What cities watch the most ESPN college football? Al.com (Alabama’s leading online source for news) had an interesting article on ESPN’s top college football markets for the 2012 season. To no one’s surprise seven of the top 10 were in the South. For the 12th straight season, Birmingham, Ala., was No. 1.
The results were as follows: Birmingham, Ala. 8.9, Greenville, S.C. 4.7, Knoxville, Tenn. 4.6, New Orleans 3.7, Jacksonville, Fla., 3.6 Columbus, Ohio 3.6, Atlanta 3.5, Oklahoma City 3.4, Nashville, Tenn. 3.3 and Memphis, Tenn. 3.1. These results are a great example of why the SEC is starting its own network in the next two years.
BRUMBAUGH BACK: Former Auburn star Jimmy Brumbaugh is back in the SEC. Brumbaugh, who was an outstanding defensive lineman for the Tigers, has been hired to coach the Kentucky defensive line. Brumbaugh, who went to Keystone Heights (Fla.) High School, was the defensive line coach at East Mississippi Community College, in Scooba, Miss. EMCC has three top defensive line prospects who are expected to sign with major colleges when the junior college signing period begins Dec. 19. Brumbaugh might be able to bring one or all three of them to Kentucky.
KINGSBURY OUT OF THE SEC: The SEC lost one of its most promising assistant coaches when Kliff Kingsbury replaced Tommy Tuberville at Texas Tech. Kingsbury did not get enough credit for developing Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M.
MORRIS TRENDING UP: Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris, who might be another star head coach in the making, also interviewed for the Texas Tech job. Clemson’s offense has set numerous school records while winning 10 games in consecutive seasons with Morris at the helm of the offense.
CHANEY NOW A RAZORBACK: Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has been hired by Arkansas coach Bret Bielema as the Razorbacks’ new offensive coordinator. Chaney spent the past four years as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Tennessee ranked second in the SEC in total offense, averaging 475.9 yards per game this past season. Chaney has a reputation for being one of the funniest assistants in the league.
FREEZE REWARDED: Ole Miss officials announced Thursday afternoon that coach Hugh Freeze’s contract would be extended through 2016, the maximum allowed by state law, and his annual salary will increase from $1.5 million to $2 million. Freeze did a commendable job in his first year. He is putting pressure on Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen in the race for the best program in the state. Southern Miss, the third program in the state, should be elevated greatly by the recent hire of former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
GRIFFIN OUT FOR BOWL GAME: Mississippi State sophomore backup running back Nick Griffin tore the ACL in his right knee in bowl practice. He rushed for 223 yards and a touchdown, averaging seven yards per carry. Freshman running back Josh Robinson, who ran for 244 yards and a touchdown, is expected to fill in for Griffin against Northwestern.
On a brighter note, the Clarion-Ledger is reporting that the Gator Bowl will allow State fans to bring cowbells into the stadium at EverBank Field in Jacksonville on Jan. 1.
GATOR RECRUITING: Florida coach Will Muschamp’s 2013 recruiting class is going to be a top five class across the board. On Wednesday, Muschamp picked up one of the biggest offensive commitments of his two-year tenure at Florida when Fort Valley (Ga.) Peach County Rivals100 wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (6-2, 200) switched his verbal commitment from Clemson to Florida. Robinson gives Florida one of the top receiving classes in the entire nation and helps fulfill one of the biggest needs on the team.
TUNSIL A TARGET: Five-star Lake City, Fla., offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (6-6, 295) has had plenty of company this week. FSU assistant coaches Odell Haggins and Rick Trickett visited on Monday. Tunsil expects to make his official visit the first weekend in February, which would be the final weekend before signing day. FSU, Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss are his final four teams. All four teams will get official visits. Alabama assistants Jeremy Pruitt and head coach Nick Saban were scheduled to visit on Wednesday. On Thursday, the entire offensive coaching staff from Georgia was expected to drop by for an in-home visit.
FSU STAFF CHANGES: Florida State assistant coach Eddie Gran has left to be the offensive coordinator at Cincinnati with Tommy Tuberville. Gran was the Bearcats receivers coach in 1992-93. He also interviewed for the Arkansas State head coaching job.
Another Nole assistant, Dameyune Craig, is being reported as a possibility for Gus Malzahn’s staff at Auburn or possibly Butch Jones’ staff at Tennessee.
Former FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops has hired former Seminoles defensive end coach D. J. Elliot on his staff at Kentucky.
Coachingsearch.com has reported Jimbo Fisher targeting Alabama’s Pruitt and possibly Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to fill the defensive coordinator position. Pruitt is scheduled to interview Friday. According to Tidesports.com, Pruitt has been Alabama’s secondary coach since 2010, when he was promoted to coach defensive backs from a role as Alabama’s Director of Player Development. He has a reputation as a strong recruiter, having been named the Recruiter of the Year in the Southeastern Conference by ESPN. He has strong recruiting ties in the Mobile area and has effectively recruited the Florida Panhandle as well, having played a key role in Alabama signing running back T.J. Yeldon of Daphne, and Eddie Williams of Panama City, Fla.
BERNARD LEAVING: North Carolina announced running back Giovani Bernard will enter the 2013 NFL draft. I’m really sorry to see him leave the ACC. Bernard may have been the best offense player in the ACC this past season.