Report: Western Kentucky is headed to CUSA

Over the past few days many reports and rumors have surfaced that Western Kentucky is headed to Conference USA a conference that would look like the old Sun Belt Conference soon.

It is reportedly that WKU will move all of it’s athletic programs to CUSA and a official announcement could come as early as Monday. I have learn today that a special called meeting has been called and scheduled with the Board of Regents on Monday; so this is a sign of truth for the Hilltoppers that want out of the Sun Belt Conference.

Western Kentucky has denied and continued to deny any communication with CUSA, however the silence didn’t last too long. Western Kentucky will be replacing Tulsa after they bolt CUSA for the un-named conference in 2014. Western Kentucky is not expected to leave early but will depart the SBC in 2014.

It is rumored as well that the Sun Belt Conference will invite James Madison Dukes as its newest member to replace Western Kentucky in a soon to be eastern division of the Sun Belt Conference. Other FCS candidates have been mention as well such as Liberty, Lamar, UT-Chattanooga and etc. However everyone believes James Madison is that leading candidate.

Stay Tuned! 

ULL Cajuns Add Marquis White To 2013 Signing Class

Marquis White - DL

Defensive Lineman From Orlando, Fla. Will Have 

Three Years Of Eligibility Remaining

The Ragin Cajuns has added another addition to their defense in Marquis White, a 6-5, 315-pound defensive lineman from Orlando, Fla., has signed a national letter of intent to attend Louisiana and play football beginning in the fall of 2013.

White will join the program in June and take part in the summer conditioning program with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

“Marquis is a defensive lineman who can really move,” head coach Mark Hudspeth said.  “He has only played football for two seasons but the growth that he has displayed in that time makes him a player who should quickly fit into our program.”

A native of Orlando, Fla., White played basketball at Olympia High before playing football for one year at North Carolina Tech, a prep school based out Charlotte, N.C.

In his lone season at North Carolina Tech, White had 36 tackles with 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and four pass breakups, finishing second among defensive linemen in tackles.  He was voted the team’s most improved defensive lineman and the most athletic lineman.

White signed with South Florida in 2011 and redshirted.  He left the school in January, 2012 and attended Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS.

In his lone season with the Greyhounds, he saw action in seven games, making nine tackles with half of a quarterback sack and one forced fumble.

South Alabama improves offense in last spring scrimmage

South Alabama went to the practice fields for their last spring scrimmage, and the offense blossomed; just as the Jaguars had hope.

South Alabama offense switched over to the spread offense last season under new offensive coordinator Robert Matthews. The jaguars had a few problems adapting to the new fast pace spread offense. However during spring practice the Jaguars have taken to the practice fields of South Alabama to get better for a better season this fall.  On yesterday head Coach Joey Jones described it as better than when they first got started.

The offense of South Alabama improved their running game and produced bigger plays through the air and really showed that the Jaguars can get it done.

While Ross Methany is expected to be the starting quarterback again this fall, there are others putting in hard work to compete for that job and for that second spot at quarterback. Brandon Bridge an FCS transfer from Jackson State, didn’t get no playing time last season; but he is looking for a chance to shine come this fall. Brandon Bridge connected with Jake Howton for a 33 yard completion to mark the longest pass play of the scrimmage.  Davin Hawkins posted four catches for 71 yards and a 29 yard scoring pass from Brandon Bridge.  Ross Methany connected with Bryant Lavender with 4 catches for 52 yards including a 13 yard touchdown.

Julien Valentin ran for 49 yards on his second carry of the day, ending with a team leading 63 yards on eight attempts; and Demetre Baker chipped in with 56 more on 10 rushes.  The two combined to add 21 yards on two completions as well.

Head coach Joey Jones said they ran the ball much better on yesterday during the scrimmage, something they wasn’t able to do last season. He also said the defense is coming together much better as well, and that the defensive players are flying around to the ball a lot faster than before.

The Jaguars will practice again on Tuesday and Thursday, before the Spring Red and White game on Saturday, April 6^th at 2:00pm at Ladd Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, AL. 

Boise State, Louisiana Tech & Southern To Come To Cajun Field

UL-Lafayette puts some finishing touches to their future non-conference schedules.

Home-and-home series with Boise State and Louisiana Tech and home games vs. Akron and Southern highlight additions to the future Ragin' Cajuns football schedules.  The non-conference schedules through the 2016 season were announced on Tuesday.

“We have been able to put together schedules for the next couple of seasons that follow the blueprint we desire,” Louisiana director of athletics Scott Farmer said.

