Inbounds with Mac McDonald - July 26
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July 26, 2004
Should college football coaches around the country be accountable for their votes in the ESPN Top 25 poll? That is just one of the issues that has hit the table at the 33rd Annual Atlantic Coast Conference Pre-Season Football Kick-Off in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since the Bowl Championship Series has now put more weight in both the coaches’ poll and the media poll some writers feel the coaches and sportswriters votes should be made public.
During a meeting of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association, Caulton Tudor, long time columnist with the Raleigh News and Observer, said that ACSMA should lead the way in demanding a public count.
“I think now, more than ever, people who are helping decide the BCS with their weekly votes need to be held accountable revealing what teams they are voting for,” Tudor told the organization.
Sixty-three coaches and about 70 sportswriters vote every week during the season. One of the rubs, at least when you talk about the coaches, is that during the week-end they are so wrapped own in their own programs that they really don’t get much of a chance to see other teams across the country play. Tudor felt it would be a great idea for the ACC to lead the way in pushing for this legislation. Stay tuned.
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Chris Canty, Virginia’s senior All America candidate at defensive end sat down with the writers and broadcasters Sunday and told the room he had an opening statement.
“I just want everyone to know, our defense will not be one of the best in the country by the end of the year…but we will be the best in the country at the end of the season.”
“We’ve come a long way, and the days of four and five loss seasons at Virginia are over,” Canty said. “I remember playing as a freshman, and I barely could get on the field. When you look at what some of our first year guys have done is just amazing, but it speaks volumes about who we are bringing into the program now.”
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During the Kick-Off dinner last night ACC Commissioner John Swofford introduced and welcomed the league’s newest members…Virginia Tech and Miami. Most of the Tech coaches dressed in black, while the Hurricanes’ staff looked like they just left a party at South Beach. Miami head coach, Larry Coker, surrounded by Virginia media, said the hardest part about coming into the league is getting used to the other teams.
“We don’t have a lot of film on ACC teams except Florida State of course,” Coker said. “I look at this league and man, what a bunch of great coaches. From top to bottom this is a great league especially with NFL guys like Al (Groh) and Chan (Gailey).”
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The University of Maryland has dissed Nike to a certain degree, and the leading shoe and apparel company is not too happy about it. The Terps wore Nike from top to bottom the past few years, but are now switching to Under Armour jerseys, pants and underwear. Under Armour, a Baltimore based company that has produced a terrific line of athletic clothing that draws moisture from the body, is owned by a former Terrapin football walk on. Nike offered a small king’s ransom to buy the company but was turned away. Under Armour’s national television campaign has also featured Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen as well as former UVA wide receiver Ryan Sawyer. One Terp assistant said that the team was still wearing Nike shoes…but they have become tougher to get.
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Florida State has produced wide receivers like the New York Yankees have built home run hitters. Craphonso Thorpe, The ‘Noles fastest player running a 4.2 40, broke his leg in FSU’s game with NC State last November 15th. He is in his 8th month of rehab and proclaimed himself 100% yesterday. Thorpe has also put on 14 pounds of muscle, dropped his body fat, and told the media Florida State’s offense will be “lethal”.
“One reason…our quarterback Chris Rix is now acting like a senior.”
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Coaches speak Monday.