John Clay’s Sidelines

The web site Wiz of Odds chronicles a growing rift between Mike Leach and his players at Texas Tech, which includes the suspension of a team captain and the ban of Twitter.

Here’s one tweet, from linebacker Marlon Williams, that might have prompted the ban:

“Wondering why I’m still in this meeting room when the head coach can’t even be on time to his on (sic) meeting.”

And here’s the former Kentucky assistant’s reply when asked about the tweet:

“Anybody that’s a malcontent doesn’t stay around here very long, because we’ve got a pretty good line of recruits that are fully willing to replace him. Interestingly enough, he doesn’t have a Twitter page anymore.”

We’re 36 days away from Kentucky’s football opener Sept. 5 against Miami of Ohio in Cincinnati.

The countdown continues.

Today we look back at Hal Mumme’s contoversial and combative staff. The coach’s four-year reign ended badly with not only probation, but with rifts within the football offices.

Whatever happened to those guys?

Here is a where they are now (sort of) with regards to Mumme’s initial staff in 1997:

• Hal Mumme (head coach): In first year as head coach at McMurry, a Division III shool in Abilene, Texas.
• Tom Adams (defensive ends): Adams passed away on August 2, 2006 at age 48 from cancer. He had been a defensive assistant at Baylor.
• Mike Fanoga (defensive tackles): Outside linebackers coach at Wyoming.
• Tony Franklin (running backs): Offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee.
• Tim Keane (cornerbacks): Retired in 2007 after being defensive backs coach at Memphis.
• Mike Leach (receivers): Head coach at Texas Tech.
• Mike Major (defensive coordinator): Assistant football coach at Wharton High School in Texas. Coached the school’s basketball team last two seasons, but stepped down after this past year.
• Guy Morriss (offensive line): In first year as head coach at Texas A&M-Commerce, an FCS Division II school.
• Darrell Patterson (safeties): Running backs coach at Rice.
• Claude Bassett (recruiting coordinator): Defensive coordinator at Seguin High School in Texas.
• Sonny Dykes (graduate assistant): Offensive coordinator at Arizona.
• Chris Hatcher (graduate assistant): Head coach at Georgia Southern.

SEC links for Thursday:

• Mike Herndon of the Press-Register writes that Texas Tech’s Mike Leach sits atop Auburn wish list.

• 

  Tommy Tuberville

  Evan Woodberry of the Mobile Press-Register looks back on the Tommy Tuberville reign at Auburn.

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger tackles speculation that Tuberville could be headed to Starkville as Mississippi State’s next coach.

• In the Montgomery Advertiser, Jay G. Tate gives more Tuberville details.

• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News quotes Bama’s Nick Saban as saying he guesses he’s just a 5-7 away from suffering the same fate as Tuberville.

• On ESPN.com, Ivan Maisel writes that Tuberville ouster merely echoes other SEC changes.

• At CBS Sportsline, Dennis Dodd writes that Auburn is again looking for a great coach — just like the one it had.

• Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley writes that Florida football is looking out for No. 1.

• Mike Organ of the Tennessean reports on Vandy’s embarrassing 19-point home loss to Illinois-Chicago.

• Knoxville News-Sentinel columnist Mike Strange writes on Tyler Smith’s historical triple-double in Tennessee’s win over UNC-Asheville.

• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Ole Miss couldn’t hold on, and ends up losing to visiting West Virginia.

This is why we love e-mail.

This morning, I wrote this column where I described my first meeting with ex-UK assistant and current hotter-than-a-firecracker Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach.

This afternoon, Joe sent the following e-mail:

Knoxville is a Waffle House

SEC links for Tuesday:

Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean reports that UT’s freshman point guard is academically ineligible.

Maurice Patton reports in the Tennessean that Vandy may swap starters at quarterback.

Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida still feels Steve Spurrier’s presence.

In The State, Joe Person writes that quarterback Stephen Garcia is learning to deal with Spurrier’s criticism.

Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times writes that Alabama AD Mal Moore is living in a dream.

Ray Melick of the Birmingham News addresses the variables in the BCS.

Tennessean columnist Joe Biddle writes that Tennessee players have surrendered without a fight.

Knoxville News-Sentinel columnist John Adams writes that Mike Leach is strong where Vols are weakest.

In the St. Petersburg Times, Bucs coach Jon Gruden says he’s not interested in Tennessee job.

In the AJC, Chip Towers writes that Georgia’s offensive line takes another hit.

Closing down the Tennessee coaching poll, where this blog’s readers, anyway, think Tennessee should go after ex-UK assistant Mike Leach, now coach of the pass-happy, game-winning Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Who should be Tennessee’s next football coach? The results:

• Mike Leach 49
• None of the above 25
• Lane Kiffin 16
• Butch Davis 16
• Brian Kelly 10
• Jim Grobe 7
• Chris Peterson 6
• Garry Patterson 2

There’s a new poll question up: What chance does UK have of beating Georgia on Saturday?

Join in.