Monday, November 25, 2013

Jerry Glanville wants to coach Eastern Michigan

Jerry Glanville wants to be a head coach again and he's hoping that Eastern Michigan will give him another shot at coaching glory.

The former Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers coach told the USA Today that he has applied for the job and can be the man that turns around the perrennial Mid American conference losers.

"I love coaching football," Glanville said. "The bottom line is coaches coach, preachers preach. They do that until they put them in the box."

Glanville said he has not spoken directly to EMU about the job but has several assistants in mind for his potential staff.

“The fun of Eastern is you’re not going to walk into the living room and take a kid away from Ann Arbor,” Glanville said. “You’ve got to get the kid that, two years after you got him, Ann Arbor wishes they have.”

“I know the history. I know it’s been hard, it’s been tough,” Glanville said. “Will there be challenges? Anytime you take a head job, whether you’re with the Lions or Eastern Michigan, your job is to keep the bus going down the road, and there’s going to be flat tires. Things are going to go wrong. Well, you keep the bus going down the road, and that’s really what these jobs are all about. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at.”

Former EMU quarterback Ron Adams, ex-Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley, now an assistant with the Buffalo Bills, former Miami (Ohio) coach Mike Haywood, and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin, previously with Grand Valley State are also rumored to be candidates for the job.

Glanville would be the face of the program and generate plenty of buzz, but at 72 I don't think he would be a serious candidate for the job. He's more sizzle than steak and i don't think he's someone you arm with a five year contract to rebuild your college football program.

"It Girl" of the week: Tiffany Upshaw

The Just Sports & Just Us "It Girl" of the week is Tiffany Upshaw.

The bi-racial beauty was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. She has been an endorsed Athlete & Fitness Model with Optimum Nutrition & American Bodybuilding since 2008.









Two suspects in custody in fatal shooting of Eastern Michigan football player

Two suspects are in custody in connection with the shooting of an Eastern Michigan University football player found dead in October at his off-campus apartment building, the university reported Monday.

According to a statement made by Eastern Michigan, “the Ypsilanti Police Department has identified two individuals in connection with the murder of Demarius Reed. Both are in custody.”

Ed Thomas, 20, of Detroit, was arraigned Sunday on charges of open murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, records show. Charges have also been filed against Kristopher Pratt, 20, also of Detroit, on charges of open murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

“I have a mix of emotions right now,” said Reed’s father, Carl, on Monday. “It brought relief that the police have been working so diligently and doing a good job to work the case, but it also brought sadness because all of those feelings have resurfaced.”


Reed, 20 and a junior, was gunned down about 7:15 a.m. Oct. 18 in the University Green Apartments on the 700 block of West Clark Road in what appeared to be a robbery. He was left to die in the hallway of the off-campus apartment building.



Tigers trying to work out a deal with Brian Wilson

The Detroit Tigers came into the offseason with the goal of acquiring a closer. After finally settling on Joaquin Benoit, the Tigers knew they had to revamp the bullpen.

After being mentioned as a possible suitor for Joe Nathan, the Tigers reportedly are in negotiations with free agent closer Brian Wilson.

 Wilson met Sunday with Tigers manager Brad Ausmus and with Wilson’s agent, Dan Lozano, in Los Angeles.

Wilson, 31, is coming off a partial 2013 season in which he posted an ERA of 0.66 in 13 2/3 innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wilson didn't make his season debut until Aug. 22 because he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery performed in April of 2012.

Wilson was a three time All Star with the San Francisco Giants, where he had his greatest success. If the Tigers can  sign Wilson it would address the glaring hole in the bullpen they've been trying to ever since Jose Valverde was forced to relinquish the closer's role.

Along with the Tigers, Wilson has also reportedly drawn interest from the Rockies, Rangers, Angels, Mariners and the Indians. He's reportedly looking for a multi-year deal.