewers, up 131% vs. last year’s third game on NBC (Air Force, 1.6 million) and up 76% vs. last year’s second Notre Dame primetime game on NBC (Maryland at FedExField, 2.1 million).

All in all, it’s a huge jump from what NBC faced last fall. Home games against Air Force and Navy only generated a 1.1 rating, a record low for Irish games on the network.

How long has Notre Dame been a relative non-factor? Saturday’s trip will mark GameDay’s first to the Domers since Charlie Weis’ first year in 2005. That’s incredible considering the Irish’s stature in college football.

Naturally, Herbstreit is excited about returning to South Bend.

“It’s awesome,” Herbstreit said. “Any time, Notre Dame is up there in the rankings, it’s good for the sport. They are a polarizing team. You either love them or hate them. For us, for people who love the sport, when you have teams like Notre Dame and USC, Texas, the high profile schools out there that have great years, it makes it a lot of fun.

“Selfishly, to have GameDay back in South Bend, it’s great. It’s nice to see that they have a high-profile game at home. It’ll add to the atmosphere on Saturday. They are very deserving.”

I know it’s early, but I asked Herbstreit if Irish fans can start dreaming about a BCS bowl?

“They took the nation by storm (with the win over Michigan State),” Herbstreit said. “A lot of people walked away from that game saying, ‘Notre Dame is one of the top defenses in the country.’ To follow it up with the way they corraled Denard Robinson, and the way they played against Miami…Their front seven might be playing as well as anyone in the country.

“Without a doubt they will be in discussion for the BCS. Brian Kelly, though, will be the first one to tell you there’s still a long way to go. When you look at who they still have to play, beginning with Stanford….They’re on the road against Oklahoma and USC. Their fans are pointing to those games as three of the most challenging. If they’re able to get able through Stanford, it’s time to start bracing yourself if you’re a Notre Dame fan. Then you’re just a couple games away.”

Of course, it all could slip away with a loss to Stanford Saturday. But who wants to ruin a good story on Wednesday?

Keep sipping that Kool-Aid.

 

 

 

ESPN College GameDay going to Notre Dame Saturday

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Yes, the Irish are 5-0, and ESPN, like everyone else is excited. It will GameDay’s first visit since 2005.

From ESPN:

College GameDay Built by The Home Depot — returning to South Bend, Ind., for the first time since Oct. 15, 2005 — will originate from the site of next Saturday’s matchup of No. 18 Stanford (4-1) at No. 9 Notre Dame (5-0). College GameDay, in its 26th year, will be making its eighth all-time visit to Notre Dame’s campus. The Irish are 3-4 with the GameDay crew on-campus.

The Cardinal are coming off Saturday’s home, overtime win over Arizona (54-48), and the Irish handled Miami, 41-3 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

College GameDay will air live at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNU and 10 a.m. on ESPN with host Chris Fowler, analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack, and host/reporter Samantha Steele and Tom Rinaldi.

Lee Corso is 2-1 in his South Bend-based picks. His one miss came in 1998 when he chose No. 5 Michigan over the No. 24 Irish. His two wins were also with picks against the Irish (Nebraska in 2000 and USC in 2005, in the famous “Bush Push” game).

Corso didn’t make head gear picks in GameDay’s visits from 1993-96. Stanford has not been part of a Corso “headgear game” at Notre Dame.

College notes: Notre Dame delivers big night for NBC; ESPN GameDay at Michigan State-Ohio State

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NBC is happy to see Notre Dame off to a 4-0 start.

From the network:

ND-Mich overnight beat all other college games yesterday.

NBC’s Notre Dame Football game in prime (7:30-11P; #11 ND vs #18 Mich) earned a 4.0, up 48% from its second ND home game on 09/17/11 (3:30-7P; vs Mich St; 2.7), and up 54% from its first ND prime game on 10/22/11 (7:45-11P; vs USC; 2.6).

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From ESPN:

Pack up the trucks and grab a sweater, College GameDay Built by the Home Depot is moving on out of Tallahassee, Fla., and heading to East Lansing, Mich., site of next Saturday’s Ohio State (4-0) vs. Michigan State (3-1) matchup (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC). College GameDay, in its 26th year, will be making its fifth visit all-time to the Spartans’ campus, the most recent being October 22, 2011 when the school hosted then-No. 6 Wisconsin for a 37-31 upset victory.

College GameDay’s first visit to Michigan State was for the October 25, 1997 showdown against in-state and Big Ten rival Michigan, ranked No.5 at the time. The then-ranked No. 14 Spartans lost 23-7.

While Michigan State is 2-3 when GameDay visits, Lee Corso is 4-1 on his winner picks when in East Lansing. Needless to say, Spartans fans should keep fingers crossed Corso spends the week getting fitted for body armor and a helmet.

College GameDay will air live at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNU and 10 a.m. on ESPN with host Chris Fowler, analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack, and host/reporter Samantha Steele.

Past results from GameDay visits to East Lansing:

10/22/11 – (16) Michigan State def. (6) Wisconsin, 37-31

11/9/05 – (5) Penn State def. Michigan State, 22-21

9/18/04 – Notre Dame def. Michigan State, 31-24

10/9/99 – (11) Michigan State def. (3) Michigan, 34-31

10/25/97 – (5) Michigan def. (14) Michigan State, 23-7

 

USC lifts ban on LA Daily News beat writer; Washington lays down its practice policy

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Not a surprise.

From Scott Wolf’s USC blog:

I was informed earlier this evening (Wednesday) that I would be allowed to return to USC football practices after a two-day ban for writing that kicker Andre Heidari underwent knee surgery. Sports editors from the Daily News, Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register spoke with USC athletic director Pat Haden today. Talks continue on the practice policies.

