Reds
Reds lost out on Revere, now trying for Fowler
CBS Sports
It should come as no surprise to hear that the Reds tried for Ben Revere before he was traded from the Twins to the Phillies. They did try, according to sources.
It should come as no surprise that the Reds have talked to the Rockies about Dexter Fowler. They have talked, sources say, although with what the Rockies have been asking for Fowler (middle-of-the-rotation pitching), it's not clear that a deal can get done.
How a Fowler trade could work
Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports
The foundation of a deal could involve players from the Reds’ major-league roster – but not right-hander Homer Bailey, who is unlikely to be moved, sources say.
Two obvious candidates for the Rockies would be right-hander Mike Leake, who is losing his spot in the Reds’ rotation to lefty Aroldis Chapman, and center fielder Drew Stubbs, who would lose his job to Fowler.

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UC football
New Tennessee bio page for Butch Jones

Video: Whit Babcock football press conference

Hoard: "We will survive and thrive"--Babcock

Talking to Butch
I talked with Butch this morning. He told me: "It was hard, but I could not turn that one down."
My Tweets from Whit Babcock's press conference (@lancemcalister)
Today is a tough day for the Bearcats-Whit Babcock
Whit said:
made every effort to keep him, but ultimately he chose Tennessee
will hear more about plans for Nippert in next few days
we’re aggressive in trying to keep him. Offer presented prior to any other offers by other schools.
5 other BCS schools inquired about Butch after S Fla game
Last year Jones turned down several jobs without interviews
UC $ offer to Butch was significantly more than current deal…Bearcats
You would be shocked by what Colorado offered him
Did we offer to match CU….not necessarily
met with But h and wife yesterday.
Says UT AD was only AD to call and ask for permission to talk…calls it a lost etiquette
Says believes Butch turned down CU before he had any knowledge of UT job
Butch called at 5:15am to tell Whit was taking UT and then met with team at 7:30
Chance new coach could coach bowl game. Working on list since August….putting names on, taking names off.
The right hire is better than the quickest hire. Not trying to win press conference with next hire…but winning game
Next time you will hear from me is when I announce the next coach.
received incredible interest in job already. If every fan that has called, tweeted or text about Butch, we’d sold our allotment of Belk Bowl tix
We will be ok and come out stronger for this
Help us make a statement that we are more than a coach
Said fans can turn away from program or help
Pres Santa Ono told players he has their back and is proud of them
Ono 2 players: I too am hurt/disappointed, but we will move on. You have no bigger fan than I am. will continue to fight for you

Butch Jones Resigns As Football Head Coach
CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati football head coach Butch Jones resigned his position, effective immediately, director of athletics Whit Babcock announced Friday.
Babcock will address the media at a press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. ET Friday in the Richard E. Lindner Center in Varsity Village.
"I would like to thank Butch Jones for his time at the University of Cincinnati,” Babcock said. “With that said, we are excited about the future of this program and this job will be extremely attractive nationally. Our search will begin immediately.”
Babcock did not specify a time frame for concluding the search
Jones, who was named the head coach at UC on Dec. 16, 2009, holds a 50-27 career mark, a 32-12 record in conference play, has five bowl appearances and four league championships to his credit in six seasons as a collegiate head coach. He was 23-14 at UC, guiding the Bearcats to back-to-back BIG EAST Conference Championships in 2011 and 2012 and was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 2011. In 2011, UC was the only program nationally to win both its conference championship as well as the league’s team academic award.
UC was also the most improved NCAA FBS AQ team in 2011, finishing with a 10-3 mark and a Top-25 final ranking, as well as returning to postseason play, knocking of SEC foe Vanderbilt in the 2011 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the program’s first bowl win over a BCS opponent.
"It's our job to make sure our football program continues to operate at a high level,” Babcock said. “It is also our responsibility to make sure our student-athletes, especially our 24 seniors playing in their final game as Bearcats, have a great experience in the Belk Bowl. We will do everything we can to make that happen"
Steve Stripling, a 30-year coaching veteran who joined the UC staff in 2010 was named interim head coach. The 2012 Belk Bowl will mark the 23rd bowl game Stripling has played or coached in throughout his career. He led Central Michigan to a 44-41 double-overtime win over Troy in the 2010 GMAC Bowl. Stripling was the Bearcats Assistant Head Coach and defensive line coach.

Here is one reason Butch Jones is going to UT

5 reasons why Tennessee is the best available coaching job in America

Little things add up to big decisions for Jones
Dennis Janson, WCPO
These are just three incidents I'm aware of. Who knows how many more inconveniences, slights, discourtesies and downright indignities Jones, his staff and players have been subjected to by the powers that be at the University, who couch all of their actions as being in the best interests of the student/athletes.
Bull-feathers.
Only after the ACC train was pulling out of the station did anyone realize that presuming an invitation was forthcoming, wasn't remotely the same as actively courting inclusion.
In light of all the intrigue surrounding his career move, Coach Jones would only say, "I'm very disappointed in a lot of people here whom I thought I could trust."
Some candidates to replace Jones:

Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State defensive coordinator Bio

Greg Studrawa, LSU offensive coordinator Bio

Brent Pease, Florida offensive coordinator/WR coach Bio

Chuck Martin, Notre Dame offensive coordinator/QB coach Bio

Bob Diaco, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bio

Kerry Coombs, Ohio State defensive backs coach Bio

Dave Clawson, Bowling Green head coach Bio

Pete Lembo, Ball State coach Bio

Matt Campbell, Toledo football coach Bio

Hue Jackson, Bengals assistant coach Bio
Interivewed for UC job when Mark Dantonio left.

Luke Fickell, Ohio State defensive coordinator Bio

John Elway message could not sway Butch Jones
Butch Jones chosen Big East Coach of Year
What staying Strong means to U of L
WDRB
Not only does U of L athletic director retain a popular coach, but makes the kind of statement about his program that no amount of marketing can buy.
Former U of L football coach Howard Schnellenberger, in many ways the father of U of L's program, sat in the WDRB sports department this afternoon even as Strong was holding a meeting with his players. When asked if he ever thought he'd see the day when a coach turned down Tennessee to stay at Louisville, he laughed out loud.
"No," he said, shaking his head.

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Bengals
Green-Ellis finally emerging
Fox Sports
Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden thinks it's a matter of Green-Ellis settling in behind a new offensive line that was in flux because of injuries early in the season.

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NFL
Goodell mulling over ideas to eliminate the kickoff
NFL.com

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Cool event