The Rumor Mill
FOOTBALL
Most of the coaching speculation at this point all surrounds one job that isn't even vacant yet - the head spot at Notre Dame. With a loss to Pitt on Saturday, Charlie Weis' seat heated up a little more - although if it gets any warmer the Irish coach could burst into flames.
According to FootballRumorMill.com, Weis' job is not safe, even with time remaining on his current contract. Some names that are being kicked around as possible replacements include Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Cincinnati's Brian Kelly.
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Harbaugh is also a hot name at Michigan, where alums are starting to insist that the Wolverines admit they made a mistake and part ways with Rich Rodriguez, who is now 8-15 in almost two years at college football's winningest program. Harbaugh is a Michigan graduate who uses the system that led the Wolverines to so much success under legendary coach Bo Schembechler. Michigan may have to hurry to scoop Harbaugh up before somebody else lands one of the country's hottest coaches.
It seemed ironic that Michigan released a report on Monday admitting that Rodriguez, whose program is currently under investigation from the NCAA, failed to file forms tracking how much time players spent on football during the 2008 season. Could it be setting up an excuse for a breakup?
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Harbaugh may be a popular figure in the eyes of athletic directors looking to improve their football programs, but Southern California head coach Pete Carroll doesn't appear to be a big fan. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, sources who were close enough to hear the two coaches converse at midfield following Stanford's 55-21 victory, said the exchange consisted of each coach asking the other, "What's your deal?" Carroll, who apparently started the exchange, was likely upset that Harbaugh chose to go for a 2-point conversion after his team's seventh touchdown of the game.
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Another coach who appears to be on the way out, although it won't be on his own terms according to CollegeFootballTalk.com, is Louisville's top man, Steve Kragthorpe. The speculation about Kragthorpe's dismissal has been a hot topic in The Bluegrass State, but Kragthorpe said in a meeting with the media on Monday that he wasn't going anywhere voluntarily.
If Kragthorpe is shoved out the door, Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach is rumored to be one of the top candidates.
BASEBALL
According to FoxSports.com, the Atlanta Braves are one of a group of teams pursuing closer Billy Wagner. Bean Stringfellow, Wagner's agent, said that eight clubs have called to express interest in the Type A free agent. Boston, Atlanta, Washington, Houston and Baltimore are five teams on the list. Stringfellow said the Red Sox were the only team who would use him as anything but a closer.