Thursday random bits

A few things popping up on them internets for your review:

• Barry Tramel suggests that college juniors ought to have more bargaining strength with regard to eligibility and the NFL draft.  He makes some good points – particularly with regard to emasculating agents with these kids – which means it has the proverbial snowball’s chance of happening.
• Doug Williams may be a bitter man, but that doesn’t mean he’s not observant.  And right.
• This is a pretty run-of-the-mill D-1 playoff proposal.  I’m just linking to it because it’s (1) pitched by a man of the cloth and (2) involves the casting of lots.  How biblical.
• You want proof that times are tough, economically speaking?  ESPN is looking at job cuts and a hiring freeze.
• On the other hand, it looks like Pam Ward will be gainfully employed through the 2016-17 school year.  Pity.
• Over at Smart Football, Chris has a post up about the man who may be Matt Stafford’s next head coach.  Interesting guy (Schwartz, not Stafford).
• Meet Shane Beamer, the Swiss Army Knife of college assistant coaches.

Coaches’ corner

They come, they go…

• Speaking of the latter, be still my heart:  Tuberville and Fulmer, fresh off of being canned, will offer their best second guessing over every working coach’s recruiting class.  Fulmer’s appearance should be the most entertaining, only because CBS is teaming him up with Tom Lemming.  It’ll be interesting to see how Fulmer does with Lemming’s head in his lap.
• Is there a coach who’s gotten more mileage out of irritating his peers (using the term loosely) in a short period of time than Lane Kiffin?  I’ve got to admit it’s a great sales job – nobody’s talking about that 5-15 record as a head coach, that’s for sure.
• On the other hand, I would assume that the typical Vol fan would see this as a complete vindication for the hire, so Kiffin’s got that going for him.