On a related front, it seems Washington also has the same practice policy regarding injuries. Writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times:

Here is the policy as distributed to media today:

“As a condition of entry to UW football practices, all visitors and members of the media are hereforth prohibited from reporting on strategy or injury-related news observed during practices. No players or coaches will have any comments on injuries and any such information.”

UW coach Steve Sarkisian also explained the policy to reporters, saying:

“We’re not going to comment on injuries anymore. I’m not. No one in our organization is. It’s just a competitive disadvantage for us when other teams don’t and we do, so that’s going to be the road we take.”

Later Condotta writes:

Obviously, this leads to some gray areas if we see or hear things outside of practice. We were basically told to assume we shouldn’t report anything at the risk of being barred from practice. We were also told not to answer questions from readers or on message boards, etc., about what we may have seen in practice.

In distributing the policy to reporters, a UW spokesman cited other schools that also have similar policies such as Stanford, USC, Oregon and Washington State and said UW feels it has been put at a competitive disadvantage in talking about injuries previously when those schools do not.

My take: As was the case in LA, it looks as if the sports editors in Seattle need to hold a meeting with the Washington AD and SID to iron out the situation. They can’t allow themselves to be bullied. Their reporters need to be able to report the news.

 

 

 

 

 

Another reason to dislike Lane Kiffin: USC attempts to suspend LA Daily News reporter

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I don’t think this is going to stick with level-headed Pat Haden as the AD. Still, Lane Kiffin is an idiot for doing this.

From Yahoo Sports via the Los Angeles Times:

USC coach Lane Kiffin is once again having a little trouble with the media.

According to the L.A. Times, USC has suspended L.A. Daily News reporter Scott Wolf from two weeks of practices and revoked his credential for the Sept. 22 home game against Cal.

Why?

Because Wolf reported an injury, which is against USC’s policy.

Here is what Wolf wrote:

USC kicker Andre Heidari underwent surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus in his knee and will be sidelined about three weeks.

Heidari suffered the injury in the season opener against Hawaii and did not accompany USC to its game against Syracuse on Saturday. Walk-on Alex Wood filled in for Heidari and kicked six extra points.

Coach Lane Kiffin does not discuss injuries and has not said what sidelined Heidari or when he will return.

And the response from the Daily News:

Gene Warnick, sports editor for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, which includes the Daily News told the Times that he thought the suspension was unwarranted and that he planned to speak with USC athletic director Pat Haden on Wednesday.

“From our standpoint, Scott was doing his job,” Warnick said. “This wasn’t something that was part of practice. We were just trying to report the news.”

 

 

 

TV impact of Notre Dame to ACC: ND-Florida State, Miami football games; ND-Duke, NC in hoops

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Well, this is big.

Notre Dame is joining the ACC in all sports, with the exception of football and hockey. However, the Irish will play 5 football games against ACC teams.

Details still are coming out, but here’s a quick look at the winners and losers from a TV perspective.

Winner: ESPN. With the ACC rights deal running through 2027, the addition of Notre Dame should make for plenty of attractive match-ups on the basketball side. Duke-Notre Dame. North Carolina-Notre Dame. Those games will generate interest.

On the football side, you have to figure at least 2 of those Notre Dame games will be on ACC turf. That gives ESPN/ABC the rights to those games. The networks love Notre Dame.

Winner: Florida State-Notre Dame, Miami-Notre Dame games: You can be sure they will be two of the five ACC games on an annual basis, or close to it. Again, good for ESPN/ABC and NBC.

Winner: NBC. Notre Dame’s football deal with NBC runs through 2015. In June, Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick told the Chicago Tribune’s Brian Hamilton that he was trying to decide whether to negotiate a new deal.

“We’ve had a series of meetings, we’ve exchanged information, and I think we will have a decision to make probably within the next 30 days about all of that,” Swarbrick said in a phone interview Wednesday. “That’s probably the range we’re in … Don’t hold me to 30 (days), but it’s in that window.”

If anything, the ACC deal makes the Notre Dame home TV schedule more attractive with games against FSU and Miami. Look for NBC and the NBC Sports Network, which need a strong college football presence, to seek an extension on a new deal.

Loser: Big Ten. The idea of Notre Dame ever joining the conference was a pipe dream, anyway. However, with the Irish playing five ACC games, will any of its traditional Big Ten match-ups (Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State) come off the schedule? Michigan State actually is off after 2013.

Loser: USC. Is this long-running series in peril? The addition of 5 ACC games means somebody has to go. Remains to be seen.

Loser: Big East. Goes without saying.

 

Just in: Pinkett suspended for three Notre Dame games

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Allen Pinkett should consider himself lucky that he still has a job as a radio analyst for Notre Dame.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Allen Pinkett, the Notre Dame radio commentator who last week said it was good to have a few “criminals” on a football team, has been suspended without compensation for three games.
“After careful deliberation and thorough discussion, we believe the right decision is to allow a truly repentant Allen Pinkett an opportunity to return to the booth beginning with the fourth game of the college football season,”  the Notre Dame IMG Radio Network said in a statement released Tuesday.

“I love this school as much as I love my kids and would never want to compromise the ethics and morals of my alma mater, Notre Dame,” Pinkett said in a statement. “I would again like to offer my most sincere and heartfelt apology to all those affected by my inappropriate comments, particularly the University, the school’s hard-working and courageous student athletes, all Fighting Irish fans and team supporters, our friends at The Ohio State University, and my colleagues at IMG Notre Dame Radio Network.

“This offering of forgiveness is an extremely humbling life lesson.  I will work very hard to make the most of this second chance in representing the high standards and proud tradition of Notre Dame football.”