I'm not entirely sure if calling someone a "jagoff" is extremely insulting or not. And furthermore, if it's even allowed on TV. But that's exactly what Kentucky Coach John Calipari called John Buccigross, after the ESPN anchor brought up Calipari's loss to Memphis in the National Championship....

At least the name calling was taken in stride, but I'm curious as to know why someone from Pittsburgh is a "jagoff". And what exactly is a jagoff? So many questions.

John Calipari Calls John Buccigross A Jagoff Live On ESPN (Buster Sports)

Of all the random twists I've heard involving announcers, Craig James is now moving on from getting a coach fired to running for the Senate. Seriously. According to WFAA, James is reportedly interested in Kay Bailey Hutchison’s Senate seat....

“I’m a Texan. I’m concerned for our country. I disagree with the approach that we’re having, things that are taking place, and so whatever door opens up, I’ll look at it, if and when it opens up. I think Americans today, if you placed us back in 1765, it would be the same scenario. We’ve got the American revolution taking place again.”

News 8 talked to James who confirmed he is interested in getting involved in Republican Party politics, and he’s not ruling out a run for office. James said in addition to his role as a college football analyst, he’s also been in business as a real estate broker and investor. He calls himself a conservative and very concerned about government intervention in business and health care.

James has been making the rounds meeting prominent Texas Republicans and donors raising his political profile, and he said he would not rule out running for the Hutchison seat.

Not only is this a questionable choice, but probably a terrible one as well. Every Texas Tech fan has expressed their hatred of both Adam and his dad Craig in this instance, and with new reports surfacing every day of Adam James' crybaby nature, it seems even worse. Good luck, Craig.

Craig James Confirms Interest In TX Senate Seat (Sports by Brooks)

Right when you thought Pete Carroll's Bowl Season was over, ESPN has to go and hire him to be an analyst for the BCS Championship Game. Carroll will appear on a few Sports Centers, College Gameday and of course the coverage of the Texas-Alabama showdown at the Rose Bowl. Via ESPN....

USC head coach Pete Carroll, who led the Trojans to seven consecutive Pac-10 titles and two National Championships, will join ESPN to provide analysis about the Citi BCS National Championship on the network’s SportsCenter and College GameDay Built by The Home Depot Jan. 6-7.

Carroll will offer his insight on the pressure of playing in a National Championship Game and at the Rose Bowl, as well as coaching against Texas coach Mack Brown in the 2006 National Championship game. Carroll joined USC in 2001 and holds a 97-19 record (83.6%), second highest among active coaches with more than five years at the position.

Carroll will appear on the ESPN set at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on the evening editions of SportsCenter Wednesday, Jan. 6; a special one-hour College GameDay Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.; National Championship pre-game and halftime shows on ABC beginning at 8 p.m.; and for ESPN’s SportsCenter post-game coverage following the game.

I don't despise Carroll as much as some people, and his personality might work in adding something to the broadcast. We shall see.

Craig James is scheduled to call the Alamo Bowl on Saturday, but this time he'll be a part of the storyline. Craig James' son Adam plays for Texas Tech (who's playing in the Alamo Bowl against Michigan State), and recently suffered a concussion. Adam wanted to sit out a practice or two, but apparently Tech Coach Mike Leach did not taken kindly to that idea. He (allegedly) ordered a trainer to put Adam in an electrical closet, to which (surprisingly) Papa James did not take kindly to....

Sources told ESPN's Joe Schad that the Jameses felt Adam was treated inappropriately by Leach because he was unable to practice after a mild concussion. A source close to the James family told Schad that Leach directed a trainer to confine him to an equipment room for three hours and, days later, told a trainer to place James in an electrical closet. An attorney for Leach said that while James was secluded twice, the circumstances were not as portrayed by the James family.

"Mr. and Mrs. James took the step with great regret and after consideration and prayer to convey to the Texas Tech administration that their son had been subjected to actions and treatment not consistent with common sense rules for safety and health," the family said in a statement released on Monday.

Well then. Texas Tech has now suspended Leach for the Alamo Bowl and he could be facing even further action following an investigation. ESPN certainly protects their own, so I'd be worried if I were him.