“Our goal is to play at least six games at Cajun Field each season.  The remaining non-conference games should be against regional opponents that are close enough to allow our fans to make the trip if possible.

“We are always looking for a home-and-home series against a team that our fans will enjoy watching.  To get a team like Boise State to visit speaks volumes about how far this program has come in recent years,” Farmer added.

“I like the direction that our schedule is going,” third-year head coach Mark Hudspeth said. “It is great to play a program like Boise State anywhere, and it is even better to have a game scheduled at Cajun Field.  It will be a great measuring stick for our program because Boise State has already built a national successful program similar to what we are seeking to accomplish.”

The 2014 non-conference schedule was completed last week when the Cajuns agreed to a home-and-home series with Boise State.  Louisiana will visit the Broncos on Sept. 20, 2014 with Boise State playing in Lafayette to open the 2016 season.

Louisiana will open the 2014 season at home against Southern on Aug. 30 before making road trips to Ole Miss (Sept. 13) and Boise State (Sept. 20).  The non-conference slate ends with an Oct. 4 home game vs. Louisiana Tech, the first game in a home-and-home series with the Bulldogs.

In 2015, the Cajuns are at home on either Sept. 19 or 26 against Akron in the return game of the home-and-home series that will be started this fall.  The Cajuns then complete the series with Louisiana Tech on Oct. 3.  Two games are left to schedule, a road game at a FBS opponent and a home contest, most likely against an FCS opponent.

The 2016 schedule features a season-opening home game vs. Boise State (Sept. 3) and a return game to Tulane (Oct. 8) to complete the home-and-home series began in 2012.  The Cajuns need one home and one away date to complete the schedule.

Future Ragin’ Cajuns Football Schedules

2014
Aug. 30  Southern
Sept. 13  at Mississippi
Sept. 20  at Boise State
Oct. 4  Louisiana Tech
Sun Belt:  4 Home, 4 Away

2015
Sept. 5  at BCS Opponent
Sept. 19 or 26  Akron
Oct. 3  at Louisiana Tech
Date TBA  Home vs. TBA
Sun Belt:  4 Home, 4 Away

2016
Sept. 3 Boise State
Oct. 8  at Tulane
Date TBA   1 Home/1 Away
Sun Belt:  4 Home, 4 Away

Georgia State has begun 2013 spring practice with a bang and with a new coaching staff

On Wednesday the Panthers of Georgia State went to the practice field with one goal in mind, and that was to focus on improvements for the 2013 season.

It may have been cold but the players was hot and ready, knowing they have work to do and to compete for those starting spots this fall when their team compete for the first time on the FBS level; with a full Sun Belt Conference schedule. The Panthers will also face non-conference action against two powerhouses West Virginia and national champion Alabama. Improving their team this spring will help in areas.

“We are pretty intense,” head coach Miles said. “We have to establish more competition, teach them our schemes and practice and play the way we expect them to and get them to raise their expectation level.”

The Panthers will hold their first full scrimmage on April 6^th. 

Sun Belt Conference added Georgia Southern & Appalachian State today; expected to add two more in NMSU and IDAHO

 The football rivalry continues on the FBS level!

On today the Sun Belt Conference expanded by adding two FCS powerhouses in Georgia Southern and Appalachian State.

Georgia Southern and Appalachian State announced Wednesday it is leaving the Southern Conference to join the Sun Belt Conference in 2014. Both Georgia Southern and Appalachian State football teams will begin playing Sun Belt games and will be a revenue sharing member of the conference in 2014 and eligible for the Sun Belt title, but will not be eligible to play in a bowl game. In 2015, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State will become a full member of the conference and be bowl eligible.

Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson was on hand at Georgia Southern on Wednesday to help welcome the Eagles to the Sun Belt Conference.   

Now that Georgia Southern and Appalachian State is in, Idaho State Board approved their move to the Sun Belt Conference today; which they are expected to announce by tomorrow or end of this week along with New Mexico State.

Appalachian State Football 

Now that the Sun Belt Conference has added four new members, the conference can now stage a conference championship game. Commissioner Benson made it known today that the conference is looking to begin that championship in 2014 season, but no more details was given. We do know that the team with the best record will host the conference championship in 2014 and beyond.

Also a few details were given that the Sun Belt will retire its current logo and introduce a new one during the re-branding process in a few months. Commissioner Benson made mention of it during the press conference at Georgia Southern.  Today was a great day for the Sun Belt and I am happy for this conference I really believe they made a wise decision.

