RALPH D. RUSSO
FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban called out Texas A&M on Wednesday night, May 18 for “buying” players in its top-ranked recruiting class with name, image and likeness deals, saying Crimson Tide football players earned more than $3 million last year “the right way.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
SEC spat: Fisher, Saban exchange accusations over NIL deals

By Ralph D. Russo May. 19, 2022 07:28 PM EDT
The Southeastern Conference spring meetings will be held in person for the first time

FILE - At left, Alabama head coach Nick Saban yells to the sideline during the first half of Alabama's NCAA college football scrimmage, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. At right, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher reacts to an official's call during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Oxford, Miss. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher called Nick Saban a “narcissist” Thursday, May 19, 2022. after the Alabama coach made “despicable” comments about the Aggies using name, image and likeness deals to land their top-ranked recruiting classes. Saban called out Texas A&M on Wednesday night for “buying” players. (AP Photo/File)
'We're done': A&M's Fisher fires back at 'narcissist' Saban

By Ralph D. Russo May. 19, 2022 11:42 AM EDT
The Southeastern Conference spring meetings will be held in person for the time since

FILE - The Pac-12 logo is shown during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State, in Tempe, Ariz. on Aug. 29, 2019. The Pac-12 announced, Wednesday, May 18, 2022, it was scrapping its divisional format for the coming season Wednesday, May 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Pac-12 scraps divisions moments after NCAA paves way

By Ralph D. Russo May. 18, 2022 04:30 PM EDT
The Pac-12 announced Wednesday it was scrapping its divisional format for the

FILE - Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith answers questions during a news conference, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. The NCAA seems to have inadvertently opened the door for boosters when it comes to college athletes cashing in on their fame. The latest guidance was developed by a group of college sports administrators that included Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Keeping schools out of NIL dealings opened door for boosters

By Ralph D. Russo May. 13, 2022 01:46 PM EDT
By trying to limit how much schools can help college athletes cashing in on their

FILE - UConn's Paige Bueckers stretches during a practice session for a college basketball game in the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament April 2, 2022, in Minneapolis. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
As leaders lobby, NCAA searches for ways to rein in boosters

By Ralph D. Russo May. 05, 2022 06:09 PM EDT
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The latest lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill by college

FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban is concerned about the current state of college football. He recently told The Associated Press "I don't think what we’re doing right now is a sustainable model.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
AP source: SEC, Pac-12 leaders to push for NIL law in DC

By Ralph D. Russo May. 05, 2022 12:25 AM EDT
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The commissioners of the Southeastern Conference and Pac-12

FILE - Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) hauls in a pass for a touchdown against Duke safety Lummie Young IV (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 6, 2021, in Durham, N.C. Addison is exploring his options. The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver is in the NCAA transfer portal. Addison put in his paperwork by the May 1 deadline and his entry became visible Tuesday. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)
'Momentum' for dumping yearly scholarship limits in football

By Ralph D. Russo May. 03, 2022 09:43 PM EDT
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — College football coaches are pushing for changes to NCAA

FILE - Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) hauls in a pass for a touchdown against Duke safety Lummie Young IV (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 6, 2021, in Durham, N.C. Addison is exploring his options. The 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver is in the NCAA transfer portal. Addison put in his paperwork by the May 1 deadline and his entry became visible Tuesday. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)
Pitt WR Addison, Biletnikoff winner, in transfer portal

By Ralph D. Russo May. 03, 2022 07:15 PM EDT
Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addison is exploring his options. The

Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during the third round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 29, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Howell, Ross, "Punt God" still available on Day 3 of draft

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 30, 2022 02:49 AM EDT
There are stars to be found in the final rounds of the NFL draft. They're just not

FILE - NCAA President Mark Emmert speaks at the opening business session of the NCAA convention Jan. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Emmert is stepping down after 12 years on the job. NCAA Board of Governors Chairman John DeGioia announced the move Tuesday, April 26, 2022, and said it was by mutual agreement. Emmert will continue to serve in his role until a new president is selected and in place or until June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NCAA President Mark Emmert stepping down no later than 2023

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 26, 2022 08:24 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert is stepping down after 12 tumultuous

AP source: Penn State finalizing deal to make BC's Kraft AD

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 26, 2022 11:40 AM EDT
Penn State is working to finalize a deal with Boston College athletic director

FILE - Then-Ohio State receivers coach Stan Drayton calls out to players during NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 16, 2011. New Temple coach Stan Drayton is one of 15 Black head coaches currently set to start next season at 131 FBS schools. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam, File)
Temple, Maryland rare D-I schools with top Black leadership

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 15, 2022 01:22 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In the past year, Temple has hired a new president, athletic

FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban is concerned about the current state of college football. He recently told The Associated Press "I don't think what we’re doing right now is a sustainable model.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Saban: Current state of college football not 'sustainable'

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 13, 2022 01:30 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Nick Saban's willingness to adapt and often be a catalyst for

LSU head coach Brian Kelly watches during LSU Pro Day in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Kelly on leaving Irish for LSU: 'We were on different paths'

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 07, 2022 05:14 PM EDT
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — On the first floor of the LSU Football Operations Center,

The Delaware NCAA college men's basketball team practices at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Delaware will face Villanova in a first round tournament game on Friday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Top colleges accused of violating Black athletes' rights

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 22, 2022 01:07 PM EDT
A group that advocates for college athletes has filed a federal complaint that claims

North Carolina coach Hubert Davis calls a play during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Duke, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Durham, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
ACC returns to Brooklyn, not its typically strong self

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 07, 2022 02:38 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference returns to Brooklyn this week, not

FILE - Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields gets hit by Clemson linebacker James Skalski during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. Skalski was ejected from the game for targeting. Players ejected for targeting in the second half of a college football game could be eligible to play the following game after an appeal through the conference office if a recommendation handed down Friday, March 4, 2022 by the NCAA rules committee is approved.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
NCAA football rules committee recommends targeting appeal

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 04, 2022 04:48 PM EST
Players ejected for targeting in the second half of a college football game could be

FILE - The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium before an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 1, 2021. The College Football Playoff is set to remain a four-team format through the 2025 season after the administrators who manage the postseason failed to agree on an expansion plan before the current contracts run out. A person involved with the decision told The Associated Press on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, that the CFP management committee, comprised of 10 conference commissioners and Notre Dame’s athletic director, met by video conference earlier this week. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)
After early CFP expansion fails, job only gets tougher

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 18, 2022 11:05 AM EST
Not expanding the College Football Playoff sooner won't make it easier to expand it

Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman, left, and associate athletic director of football Ron Powlus listen to Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden speak during a media availability Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Of all the new responsibilities Marcus Freeman now has as the new coach at Notre Dame, hiring assistant coaches might have been the most challenging so far. The 10-person staff was officially completed with the announcement of the hiring of Al Golden as defensive coordinator. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Freeman completes challenge of building staff at Notre Dame

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 16, 2022 06:04 PM EST
Of all the new responsibilities Marcus Freeman now has as the head coach at Notre

AP source: Notre Dame hiring former Miami coach Golden as DC

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 15, 2022 02:01 PM EST
Former Miami coach Al Golden is joining Notre Dame after a stint in the NFL to become