Leach suspended after player complaint (ESPN)

Mike Vick, along with Tony Dungy and Andy Reid, sat down with the media today to announce his signing with the Eagles today, and I wanted to share the video if you missed it....

It's that time of the year friends. Yes, the time when you see a Fantasy ad just about every five seconds on TV and the Internet. While NFL's "Fantasy Files" continue to lead the pack, there are others that go by undetected. Kind of like this random online ad from CBS' Bill Cowher, in which he plays a Keytar rather well....

There are a total of four Cowher spots, and while the others don't feature rockin' synethesized music, they're all pretty funny. Check them out below.

There isn't a more colorful coach in the college ranks than Bruce Pearl. The guy has gone shirtless, hit on Erin Andrews and been seen on boats hugging random coeds. Well NBA TV has taken note of this, and will be adding the Tennessee coach to their NBA Draft team next week....

NBA TV and NBA.com will provide fans with all-access coverage leading up to, and continuing throughout, the 2009 NBA Draft presented by EA SPORTS, which will be held at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, June 25th. For the first time Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl will join NBA TV’s draft night coverage to provide a unique perspective on the NBA Draft Preview Show presented by EA SPORTS at 6 p.m. ET and the 2009 NBA Draft Recap presented by EA SPORTS at Midnight ET. In addition, Pearl will provide blogs on NBA.com entitled “Pearl’s Gems” with his insight on the NBA Draft and prospects.

In addition to pre and post-draft analysis, an expert panel of announcers including host Rick Kamla, analysts Kenny Smith, Steve Smith and Pearl will provide Instant Analysis of key draft selections that will be available exclusively on NBA.com. NBA Insider David Aldridge will be on-hand for NBA TV and NBA.com with breaking news updates about trades. In addition, reporter Craig Sager will be on hand at Madison Square Garden in New York City to interview players moments after they are selected in the draft via the EA Sports Virtual Green Room, streamed on NBA.com. NBA Assistant Director of Scouting Ryan Blake will be in New York to provide scouting reports and draft analysis of international players throughout the night.

"Pearl's Gems"....get it?! Man, that's clever. In all seriousness though, the guy is quite the character, and NBA TV just gave me a reason to watch their coverage over ESPNs. Bruce Pearl could be the next Stephen A. Smith, if you ask me.

I really like Jeff Van Gundy on ESPN/ABC. I think he's witty, knows the game of Basketball and works well with Breen and Jackson. I've had some issues with his comedic timing in the past, but each year he gets better. That's why I thought that his issues with his brother being in the Finals wouldn't be a problem. Boy, was I wrong.

Richard Sandomir, of the NY Times, talked with Breen following the Lakers Game Five win, and the play-by-play man all but said that JVG was depressed during the whole broadcast....

“I think this was harder for him than he thought it would be,” said Mike Breen, whose command as the play-by-play voice of the finals continues to grow. “This was uncharted waters. I didn’t know how he would do it.”

You sensed Jeff’s reticence in his silence at tough moments for the Magic during Game 5.

“Will they fold their tent or fight?” asked Mark Jackson, Van Gundy’s partner in analysis. (Jeff said nothing.)

“Anxious moments at Amway Arena,” Breen said, as the camera cut to a shot of Stan. (Jeff said nothing.)

“At one point, during an incredible Lakers roll, maybe in Game 1,” Breen said during a telephone interview Monday, “I was making some loud, juiced-up calls about some Lakers baskets. I saw him sitting next to me, and he’s down. His brother’s team is getting shellacked. I hated to sound so enthused, and I told him I was sorry. He’s a longtime friend, he’s my partner, and you feel for what he’s going through.”

While I understand the ties to your family, there is still a job that you have to do, and I thought Van Gundy would realize that. Instead, he sulked and was audibly missing from the broadcast during the fourth quarter of Game Five. As Sandomir pointed out, he could have been analyzing what changes his brother could/should be making, but instead he checked out. Obviously the chances of this scenario happening again are unlikely, but ABC should really consider benching JVG if it does again.

