Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell has been named the head football coach at Miami, the RedHawk Athletic Department announced Friday. Treadwell will be re-introduced to Miami fans and media at Miami University’s Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester on Jan. 10 at 5:45 p.m.
“It’s a dream come true to return to my alma mater Miami as head football coach,” said Treadwell, who has spent the past four seasons at Michigan State’s offensive coordinator. “Miami has always held a special place in my heart, and the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Cradle of Coaches’ is a privilege as well as a responsibility.
“I have a blueprint for success for our student-athletes: in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community. Everyone in the program plays an important role, and with all of us heading in the same direction, we can add a new chapter to the rich tradition of Miami football. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get started.”
-The University of Michigan football program announced today (Dec. 30) that reserve sophomore quarterback Tate Forcier did not meet University standards and is ineligible to participate in the Gator Bowl.
Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Jim Tressel spent about 25 minutes with the press, a vast majority of them local writers and followers of Ohio State football. Tressel opened with a timeline of the activities that took place regarding the NCAA issue in the week or so before Christmas. He then said, prior to making the trip to the Sugar Bowl, the coaches asked the five players – Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor and Solomon Thomas – to “make any decisions regarding their future on the NFL prior to our leaving for the bowl game.”
Tressel said those decisions were made, and when asked for clarification, he said “they wouldn’t be here if they weren’t coming back next year.”
And he added: “The players are in the family. They are on the trip. They want to be Buckeyes in 2011. They are remorseful for judgements they have made and they are anxious to have a great experience at the Sugar Bowl.”
Also coming out of the Tressel press conference…
No more comments The coach said that, because of the appeals process with the NCAA sanctions, it is “not in bounds at all for them [any player on the team] to talk about the situation.”
Playing time The five individuals will play “as to what they deserve to play from a football standpoint.”
-Interesting quote from Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald about type of player QB Dan Persa is, his health and how he’s helped QB Evan Watkins prepare:
“He is way ahead of schedule. Our medical staff is telling me that he is three or four weeks ahead of schedule already. He has been cleared already for spring practice, which is looking certain but I will know more as we get closer. Dan is a Heisman Trophy candidate.
That’s the way I look at him. He’s a difference maker, he’s a winner and he’s a great leader. When you’re hardest worker is a guy who shows up first and goes home last and a guy who brings everyone along with them, is also one of your best players, you’ve got a chance to have a very special young man and a very special team. I said it after the Penn State game, if you give me 22 Dan Persa’s, and this is no disrespect to any other players, but if you give me 22 of him, we’ll take on anybody. He’s got that kind of attitude and that kind of work ethic. I’m excited to have him back.