I understand that when you’re invited by the WH you should probably go, but if you really want to do something tangible don’t you make sure the invite list has a lot more diversity of thought than … well, this.
Correct, can’t have iPads on the literal sideline per my understanding. Players can have them on the bench.
This is essentially a collection of people that want something they would have by now if they had the power to do it by themselves.
Really enjoyed this pair of articles on The Book and the evolving game theory that influences college football coach decision making.
Thanks Brian!
I’ve spent the last few weeks talking to people in/around private equity to try to answer this question: What’s the best argument for why PE can be good for college sports? Here's my answer:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
Five more takeaways from speaking to people for the story on The Book:
- The new 2-point trend ... which isn't that new
- The law of diminishing possessions
- The 'sum positive' of going for it
- When field goals are good!
- When field goals are bad
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
From @theathletic.com: Lou Holtz, a ubiquitous college football coaching voice, has died at the age of 89. In his 34 seasons as a head coach, he will be remembered as the man who returned Notre Dame to college football’s summit. nyti.ms/46JSxgS
Last year, more teams went for it on fourth down than have in at least the last 20 years. And more teams went for it in their own territory - and more people are playing THIRD down as if they're going to go for it.
Much of all this goes back to The Book. The story:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
The Book:
How a small analytics company has so much influence over college football - and has changed the game.
“I got into it not because I was intrigued by the math, but because I was intrigued by the winning."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
NEW | Mitch Barnhart expected to retire after 23 years as Kentucky athletics director per @PeteThamel and others www.wdrb.com/sports/uk-sp...
Wait, what?
The experience around Josh Pate’s interview with Trump was revealing. The interview itself was not.
I hate what led to it, but love that we're able to hire such talented people. The Athletic got better today.
The Athletic is hiring Barry Svrluga, Adam Kilgore, Candace Buckner, Ava Wallace, Spencer Nusbaum and Jason Murray www.nytco.com/press/the-at...
Trinidad Chambliss is back for another year. Joey Aguilar is not.
But Chambliss joins Arch Manning, Marcel Reed, Gunner Stockton and a stable of SEC veteran quarterbacks.
Why that could help the SEC get its swagger back:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
One of those things where it has to be their call to do it, but no single decision would do more to open up CFP scheduling options…
One of the obstacles to moving the CFP up is Army-Navy being protected the Saturday after conference championship weekend.
Army coach Jeff Monken wants to remove that obstacle, and move Army-Navy game to Thanksgiving weekend:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
Do you believe in 3-on-3 overtime … yes!
Tony Vitello shared his sentiments over the sudden loss of Wes Rucker, who obviously resonated a ton of positive energy in the Vols community.
The news on Wes Rucker is gutting. I knew Wes a little bit, as did anyone who covered the SEC the last 20 years. He was like his online persona: Fun, thoughtful and opinionated, but not abrasive.
Wes had also just started a wonderful family. Just an awful tragedy.
Life is short. Cherish it.
As someone who has been an expert on the Olympic 3-on-3 overtime format for almost 24 hours, my thoughts are
Two more Georgia football players arrested on driving-related charges:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
But also: Three elimination games today went to this unfair overtime system and all three were won by the higher seed/favorite, so maybe not unfair?
3-on-3 overtime for a game of this magnitude: Unfair? Yes.
But I’ll take it.
SEC mailbag: Who will be this year's surprise CFP contender?
Who will be the surprise head coach on the hot seat?
What's going to happen to non-conf games for the SEC teams with annual ACC rivalries?
And more.
(Gift article).
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
Also regarding The Natural, which is my favorite movie, I believe in the last year we have lost Max Mercy, Roy Hobbs and Bump Bailey.
Duvall’s most memorable performances for me:
1. Godfather I and II
2. Apocalypse Now
3. The Natural
4. To Kill A Mockingbird
5. Open Range
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/m...
Yes exactly. The more experienced you get the quicker you write without sacrificing quality, but when I’m writing is when I also realize oh wait maybe I need this or that and make another call or check another thing.
Can’t realize that when just feeding it into AI.