ABC’s Van Gundy Remained Mum About His Brother (NY Times)

I always find the transition to broadcasting for ex-players and coaches to be a fascinating, yet usually a dreadful, endeavor. Most think they can step right in and contribute right away, but much like a rookie year in the league, they learn they are sadly mistaken. Those who can contribute right away, are the players that don't hold out and get to camp as soon as possible (see: Sanchez, Mark).

This seems to be the case for Jon Gruden, who is not only getting to know his boothmates already, but even got a crash course in production at the NBA Finals of all places. Via the Orlando Sentinel....

"We wanted him to see the nerve center and get a really good idea of how a producer and director and crew really work," ESPN Producer Jay Rothman said of Gruden, who will replace Tony Kornheiser in the MNF lineup. "Basketball, obviously, is a different animal because of the continuous action, but seeing the inner-workings of the production — with the communication back-and-forth between the truck — is part of the crash course we're trying to give him heading to the fall."

Tirico put it this way: "I can say, without equivocation, that Jon's approach to learning how we do things is the most intense I've ever seen from a newbie in broadcasting."

Rothman seconded that notion. In one of their initial meetings, Gruden pulled his producer aside.

"He told me, if he was going to do this, he wanted to be great and told me not to hesitate to hold back — 'Rip me to shreds,' he said — if I needed to," Rothman recalled. "Who wouldn't want to work with someone like that?"

Next week, "Jaws" will be in Tampa to hole up with Gruden at his St. Pete Times Forum office and watch tape — "Cut-Up Heaven" for both men, no doubt — in preparation for a series of mock broadcasts at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., in July.

Now that's what I'm talking about. Everyone is fully aware of Gruden's tendency to stay up all night as a Coach, and it's refreshing to see him taking the same approach to broadcasting. Maybe the guy won't just be hanging around for a year or two, after all.

Chucky training for new job (Orlando Sentinel)

ESPN has run-ins with athletes and coaches all the time (see: Sutcliffe, Rick), and you can add another one to the list. A week ago, ESPN ran with a report from two "sources" that said the Vikings had given Brett Favre a deadline to announce his intentions, but according to Childress....someone made it up.

If the Minnesota Vikings have given Brett Favre a deadline to come back, it's news to team's head coach.

"Absolutely not," Brad Childress told radio station KFAN in Minneapolis when asked about ESPN's report that the team had given Favre a deadline of this week to decide on his return. "Maybe by Deanna (Favre) or somebody like that, but certainly not from me. Not even — not even close. (I) don't know where that dropped out of the sky from. ...

"I don't know how you guys in that industry go about your sourcing," Childress added. "'A source that a source said.' I don't know. It's questionable. Very questionable."

ESPN reported the deadline on Monday, citing two unidentified sources.

Childress also said he's spoken with quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels about the situation and that he's not concerned the Favre saga will distract them.

While it appears that ESPN made up the deadline, they're not the only ones making things up. Rosenfels and Jackson have to be distracted by this, and if Childress and the Vikings don't give Favre a deadline, it could be the beginning of the end for the Vikings in 2009.

Oh and one more thing. It was definitely a great idea to hire Adam Schefter, because maybe now someone can get a report right (*ahem* Mortensen *cough*)

Childress blasts ESPN's report of Favre deadline (FOX)

ESPN held its annual NBA Finals conference call today, and the topic of discussion was mostly about Jeff and Stan Van Gundy. The first question of the call came from the NY Times' Richard Sandomir, who asked JVG about his plans, and here was his response. Via ESPN PR....

Obviously I was a little bit leery of doing the games, and I remember speaking to Mike [Breen] and Mark [Jackson] about it, and I said maybe I shouldn't do the games because I'm not sure I could be critical of Stan. And Mark said, "Well that's no different, you're never critical of any coaches," so that made a lot of sense to me because I know how hard the job is, and I think Mark and I both try to say what we may do, but we don't spend a lot of time second guessing. So, I think once the game starts, I'll try to be as objective as possible. If they're fortunate enough to win, you know the Championship, I may have my bottle of champagne I pour over myself, and Mark and Mike. I definitely want him to win, no doubt, but during the games I'm going to try to be objective as possible.

