There’s just one more week left in the college football regular season. That means there’s a lot of end-of-season type news churning. Let’s take a look at everything that’s happened since the end of Saturday’s action.
No Homecoming
Efforts by Rutgers to re-hire former coach Greg Schiano have reportedly failed. The Scarlet Knights are in desperate need of a coach who can rebuild the program, which has been a doormat since joining the Big Ten in 2014.
Schiano would appear to be the perfect candidate, having already transformed Rutgers from basement dweller of the Big East to a respectable program. In fact, the sides reportedly agreed on a $4 million annual salary. However, things fell apart on issues that went beyond Schiano’s salary.
According to reports, Schiano wanted an eight-year deal rather than the six-year deal that was offered. He also wanted the ability to walk away without penalty if the school didn’t upgrade its facilities by 2023. Schiano also asked for unlimited access to a private jet and a larger salary pool for assistant coaches.
Rutgers was unwilling to meet their former coach on these kinds of demands, causing talks to fall apart.
Mass Exodus
As it stands, Rutgers doesn’t know who its head coach will be in 2020, and several players aren’t waiting to find out. Several Scarlet Knights have already put their names into the transfer portal and will be looking for a new home this offseason.
Quarterback Artur Sitzkowski, wide receiver Jalen Jordan, and running back Elijah Barnwell are among the notable Rutgers players who are ready to leave the program. The Scarlet Knights are 2-9 this season with wins over Massachusetts and Liberty. They’ll finish the season Saturday against Penn State.
Get Out!
UNLV has announced that it will part ways with head coach Tony Sanchez after the season. Sanchez has coached the Rebels for five seasons after a successful stint at prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman, which is located outside Las Vegas.
However, Sanchez has struggled to gain traction with UNLV, going 19-40, including a 12-27 record in Mountain West play. The 3-8 Rebels play their season finale this week against Nevada, which will be Sanchez’s last game as head coach.
So It Ends
Elsewhere in the Mountain West, New Mexico has also decided to part ways with head coach Bob Davie in a move that appears to be mutual. The former Notre Dame coach has spent the last eight seasons with the Lobos, going 35-63.
New Mexico is currently 2-9 and winless in the Mountain West this season, making it clear to both sides that it’s time for a change.
Good Luck, Young Man
On a somber note, Minnesota holder Casey O’Brien is set to undergo surgery this week after doctors spotted a suspicious spot on a scan of his lungs. O’Brien has survived four bouts of cancer starting at age 13.
He has gone through countless surgeries and chemotherapy treatments and continues to stay positive, tweeting: “Ready to go 1-0 in this surgery season!” His Minnesota teammates will play Wisconsin this weekend in a game that will determine the Big Ten West Division.
