The big news yesterday was another one of Urban's assistants being poached. First JMU snagged Everett Withers, and yesterday it was announced Mike Vrabel will be heading to Houston to coach linebackers under new frontman Bill O'Brien. (No, this doesn't mean Fickell is on his way out the door.)
I'm sure O'Brien was delighted enough to earn Vrabel's services, but taking a star recruiter from the same guy who decimated O'Brien's Penn State team had to be the icing on the cake. Happy Trails to the venerable Mike Vrabel.
Our Jeremy Birmingham broke down the immediate impact on the recruiting trail.
BRAXTON BACK. To soften the gut-punch of losing Mike Vrabel, Ohio State announced Braxton Miller will return his senior season. Here's one of a handful future preseason Heisman favorites:
“I want to help this team win a Big Ten championship next year. Plus, I want to improve as a quarterback in all aspects of my game. I’m looking forward to working for another year with Coach Meyer and Coach Herman. And I want to graduate, so this will help get me closer to my academic goal.”
Agreed, Braxton. Let's restore Ohio State football to its proper place on the throne the Big Ten. I'll handle the words on the internet, bud. (I got this.) The rest is up to you.
PAGING JIMMY HASLAM. Jimmy Haslam could be headed to federal prison later this year, but before he is (hopefully) dragged away by federal bailiffs, he should pay attention to Jim Tressel's words from yesterday's Bishop and Rothman Show on 97.1:
Tress 'I have not had discussion with Cleveland doesnt meant I dont have interest in NFL'
— BEAU BISHOP (@BeauBishop) January 9, 2014
As a Browns fan, we will never get lucky enough to have Jim Tressel — swagger on ten hundred thousand and orange sweater vest blazin' — coach our sorry ass team. Take a bow, Jimmy Haslam. You've earned it.
Tom Herman and Braxton Miller: one last ride.TOM HERMAN STAYING. There had been vicious rumors Tom Herman would be named as Charlie Strong's offensive coordinator at Texas. Thankfully, Texas isn't going that direction.
CBS' Bruce Feldman — who also broke news Penn State is expected to name James Frankin as their next football coach — reported yesterday there is no truth to rumors of Herman joining Vrabel on the next flight to Texas.
So this means Ohio State fans will be #blessed enough to enjoy one last year of Tom Herman and Braxton Miller. (Luckily for Herman, there won't be a rolling ball of butcher's knives to ignore in big games' final minutes.)
SHAZIER OUT HERE PEARLIN'. Another person who won't be returning to Ohio State is linebacker Ryan Damn Shazier. What's he up to these days? Why, enjoying the first fruits of his labor:
Damn, young fellah, take it easy on 'em!
I also love the seasick haters clamoring in the comments of this photo thinking Ryan Shazier had some million dollar slush fund he's now blowing. Apparently they don't know how agents and advances work.
THOSE WMDs. Columbus is getting more protected bike lanes... William Harley and Arthur Davidson, 1914... DeShaun Thomas, David Lighty and Je'Kel Foster all play for the same Euro League team... A lake in the Alps... The FBI is being sued by Juggalos... Remarkable lost-at-sea story... Some sobering findings about literacy among college athletes... Photo of St. John Arena under construction... 1960's photo of the beautiful St. John Arena... Who is the heir to Johnny Football's throne?... See a polar bear cub take its first steps... USA Today writer says James Franklin shouldn't have been hired by Penn State... Indians' Tom Hamilton wins Ohio Broadcaster of the Year... Cazuela's staved off fire disaster... $8 million of cocaine accidently shipped to German supermarkets... 10 arrested in NJ apart of sophisticated crime ring...