I really think Jeff will be fine, and this whole thing wouldn't have an issue if he didn't make it one to begin with. I'm sure it won't be easy, but he's been around the booth long enough to handle himself in a situation like this.

A couple of emails popped into the inbox, over the weekend when Orlando clinched, and asked if ABC/ESPN are considering benching Jeff Van Gundy for the Finals. Even though his brother coaches the Magic, I responded that it wasn't likely and that JVG would know what to say and how to say it when asked about Stan and the Magic. Well apparently I was wrong. Jeff Van Gundy told Newsday that he's absolutely rooting for the Magic, and even asked ABC brass if they wanted him to take the Finals off....

Spoke to former Knicks coach and current ESPN/ABC analyst Jeff Van Gundy Sunday about the presence of a certain coach on the bench of one of the teams for the NBA Finals.

"I'm going to try to be as objective as possible," he said, "but I want my brother’s team to win; there’s no question about that."

When Stan Van Gundy's Magic took a 2-1 series lead over the Cavaliers, his younger brother discussed the looming potential conflict with his coordinating producer, Tim Corrigan.

“I said, ‘Hey, listen, if you guys don’t think it’s best for me to call the Finals, I’m fine with that, and I understand,’’’ he said. “I don’t want to compromise anything. They said they wanted me to do it.’’

Now I understand that you'd want your brother to succeed, but don't just go blurt it out for everyone to read. I think Van Gundy secretly wants to be fired so he can go take that 76ers job, that every former coach turned analyst is rumored to be interested in.

Jeff Van Gundy would like the Magic to win the Finals (Watchdog)

Most former coaches and players find it hard to make the transition from the field to the analyst chair, mainly because of current and former connections in the league. Most former players don't want to trash former teammates, and most former coaches don't want to burn any bridges to future coaching positions. Well one of the ones who doesn't seem to care is Jeff Van Gundy, and he spoke about this and other media matters, to the Wall Street Journal recently....

WSJ: You were a head NBA coach and you have said you would be interested in coaching again. How tricky it is to be candid as a broadcaster when you could be talking about future employers?
Mr. Van Gundy: I don't really think about that kind of stuff. I try just to worry about what I'm doing right now. I try to be fair. I think that is the hardest balance — trying to be candid and trying to be fair. That is what I shoot for. I have probably missed a few times, but I don't really worry about how it may impact me as far as coaching down the road.

WSJ: Dwight Howard called out the head coach of the Orlando Magic at one point during the playoffs. The head coach of the Magic is, of course, your brother. You have been doing the Western Conference games and so you weren't covering him, but it must come up. How do you deal with this?
Mr. Van Gundy: It is all fair game. My problem with the national media, in general, is that 90% of them, instead of studying an issue, run to the player's defense. In this case, they were very critical of my brother for Howard taking just 10 shots in Game 5. But where is the outcry when Howard took just nine shots in Game 7, which the Magic won in a blowout? That is one way that the national media is very unfair.

It's refreshing to hear someone actually come out and say that. The reason people don't respond to former coaches in the booth, is because they're so afraid to say something bad, that they don't say anything at all. Good for JVG to call out the rest of his brethren in a roundabout way.

Questions for: Jeff Van Gundy (Wall Street Journal)

Tony Dungy is still planning on talking with Mike Vick soon, and today he went on the Dan Patrick Show, to explain why he's doing so and that he believes the former NFL QB is remorseful. He even went so far as to compare him to players that have actually murdered someone, and are still in the league....

Dungy is going to visit with Michael Vick before he leaves jail. Dungy says he heard Vick has found God and wants to talk to him about that and other things. Dungy said he's given other players second chances and it's worked out well. He pointed to kicker Mike Vanderjagt.

Dungy said that someone should give Vick a second chance because "it's the right thing to do." Dan and Tony pointed out that there are players in the NFL who have killed people and are still playing.

