Latest news with #PaulFinebaum
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Takes Huge Shot At Big Ten Football Coach
Paul Finebaum Takes Huge Shot At Big Ten Football Coach originally appeared on The Spun. Paul Finebaum didn't hesitate to take a personal shot at one Big Ten coach after they seemingly eluded to Georgia's Kirby Smart tampering with one of their school's best players. Advertisement Appearing on the "The Triple Option" podcast, Bret Bielema seemed puzzled by running back Justin McCray's transfer to the Bulldogs this offseason. Saying: "We did lose a guy to Georgia. Somehow, he found his way to the portal and 12 hours after being in the portal, he was on a flight to Georgia. I don't know how that happened, but it's crazy." Those comments pretty quickly led to a response from Finebaum, who wasted no time firing back at the Fighting Illini HC for his claims against Kirby and one of the SEC's top powers. "Knowing Bret Bielema for a long time, the only thing that surprised me is understanding his voracious appetite that he didn't bit the microphone and try to swallow it because he doesn't seem to mind running his mouth," the CFB personality said. Advertisement "I would worry more about maybe being successful on the football field so he doesn't get fired there like he did at Arkansas. As opposed to running his mouth and making allegations that there's no chance in the world he can back up," Finebaum concluded. STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 16: Paul Finebaum broadcasts from the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers on September 16, 2023 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Finebaum's assessment was certainly a low blow— especially for a coach who's had his share of successes over the years. But the SEC commentator's brand has been one of defending his conference at every turn. Related: Jim Harbaugh Added To Disturbing Lawsuit Against Ex-Michigan Coach Paul Finebaum Takes Huge Shot At Big Ten Football Coach first appeared on The Spun on Jun 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Under 'Considerable Pressure'
Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach Under 'Considerable Pressure' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 college football season could result in several prominent programs searching for a new head coach. Advertisement One of these programs is the Oklahoma Sooners, led by head coach Brent Venables. So far, Venables' tenure has been less than impressive; he has been with the team for three seasons and has experienced two losing campaigns during that time. Prior to his arrival in 2022, Oklahoma had not recorded a losing season since 1998. However, Venables led the Sooners to a strong 10-3 record in the 2023 season. Now, he aims to replicate that success in 2025. ESPN's Paul Finebaum mentioned on his show, "The Paul Finebaum Show," that if Venables fails to achieve favorable results, his position may be at risk. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables.© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images "If that program remains in transition, I think (general manager Jim Nagy) will urge for an overhaul," Finebaum said. "I think Venables is under considerable pressure." Advertisement Finebaum has clearly expressed his views on Venables' future this offseason. He recently stated that Venables has had two disappointing seasons out of three, indicating that Oklahoma is unlikely to tolerate another poor performance. The challenge for Oklahoma is that if it decides to part ways with Venables, it would come at a substantial financial cost. His buyout stands at $34.9 million after this season. The situation is complicated by the fact that Venables signed a significant contract extension just last year. Following the 2023 season, Venables signed a six-year deal approved by the Oklahoma Board of Regents in June 2024. The contract guarantees him an annual salary of over $8.5 million for its duration. He initially signed a six-year, $43.5 million contract with the Sooners in December 2021. Venables' contract is fully guaranteed, and after this season, his buyout will decrease by nearly $10 million each year until the contract expires. Advertisement There is some optimism for the Sooners this season, especially with the addition of top transfer players, including former Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer and former California Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott. Last season, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, and he rushed for 826 yards, scoring 15 touchdowns. Although Ott faced injury challenges during the 2024 season, he had a strong performance in 2023, rushing for 1,315 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. Oklahoma is set to open the season at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 against the Illinois State Redbirds. Related: Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Coach Who Can't Survive Another Bad Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gus Malzahn Names One Player Who Never Got the Credit He Deserved
Gus Malzahn Names One Player Who Never Got the Credit He Deserved originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 1902, the Auburn Tigers began their quest for gridiron domination, finishing 2-4-1 in what would become their first of 122 years of competition. Over the course of more than a century, Auburn has won double-digit games 14 times, claimed two national titles, and nearly won another in 2013. Advertisement Twelve years ago, Auburn went 12-2, going from pre-season unranked to a date with the Florida State Seminoles in the BCS Championship. Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn Auburn ultimately lost 34-31, but the journey to Pasadena, California, was that of legend, including a walk-off field goal return against their rival, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and a victory against the Georgia Bulldogs at the horn that featured a tipped Nick Marshall pass that went to receiver Ricardo Louis for 73-yards. Despite the heartbreaking finish to the season and their third title in program history avoiding their clutches, many of the Auburn faithful hold that 2013 team in high regard. Advertisement On Thursday, ESPN's Paul Finebaum took to Twitter, asking his following to "name an athlete who never got enough recognition in their career." Gus Malzahn's respond? The aforementioned Nick Marshall. Malzahn coached Marshall during the 2013 season, with the dual-threat passer throwing for 1,976 yards and 14 touchdowns against seven picks as a first-year starter. More notably, he tailed 1,068 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground and routinely upped his performances in the fourth quarter. Marshall returned in 2014, again playing under Malzahn, and showed significant improvement as a passer. However, Auburn failed to build on its previous year's success, going 8-5 and losing 34-31 in the Outback Bowl. Related: Auburn WR Getting Recognized as 'Most Underrated' Player in College Football This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'I really like what I see': Paul Finebaum on the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners
