5 out of 119 ... still appalling

This won't quiet the Floyd Keith and the Black Coaches and Administrators, but the timing is interesting. Just one day after announcing it was building a case to potentially bring litigation against colleges and universities who appear to keep passing on black coaches in favor of white coaches, Eastern Michigan is set to announce Ron English as its next head coach.

By hiring English, the number of black head coaches is still an appalling five out of 119 at Football Bowl Subdivision schools.

This is a great move by the Eagles. English, who is 40, was an outstanding defensive coordinator under Lloyd Carr at the University of Michigan, before spending this past season at Louisville. He did well at first with the Cardinals, but injuries ravaged his defensive unit down the stretch and UL was torched by West Virginia (35-21) and Rutgers (63-14).

Eastern Michigan gets a hard-working coach who should be able to recruit the state well and get EMU to a competitive level in the Mid-American Conference. As I mentioned yesterday, this is a great opportunity for English to build the program and enhance his reputation before looking for the big-time job.

Now it's time for others institutions to recognize other qualified black candidates and give them a chance.

Will it really help?

I was ready to write about HBO's new documentary, "Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football," which premiered earlier this week. The hour-long special is a gritty look at the challenges African-Americans faced getting accepted into college football--especially in the South.

Not that I consider myself an expert on the history of racism in college athletics, but I was shocked at how much I learned while watching it the other night. Following the episode I felt more enlightened and proud of the progress that has been made.

Then came today's news. Floyd Keith, the executive director of the Black Coaches and Administrators, is building a Civil Rights violation case against all of the colleges and universities who are still slow to hire African Americans as head football coaches.

Keith told The Associated Press: "I think someone is going to get tired of listening to the excuses. We're giving them (the coaches) every opportunity, but we can't select the individuals. The individuals have to bring this forward. We are looking very strongly at every case, and we're taking it on an individual basis."

But will it really work? Or help?

Seems Keith and the BCA need a sacrificial lamb to take the lead. A black coach who is willing to give up his dream so others can successfully follow. The BCA has said it needs someone like Curt Flood in the 1960s who challenged Major League Baseball. While Floyd was ostracized by management his fight led to free agency.

But who will step up? Turner Gill? Don't count on it. Gill is still in line to be one of the hot coaches in 2009. Others possibilities? Michigan OC Calvin Magee, Florida DC Charlie Strong or Ole Miss DC Tyrone Nix. Probably not since all are well-paid coordinators with much to lose. It will take someone who's not on the coaching radar with a lot less to lose.

The BCA recently opened a national telephone hotline that offers legal advice to coaches, a move the organization believes could eventually lead to a landmark case against universities under civil rights legislation.

One bit of advice that could be useful is something I read by Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock. His theory on how to be a successful coach is for, "Top-flight black BCS assistant coaches should be targeting mid-major head-coaching jobs. The MAC, Sun Belt, Mountain West and Conference USA are good proving grounds for future BCS coaches."

It has worked for Gill and could work for many more. Guiding coaches to the right job is something the BCA has tried to do. Now they just need more ADs willing to take a chance on these proven, African American coaches.

The time is right for more drastic measures. Just wish it didn't have to involve the legal system. Guess there's still hope.

We hardly knew ye

Robert Marve, another all-everything quarterback coming out of high school, may be done at the University Miami. It's been rumored that Marve, from Tampa, was transferring to South Florida.

On Thursday, he told the Associated Press that he won't be playing in the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 27 when the Hurricanes (7-5) play California (8-4) because he violated "team academic rules." That's a nice way of saying he didn't go to class.

Marve's career was derailed when he was seriously hurt in a car accident before his first practice. After sitting out last season, Marve earned the starting job over true freshman Jacory Harris. However, Randy Shannon may not be that upset to see Marve fade away as Harris performed better this season and he may have favored him over Marve next fall.

While Marve started the final 11 games, Harris played in all 12 games. Marve completed nearly 55 percent of his passes for 1,293 yards and nine touchdowns. Harris, who threw about 50 fewer passes, completed 61 percent for 1,001 yards and 10 scores.

While I've been a big Marve fan, he didn't show signs of improving at all this season. Harris, on the other hand, got better each week and played like a champion. This is the best scenario for Miami.

It could also work out well for Marve if he truly goes to USF, where he could sit out next season as Matt Grothe plays his final season as the Bulls quarterback. Not the storybook career Marve was looking for, but there's still time for a few good chapters.

Bowl Preview: Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl

Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
BYU vs. Arizona
Date: Dec. 20
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Arizona –3

About Arizona: The Wildcats are coached by Mike Stoops, or as he’s known in the family, “The Ugly One.” Stoops finally got the Cats to a bowl game this year, saving his job. He relies on a sucky offense and a porous defense. Get ready for about 70 wide receiver screens. That’s the only play I’ve ever seen them run.

Intangibles:
Tucson: +3
Lute Olson controversy: -3
Women’s softball: +4
Torturous summer: -8


About BYU: I can officially say I have been to Provo, Utah now and let me tell you – it’s got a small mountain AND a football stadium. That’s pretty much it. It’s not quite the same as Las Vegas. I wonder if strip clubs are against the BYU code of conduct. Probably not. “Happy Birthday, Jesus! Oh crap, I’m out of ones.”

Intangibles:
Magic underwear: +7
Tabernacle choir: +4
No caffeine: -9


Impact Player: The BYU quarterback. What’s his name? Robbie Bosco or something? Hell, I don’t know. They’re all the damn same. 6-1, mediocre, accurate arm, at least 26 years old because they’ve been in Australia for four years. Suck if they’re hit or there’s any kind of pass rush. Been that way for 10 years. Who coaches that team anyway? The ghost of Lavell Edwards?