Rumors have Western Kentucky receiving an invite from C-USA after Tulsa announces their intentions to join the new Big East conference.  The Sun Belt Conference will move to replace WKU with another program possibly from the FCS ranks. Liberty, James Madison and Sam Houston State tops the lists now among others. 

South Alabama & Troy hires new Men Basketball coaches this week

Coach Matthew Graves 

South Alabama has hired Butler assistant Matthew Graves and held a press conference on yesterday to introduce Graves. South Alabama head coach Ronnie Arrow retired at the beginning of the season, after only 10 games. Assistant Jeff Price took over the program as interim head coach, and did a great job to close out the Jags season with a 17-13 record.

Matthew Graves brings experience to South Alabama, having served on Butler MBB staff as an assistant. Coach Graves has helped Butler to two NCAA finals in recent years.

Welcome to South Alabama and the Sun Belt Conference.

Coach Phil Cunningham

Troy hires Western Kentucky Cunningham:

Troy has hired Phil Cunningham from rival Western Kentucky. Coach Cunningham was introduced in a news conference Tuesday at Trojan Arena to replace Don Maestri, who retired at the Sun Belt tournament after 31 seasons and 500 wins.

Cunningham spent five years as an assistant under Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State and worked for 12 seasons at Mississippi State. He spent one season at Western Kentucky.

Welcome to Troy Coach Cunningham. 

Four is headed to the Sun Belt Conference in 2014; Projected divisions in football for championship

Georgia Southern Football

Well the Sun Belt Conference has finally made it happen and looks as if they will be extending four invitations to (2) FCS powerhouses and (2) former WAC football members that will be independents in 2013.

On Monday the Sun Belt has made it known that they are inviting long expected Georgia Southern, and Appalachian State two FCS Southern Conference members and New Mexico State and Idaho of the WAC, soon to be independent FBS members in 2013. The Sun Belt stuck with their plans to add additional members within thirty days.

Georgia Southern and Appalachian State was expected, but New Mexico State and Idaho was a guess. Sun Belt Conference expanded their geographic footprint in football only and stayed within their footprint for all other sports. New Mexico State and Idaho will join in football only in 2014, while Georgia Southern and Appalachian State will join in all sports in 2014. They will be FBS independent transitional members in 2014 and could compete for all Sun Belt Championships and post seasons bowl games in 2015.

NMSU and Idaho will both join on July 1, 2014 and be eligible to compete for the conference title and post season bowl games in 2014.

The Sun Belt Conference is adding four members after they lost four members in Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Middle Tennessee State and North Texas to C-USA. When the Sun Belt Conference meet to expand they thought big and expanded enough to create a new conference football championship game beginning in 2015, when the new FBS playoff system kick in.  The Sun Belt Conference wants to be competitive in the new process and don’t want to be over looked.

I really commend the SBC board and AD’s for this move, this is what our conference should look like and it brings more excitement to the conference. It is believe that the conference will be made up of two divisions a (East) and a (West) division that will look like the following; (West) UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe, Arkansas State, Texas State,  New Mexico State and Idaho and the (East) will consists of Western Kentucky, South Alabama, Troy, Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State all in football.

Rumors are that each division will play eight conference games, all six members plus two cross over members. Each member will have the opportunity to play four non-conference games beginning in 2015.

It is expected that C-USA will call Western Kentucky that will cause the Sun Belt Conference to be without one and back down to 11 members in football. If this so happens the SBC will be extending an invitation once again, but the question is to whom? Many believe that that invitation will go to Sam Houston State in Texas among others.

Georgia Southern and Appalachian State brings a big rivalry to the Sun Belt Conference, and Georgia State and Southern will not create their long projected rivalry. That looks nice to see that the SBC has two members in Georgia. App State and GSU also brings in large attendances, which will also help the conference. I wonder who will get the first home game between the two schools. This will be an exciting first FBS conference game between the two can’t wait.

No stopping for Louisiana –Monroe in spring practice

ULM in 2013 spring drills 

Louisiana-Monroe is looking to keep the momentum going in spring practice. After a great season in FBS football last season and reaching their first ever post season bowl game as a FBS team, coach Todd Berry and his returning starters is looking to bring in the new players as they prepare for their spring game.

We will be watching the wide receiver and linebacker positions in the spring to see who can step up and help QB Browning this fall and help the Warhawks to another great season.

18 starters are returning to the Warhawks and look for this season to be explosive…. 