'I really like what I see': Paul Finebaum on the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners In the transfer portal era of college football, programs now have the capability to change so much for their team over just one offseason. A team that excelled can get gutted by players transferring elsewhere, while a team that struggled can make upgrades at the necessary positions to improve the following year. That's what fans of the Oklahoma Sooners are hoping happens for their team in 2025. After a poor season in 2024, OU is in serious need of a bounce-back this year. They made plenty of portal additions this winter and spring to try and avoid another subpar season. Oklahoma's biggest portal acquisition came in the form of a QB upgrade. Washington State's John Mateer replaces former starting quarterback Jackson Arnold, who now plays at Auburn. With the Sooners needing a total revamp on offense after last season's dumpster fire, many believe that Mateer is the key to getting OU back to their high standard on that side of the ball. That list includes Paul Finebaum, who covers college football and the SEC for ESPN and the SEC Network. He hosts "The Paul Finebaum Show," where he expressed his high expectations for Mateer and Oklahoma. "I think John Mateer is going to fit in very well," Finebaum said. "This is based on people who have seen him perform out there and those who know the Sooners' depth chart. I really like what I see. It's a big year. A couple of tricky games. The second half of the schedule, to me, is littered with tough road games." Mateer, along with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who also comes from Washington State, will be tasked with getting OU back on track offensively. However, Oklahoma's early schedule includes two big home games against Michigan and Auburn. If the Sooners can topple the Wolverines and the Tigers, they should be 5-0 when they head to the Cotton Bowl to face Texas. After the Red River Rivalry, Oklahoma's final six games are all against brutally tough competition. South Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri and LSU is about as tough of a half-season stretch as you can find in college football. It certainly won't be easy against the nation's hardest schedule, but with a difference-maker in place again at the quarterback position, the Sooners have high hopes for the 2025 season. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Finebaum Calls Major College Football Coach a 'Fraud'
Paul Finebaum Calls Major College Football Coach a 'Fraud' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the world of sports, some teams consistently rise to the top and maintain their success for long periods, while others experience fluctuations in performance. Advertisement The teams that remain at the pinnacle are often referred to as the "blue bloods" of their sport. Examples of such teams in college football include the Alabama Crimson Tide, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Oklahoma Sooners, USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes, among others. While many of these programs continue to perform well today, one team has encountered difficulties: USC. This offseason, the Trojans were ranked as the second-best program in the history of college football. However, they have struggled in recent years. They have achieved only five 10-win seasons since 2009. In contrast, Alabama has achieved 15 10-win seasons during that same timeframe, while Notre Dame has had nine, Oklahoma has had 11 and Ohio State has had 14. On "The Paul Finebaum Show," a caller asked the SEC Network analyst whether USC would ever regain its prominence. Finebaum expressed optimism, stating that he believes they can return to success, but he feels that head coach Lincoln Riley may be a factor holding them back. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks on his Cashore-Imagn Images "I do believe USC is capable because there is so much to offer there," Finebaum said. "They just happen to have a fraud as their head coach." Advertisement Finebaum has been quite critical of Lincoln Riley's tenure at USC, noting that high expectations have not been met with corresponding results. Riley previously found considerable success at Oklahoma, compiling a 55-10 record over his first five seasons in Norman. This success led to four Big 12 championships and three consecutive appearances in the College Football Playoff. When he took over at USC, the program had been struggling, and Riley was perceived as a potential savior. The Trojans had not won 10 games since 2017 and were coming off a disappointing 4-8 season in 2021. In his first year, Riley met expectations by leading USC to an 11-3 record and reaching the Pac-12 Championship Game, though it lost 47-24 to Utah. He also helped quarterback Caleb Williams win the Heisman Trophy. However, the following seasons did not go as well. USC began the 2023 season with high hopes, as Williams returned as quarterback and the team held a preseason ranking of No. 6. Ultimately, the Trojans ended the season with an 8-5 record, losing five of their last seven games. The 2024 season started positively with a win over LSU, but the team finished with a disappointing 7-6 record. Advertisement This led Finebaum to comment that it's difficult to imagine a coach performing worse than Riley has at USC. Despite these challenges, there may be a turning point for Riley and USC after two disappointing seasons. The Trojans boast the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026, with 27 commitments so far, more than any other team. USC is set to open the upcoming season against Missouri State on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Related: Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Coach That's Been a 'Bust' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