While he's certainly right about the current state of the NFL, everyone even said it at the time, that killing dogs is/was worse than killing a human. While, I may not necessarily agree with that stance, I can definitely understand that point of view. I still believe he deserves a second chance, but only if he truly understands what he did was wrong.

The big meet and greet is set for May 5th, and I'll keep you posted.

Tony Dungy comments on Favre, plans to meet with Vick (Sports Illustrated)

There are standard levels of awkwardness, then there's Coach K on the Colbert Report last night. The Duke coach joined Colbert to talk about offensive plays, the NBA age limit, and of course....Socialism. Via First Cuts....

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Mike Krzyzewski
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Gay Marriage Commercial

I don't really have much to add to that. I just hope this doesn't result in more random college coaches going on talk shows like this.

Mike Krzyzewski On The Colbert Report (First Cuts)

Again, this is another "just because" post, but you absolutely have to watch this video via LWS. Bruce Pearl made a guest appearance at the third annual "VOLSCARS" (clever), and decided that he needed to rap when doing so. Seriously....

Wow. Erin Andrews would be proud.

Bruce Pearl Rapping (Loser With Socks)

Steve Phillips recently shared a bit of criticism on the Cubs, which Manager Lou Pinella didn't take kindly to, and the ESPN analyst sought out the coach before last night's ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game. Phillips had questioned Pinella's patience when dealing with Kosuke Fukudome, and apologized for his comments yesterday. Via the Chicago Tribune....

In an interview on WMVP-AM 1000 this spring, Phillips told Chet Coppock: "My view is Lou doesn't have a great deal of patience for assimilation into culture, assimilation into the team. He is just not the most patient guy around, and he also tends to verbalize his frustrations in an angry way. I think that may have affected Fukudome a little bit."

That comment upset Piniella, who later told the Tribune: "I don't have much respect for Steve Phillips. Let him be around a little more and see what transpires before he makes assumptions. I've lost total respect for this guy. If he had something to say, let him say it to me."

Phillips had not spoken to Piniella about the comments until Sunday night. Piniella appeared to accept his explanation.

But Phillips was not the only one on ESPN critiquing Piniella. The manager was watching "Baseball Tonight" in the clubhouse with several players after Saturday's game when he heard that he was already showing impatience by changing closers one week into the season.

"If that's the worst thing they say about me on ESPN, I'm happy," Piniella said.

I think it's pretty apparent that Lou doesn't have much patience, so I found it a bit odd when he got that upset about the original comment. I really don't think Phillips should have apologized, but alls well that ends well I guess.

ESPN's Steve Phillips apolozies to Lou Piniella (Chicago Tribune)

Fanhouse got a hold of the latest Gatorade "G" commercial featuring John Wooden, and the spot couldn't be cooler. The commercial features Wooden reciting some sort of poem, while old UCLA highlights air in the background. Here's your first look....

Now that's a perfect spot to watch before the game tonight! The commercial will air in select markets tonight.

Sneak Peak of Gatorade's New Commercial With John Wooden (Fanhouse)

Got a note from ESPN that I had to watch the start of PTI today, and they were not lying. Kornheiser and Wilbon are breaking the news that the John Calipari to Kentucky deal is reportedly of because Rick Pitino was completing a "backdoor" deal at the time of Calipari's press conference today. Check the video....

If you remember, PTI tried something similar last April, but the attempt at fooling people that they were replaying the end of an NCAA Tournament game didn't really work. I have to admit to all of you, that even though I'm not a fan of April Fool's Day, that one was pretty good.

Oh and I have to also admit that I fell for it too (bastards!).

I had already seen the Guitar Hero: Metallica spot where they tie up Kobe and Co. outside and blow up the house, but this one caught me by surprise. Near the end of the Oklahoma-UNC game, this ad featuring Coach K, Rick Pitno, Roy Williams and Bob Knight, came up on the screen....and yes....they are wearing just their underwear too.

We're playing the Guitar HEEEERO! Disturbing, but very very funny.

Update: Annnnd....here are the outtakes!



Ladies And Gentlemen, Welcome To The Best Guitar Hero Commercial EVER. (Fan IQ)