ULL Football officially in 2013 Spring Practice

ULL Head Coach on the field

Third-year Louisiana head football coach Mark Hudspeth and his football players who are taking part in 15 spring practices is in full swing and already has held one spring scrimmage resulting in the offense winning the scrimmage.

ULL is still celebrating a wonderful season last fall and winning their second New Orleans R&L Carriers Bowl. The players are excited and looking forward to a even better season this fall.  Hudspeth opened the first practice with a new twist. Just like the Oklahoma Tackling drill that he used a year ago to increase the intensity at the start of the practice, he created a variation of his "Don't let go of the rope" theme to inspire the Cajuns.

It’s seems that Coach Hudspeth is happy with the Ragin Cajuns spring practice thus far.

Conditions could not have been better on Friday afternoon as the Ragin’ Cajuns football team held its first spring practice in full pads.

Third year offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has a mostly veteran unit to work with as quarterback Terrance Broadway returns along with the entire offensive backfield, three starters on the offensive line and all but two of the receivers.

“We’ve had a lot of energy and excitement out there,” Johnson said.  “We’ve thrown a lot at them very quickly and the defense has been giving them some new looks which has challenged them.  We need to take what we are learning and apply it to the field.”

The Cajuns defense is a work in progress as James Willis took over as defensive coordinator in January making spring ball the first opportunity for the defenders to learn and implement the system.

For Willis, the biggest obstacle that he wants the Cajuns to overcome is history.

“I’ve seen some steady progress this week as we teach these guys a new defense and watch them put it in action,” Willis said.  “The system isn’t difficult, but it is different from the one that was used the last couple of years.

Troy football scheduled for three ESPNU games in 2013

Troy is looking for an exciting season in 2013 as they are beginning to bounce back to where they once were. In 2013 the Troy Trojans is locking up on TV appearances and they are looking to wear a crown.

So far three of the Trojans football games will be televised on national TV according to the Sun Belt Conference.  Troy will host ULM, and travel to UL-Lafayette for both home games. Troy will also get a Thursday night game against Arkansas State on ESPNU as well.

Troy is loaded and talented and expect the Trojans to be a force in 2013. 

South Alabama spring practice is under way

Jaguars are back on the field in 2013

On Thursday morning the South Alabama Jaguars begin their first practice of 2013. The Jaguars are preparing for what could be a rewarding season in the Sun Belt Conference and their FBS history.

According to USAjaguars.com Coach Jones said the first day was OK with just a little confusion on the field with everybody trying to get use to the changes the team has implemented in new coaches. Other than the program is kicking into high gear as they prepare for a much anticipated spring game on April 6th at 2pm and results as their head into their full fledge year of FBS football.

On this year rosters are 26 seniors and all are working for a prize this year, the team is eligible for the Sun Belt Conference Championship and a post season bowl invitation. South Alabama also bring in new coaches in Kevin Sherrer as Defensive Coordinator and new assistants on defense in Coach Roach and Pearson.

Expect this spring practice for the Jags to be about eliminating much of their team mistakes and all about fundamentals.  

Also note that your insider was correct on the possible South Alabama Jaguars Schedule, as the Sun Belt Conference released its 2013 schedule on yesterday March 1, 2013.  See the post here http://sunbeltinsider.blogspot.com/2013/02/south-alabama-may-have-exciting-home.html

Sun Belt Conference releases their 2013 Football Schedule

With spring practices under the way or beginning soon for many Sun Belt schools, they have now learned their complete 2013 Sun Belt Football schedule.

For the first time the Sun Belt Schedule will include two new members in Georgia State and Texas State. All Sun Belt schools will play seven games in the conference and five non conference games. Florida International, Florida Atlantic, North Texas and Middle Tennessee have all left for Conference USA. With those departures the Sun Belt Conference schedule still looks appealing.  

Here is a look at some of the notable non-conference games and conference games for the Sun Belt Conference in 2013.

Notable Non- Conference Games:

South Alabama at Tennessee
Texas State at Texas State

Arkansas State at Auburn

UL-Monroe at Oklahoma

Troy at Ole Miss

UL-Lafayette at Arkansas

Western Kentucky at Kentucky

Georgia State at Alabama

Notable Conference Games:

Arkansas State at Western Kentucky

South Alabama at Troy

Troy at Arkansas State

UL-Monroe at Louisiana – Lafayette

South Alabama at Georgia State

Troy at Western Kentucky

Texas State at UL-Lafayette

I will bring you more coverage during spring practices and later in the year.