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Here’s to the $40 million mulligan for Penn State

Virginia Tech made headlines by hiring James Franklin as its next football coach because nothing screams “fresh start” like picking up a guy who was fired just over a month ago. Soon after the announcement came, Franklin addressed the press in Blacksburg, Virginia to explain why this is such a great idea. The Virginia Tech signing was a significant financial windfall for Penn State as the university will avoid paying approximately $40 million that was originally tied to Franklin’s buyout clause that was one of the largest in college football history. After a lackluster ...

Mailbag: Kraft underestimated removing ‘glue’

Penn State football, head coaches and running a business — yes, they actually tie together. I get asked almost daily what I think about the Penn State football situation, so here we go. Let’s start with my qualifications. For starters, I’ve probably missed three games since 1972. More importantly, while I did not complete a pass as the 13-year-old starting quarterback for the Curtis Park 12-and-under team, I did parlay that role into an assistant coaching job under Coach Mark Nartatez and then into a head-coaching role. Our secret? Aggressive out-of-town recruiting ...

Thankful for much, especially football

While pondering whether the Pilgrims and Native Americans engaged in any type of athletic competition while celebrating that first Thanksgiving in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, it is time once again to express gratitude for all the happiness that our love of sports has manifested this ...

BG soccer makes community proud

As I age it seems obvious that I have mellowed, with, no doubt, more room to grow. At this time, if I may be so bold as to concede, I would like to tip my hat to the 2025 girls soccer team at Bishop Guilfoyle Academy. Yes, my granddaughter Jenna was a gainful contributor, but this past soccer season proved full team worthy. This team advanced to the state championship game, which ended in a heartbreaking loss for these girls, but each and everyone associated with this team (players, coaches, administrators, fellow student supporters, parents and grandparents) can hold their ...

Mailbag: Rodgers jeopardizing Steelers’ hopes

Following Alex Trebek’s passing in 2020, a variety of guest hosts, including Ken Jennings, Mayim Bialik and Aaron Rodgers filled in as temporary hosts on “Jeopardy.” Eventually, executives chose to stick with Jennings as a permanent host. Personally, I thought Rodgers did an admirable ...

Probing the business of buyouts in college football

Through week 10 of the college football season, the ledger on what universities owe their former coaches in buyouts was nearly $185 million. It all commenced in week three when Virginia Tech decided to fire head coach Brent Pry, who was owed a buyout of $6 million. Not to be outdone, UCLA followed suit, dismissing DeShaun Foster and incurring a $6.43 million tab. By week four, Oklahoma State joined the fray, cutting ties with Mike Gundy at a cost of $15 million. Week five brought Arkansas into the spotlight, as Sam Pittman’s exit added another $8.7 million to the coaching ...