National titles may scare away talent
Posted: Thursday August 13, 1998 05:30 PM
Is it possible that winning a national title scares away more talent than it attracts? Florida State has only five fifth-year seniors left from the class Bobby Bowden signed after the Seminoles' national championship.
After Colorado won it all in 1990, the Buffaloes signed quarterback Kordell Stewart and linebacker Ted Johnson and not much else.
The following year, No. 1 Washington brought in defensive back Lawyer Milloy and linebacker Ink Aleaga -- and not much else.
Five years after Alabama finished No. 1, the Crimson Tide went 4-7. The lone exception to this pattern seems to be Nebraska, still rolling along with three of the last four titles.
Still, the Seminoles are getting some welcome help in the secondary from two guys getting a second chance. Safety Sean Key, suspended from school last year after a fraternity-party fight, has made restitution and will push starter Derrick Gibson for playing time. Cornerback Mario Edwards, who was thrown out of school after an altercation with his former girlfriend, re-qualified academically and will back up starters Tay Cody and Troy Saunders.
Best young head coaches
You want to know the location of the best young head coaches in the game?
Try Conference USA, where Jeff Bower of Southern Mississippi, Tommy Bowden of Tulane and Steve Logan of East Carolina are proving that it's possible to win without TV exposure and luxury-box revenue.
Both Bower and Bowden turned down jobs at bigger schools to stay where they are -- at least for a while. And don't forget Bob Sutton, coach of the league's newest member, Army. Sutton led the Cadets to a remarkable 10-win season just two years ago.
Bouncing back with extension help
What do Rick Neuheisel of Colorado, Brad Scott of South Carolina and Tommy West of Clemson all have in common?
Yes, they are all coming off disappointing seasons. But all three were also given contract extensions during the off season. Let's hear it for athletic directors who don't knee-jerk a coach out of his job just because the fans expect 10 wins a year.
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