Friday, December 7, 2012

Thanks for the loyalty, Butch! ...Butch?...Hello?

The Bearcats outlived the Boilers...

Then the Buffaloes...

All was clear and happy yesterday, Butch belonged to Cincinnati for good.

And with one swift, unexpected twist this morning, he's gone, moving to the SEC to coach the Tennessee Volunteers. 

Jones took this reporter by surprise, as I thought the dust had settled and UC marked up a victory amid the hit of ACC rejection.

I was wrong. Butch is gone. 

Wow.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

No three-peat for UC coaching exits

As the holiday season approaches, I bring you tidings of great joy, Cincinnati: Butch Jones is still a Bearcat.

A story that dragged on for days, UC's football coach withdrew his name from consideration for the Colorado job today, after the Denver Post reported Wednesday that he he had accepted the position.

After the Post's announcement, Jones denied the claims, reportedly turning down $13.5 million over five years with the Buffaloes.

According to Cincinnati.com, if Jones had decided to leave, he would have been the third coach in a row to leave UC after three years (Mark Dantonio to Michigan State after 2006 season, then Brian Kelly to Notre Dame after 2009 season).

UC is 23-14 under Jones after three years and is scheduled to play Duke in the Belk Bowl on Dec. 27 in Charlotte.

The UC athletic department is currently in talks with Jones about redoing his contract. Last season, they extended his existing contract through 2017 after he reportedly turned down offers from Illinois, North Carolina, and UCLA, according to Cincinnati.com.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Butch, Bearcats, Boilers, and Buffaloes

Amid the conference-realignment issues for UC, a bright spot for the football program and the university appeared in the Twitter realm today.

This if from Tom Dienhart, @BTNTomDienhart, of Big Ten Network:


A source close to Butch Jones just told me that the Cincinnati coach is NOT going to . Jones also has an offer from Colorado.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Champs all around

UC Bearcats


UC 34, UConn 17

With the win, Cincinnati (9-3) earns a piece of the four-way split league title, along with Louisville, Rutgers, and Syracuse, all which ended the season with 5-2 Big East records. Because the Bearcats' two conference losses came against the Cardinals and Scarlet Knights, they did not earn a BCS berth and today accepted a bid to play Dec. 27 in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. They will face an ACC opponent to be named later. The bigger concerns for UC fans, however, should be the conference-realignment situation that has left UC in the dark, and the courting of coach Butch Jones by Purdue.

Archbishop Moeller Crusaders


Moeller 20, Toledo Whitmer 12

Big Moe won its eighth state championship in school history, returning the Division I title to Cincinnati.  The game was played a the National Football Hall of Fame's Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Moeller (12-3) lost three games in a five game stretch during the season, but rebounded to end the year with a six-game winning streak. Whitmer (14-1) entered the game averaging 43.9 points per game and had outscored its previous four postseason opponents 178-78, according to Cincinnati.com

Newport Central Catholic


NewCath 30, Caldwell County 26

Across the river, Newport Central Catholic hoisted the Class 2A Kentucky State Championship trophy after a last second touchdown lifted them to victory.  NewCath threw a 54-yard pass to gain the necessary field position, then senior quarterback Josh Cain connected with junior receiver Tyler Lyon for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds remaining in the game.