What in the world is going on in Arizona?
One coach gets fired, but he wins and probably gets to go to a bowl game in Hawaii? Another resigns saying the public debate about his job was too much to take.
Suddenly, they're running out of coaches in the desert.
Arizona State's Bruce Snyder -- fired last week -- watched the Sun Devils beat instate rival Arizona 30-17 to become bowl eligible. And after listening to him Friday night, it doesn't sound like he wants to leave after that bowl game -- likely the Oahu Bowl -- is over.
"I'm happy for the team because I think they've been maligned a great deal, and a lot of things are said. I'm just proud of them," Snyder said. "I'm terribly proud to be a coach. I love coaching. I love coaching this team, and I'm glad I'm going to coach them one more time."
Arizona's Dick Tomey, on the other hand, has had enough. Tomey, whose 14-year tenure at UA was the longest of any current coach in the Pac-10, stunned his players by telling them shortly after the loss he was resigning.
"I just told them that I didn't think I could continue because the public debate has become so difficult for my family, for our team, for our coaches and their families," Tomey said. "I have no other choice and that's all I'm going to say. If I have something smarter to say I'll say it later."
Simmons goes out in style
And you thought it was weird in Arizona. Did you happen to check in on Oklahoma Saturday? More specifically, Stillwater and Oklahoma State coach Bob Simmons?
Simmons, ousted earlier this season, made No. 1 Oklahoma work its butt off to keep that undefeated season and those national title dreams alive. He frustrated Heisman hopeful Josh Heupel into his worst performance in his two seasons at OU -- 154 yards. He was one great catch away from a win and while he limped around on a crutch with a bum leg, no one could question his or his team's heart.
"They were surprised," said OSU defensive end Juqua Thomas. "They thought they were going to come in here and blow us out, but it was a dogfight."
One for the record books
When next year's NCAA record book comes out,
LaDainian Tomlinson can flip to the rushing section and find his
name and numbers in many places: Fourth-best single season with
2,158 yards; sixth-most in a career at 5,263.
But in a few years some other player will come along and drop
Tomlinson in the rankings, just like he passed former Heisman
Trophy winners Herschel Walker and Archie Griffin.
What can never be taken away is a bigger accomplishment by
Tomlinson and the other 20 seniors on this year's Texas Christian
team: Going from 1-10 as freshmen to 10-1 this season.
Playing for the first time with his parents and two siblings in
the stands, Tomlinson broke the 2,000 barrier on his fifth carry,
joining former Texas star Ricky Williams as the only runners with
2,000 and 5,000 on their resumes. Tomlinson passed Walker's career
total on his 26th and final run.
TCU then called time out, allowing Tomlinson to slowly walk off
the field. His dark-visored helmet was in his left hand and he
waved to the crowd with his right hand. He had one sock up, one
down, and his white jersey was covered in blue and red paint. His
diamond earring sparkled as bright as his smile.
Teammates surrounded Tomlinson before he reached the sideline.
Coach Dennis Franchione was the first to greet him and they shared
a warm embrace.
"He's the greatest player I have ever been around," Franchione
said. "He did everything this year that a young man can do to be
considered for a Heisman."
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