Bowl slogan: “Is that your quarter? It’s mine now, sucker.”

Little known fact: Legendary entertainer David Hasselhoff will sing the National Anthem at this year’s game. Nope. I’m not even making this one up.

Watchability (1-5): 10 (just for Hasselhoff anthem) then 3.5

The Pick: BYU 34, Arizona 20

Bowl Preview: magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl

The magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.
South Florida vs. Memphis
Date: Dec. 20
Time: 4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Line: South Florida –12.5

About South Florida: A mere 12 years ago, the South Florida Bulls didn’t exist. Now, in 2008, coach Jim Leavitt has yelled them all the way into that bowl game down the street. Known as the Ron Zook of west Florida, Leavitt believes no cliché is too worn, no sentiment too tired to motivate his group of players who couldn’t get accepted into actual schools. You had them at “Hey, you!” Jim.

Intangibles:
Home field advantage of Tropicana Field: -1
Beaches: +4
Better than Gainesville: +5
Rays tickets still easy to get: +6

About Memphis: At 6-6 with impressive wins over Nicholls State and Arkansas State, there’s little doubt the Tigers belong in a bowl game. Wait, WHAT? This team lost to frickin’ Marshall for God’s sake. I refuse to watch this game for my own mental health.


Intangibles:
Barbecue: +45
Crime: -21
Graceland: -5
Graceland while drunk: +12
“Walking in Memphis”: -4

Impact player: USF defensive end George Selvie. Think of the last great player named George. My pick? George Rogers of South Carolina. Did you see him at the Heisman ceremony? He wore some kind of giant, plaid tent.

Bowl slogan: “Come for the beaches, stay for the seafood and for God’s sake, skip the football.”

Little known fact: St. Petersburg is to Tampa Bay as Roger Clinton is to Bill Clinton. (There ain’t as much difference as you’d think.)

Watchability (1-5): -4.8

The Pick: South Florida 31, Memphis 4

Bowl preview: New Mexico Bowl

New Mexico Bowl
University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.
Fresno State vs. Colorado State
Date: Dec. 20
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Fresno State –3

About Fresno State: Fresno State Pat Hill has a bad-ass fu-man-chu and likes to spout off “anybody, any time, anywhere” about his non-conference schedule. You will notice the word “win” is conspicuously absent from that creed. Being from the general Fresno area, you might assume the Bulldogs roster is full of meth dealers and thugs. Yes. Yes it is.

Intangibles:
Unexplainable green “V” on back of helmet: +2 points
Named “sleeper” team every preseason since 1997: +5 points
Fail to live up to “sleeper” pick every season since 1997: -8 points
Almost beat team from every BCS conference: 0 points

About Colorado State: CSU is not coached by Sonny Lubick anymore which is too bad, cause that’s a cool name. Now, it’s some guy name Steve or Todd or Bob Fairchild. Not as good. The Rams are bowl eligible thanks to a scintillating 23-20 win over Sacramento State and finished the season on a red-hot two-game win streak.

Intangibles:
Located in Colorado: +3
Part of Colorado without mountains: -4
Ram horns on helmet: +2
Had that guy name Bradlee Van Pelt a few years ago: +6

Impact player: Fresno State QB Tom Brandstater. The announcers will tell you what a great NFL prospect is if he just became a little more consistent. Right. And David Carr’s going to the Pro Bowl.

Bowl slogan: “New Mexico; Remember that time you drove through us on the way to the Grand Canyon?”

Little Known Fact: University Stadium seats 42,000 people or 3/4 of New Mexico’s population.

Watchability scale (1-5): 1.5

The Pick: Fresno State 27, Colorado State 12

Bowl Preview: Eaglebank Bowl

EagleBank Bowl
RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
Navy vs. Wake Forest
Date: Dec. 20
Time: 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Wake Forest -3

About Navy: The Naval Academy lost successful coach Paul Johnson to Georgia Tech and replaced him with a Hawaiian guy with a really long name but not that one that played for the Steelers. They are very similar to every other Navy team of the past 20 years in that I can’t really name a single player and they don’t suck, but I know nothing beyond that.

Intangibles:
Run the Option +4 points
Traditional Unis: +5 points
Serve country: +7 points
“An Officer and a Gentleman” dress whites: +2 points
Tom Cruise shirtless Top Gun volleyball game: -6 points

About Wake Forest: A tiny Baptist school located somewhere in North Carolina, Wake Forest has risen to what it considers “prominence” thanks to coach Jim Grobe. Wake Forest won the ACC last year and played in a BCS bowl. The ACC. The Atlantic Coast Conference. Yes, they play football too. And Boston College is in it. I’im serious. No, I don’t know why.

Intangibles:
Nickname: Demon Deacons +7
Religion: Baptists +4 for enthusiasm
Tuition: $47,551 –105


Impact player: Wake Forest QB Riley Skinner. Cool name, dude. I’m pretty sure he was Donna’s boyfriend in the original 90210.

Bowl Slogan: “EagleBank, we’re pretty sure we’re still in business!”

Little Known Fact: Navy beat Wake Forest earlier this year in a game almost no one noticed.

Little Known Fact #2: Washington D.C., RFK Stadium is the only venue in the country that requires a tetanus shot before entry.

Watchability scale (1-5, 1 CSI: Miami; 5 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia): 2

The Pick: Wake Forest 32, Navy 22