FLORIDA: Gator defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has agreed to stay on staff as a co-defensive coordinator with Greg Mattison, the former Notre Dame defensive coordinator. Strong and recruiting coordinator Mike Locksley are the only two members of Ron Zook’s staff who are remaining with the team. Mattison has coached at Northwestern, Western Michigan, Navy, Texas A & M, and Michigan. He told Gatorbait.net that his defensive philosophy includes first stopping the run and second preventing big plays. John “Doc” Holliday is the final addition to the staff. He was the receivers and associate head coach at N. C. State. The Gators are losing six offensive linemen, so they need to replenish the unit. Lawrence Wilson (6-6, 230), a defensive end from Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent, has added the Gators to his list of schools along with Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan and Pitt. Reggie Nelson (6-0, 185), a safety from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, said he is down to Florida and FSU. Nelson, the No. 7 rated JUCO by Rivals.com, is visiting Gainesville this weekend. O. J. Murdock (6-0, 178), a four-star receiver from Tampa (Fla.) Middleton, has added the Gators to his list after he was contacted by Gator coach Urban Meyer. FSU, Miami and Tennessee are also in the mix. Linebacker Brandon Siler was named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the league coaches. Siler finished third in tackles with 67 after starting only five games. He had 10 tackles against Vanderbilt, 14 against USC and eight against FSU. Tailback Ciatrick Fason has declared for the NFL draft. (Gainesville Sun, Gatorbait.net)

LSU: Tiger head coach Nick Saban met with Miami Dolphin officials Tuesday night. Saban notified LSU of his meeting. He told reporters Wednesday that he will coach the Tigers in the Capital One Bowl. Senior center Ben Wilkerson has been selected as the co-winner of the Dave Rimington Trophy for college football’s top center. He shared the award with Michigan’s David Baas. Wilkerson allowed only two sacks in eight games. (Advocate.com and Tigerbait.com)

OLE MISS: Southern California assistant coach Ed Orgeron, who interviewed for the job last Friday, was named to the vacant coaching position on Thursday. The Louisiana native has been at USC for the past seven years. He also spent time at Syracuse, Miami, Arkansas and Nicholls State. Some media members questioned his hiring. NFL scout/media analyst Chris Landry told Tigerbait.com that “Ed does not have that experience (of a coordinator) and quite frankly has benefited more himself from his coaching experiences that the football programs have benefited from having him.” Still, Oregeron gets high marks from others for his energy and recruiting ability. Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon had one of the few face-to-face interviews with Rebel officials. San Francisco coach Dennis Erickson (144-57-1 in college) was considered the front-runner for several days. Other names that were mentioned for the job were Jeff Bower of Southern Miss, former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie, former Georgia coach Jim Donnan and San Diego assistant coach Tim Brewster. Former head coach David Cutcliffe is a possibility for the offensive coordinator position at Notre Dame. Former USC assistant coach John Latina, formerly on Cutcliffe’s staff, is also going to the Irish staff. (Clarion-Ledger and RebelGrove.com)

ALABAMA: The Tide had several commitments this week. Zach Schreiber (6-2, 220), a linebacker from Evangel Christian (La.) has committed to Alabama. His team beat West Monroe for the state title Saturday night. Ali Sharrief (5-9, 185), a running back/athlete from Stevenson (North Jackson) has switched his commitment from Auburn to Alabama, partly because the Tigers wanted him to be a linebacker. Michael Ricks (6-2, 185), a cornerback from R. A. Hubbard (Ala.) High, gave Tide coaches his verbal commitment. His team lost to Sweet Water in the 1A title game. Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Louisville and Middle Tennessee State are recruiting him. Lionel Mitchell (6-2, 195), a defensive back from Chatam, Virginia committed to the Tide over the weekend. He spent the fall at Hargrave Military Academy. Georgia, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Florida and Michigan are recruiting him. Mitchell will graduate this month. His is the son of Stump Mitchell, the former NFL running back. Guesly Dervil (5-11, 180), a cornerback from Ed White High in Jacksonville, Florida has attracted the attention of Tide coach Mike Shula. Dervil will visit Alabama, Ole Miss, Illinois, and FSU. He has already visited West Virginia. Colin Peek (6-6, 250), a tight end from The Bolles School in Jacksonville (Fla.) is being recruited by the Tide. Peek was an integral part of the Bolles Class 3A state title team this season. Georgia Tech, Duke, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Tulane and UCF have offered him. His father, Gene, played for Florida and is in the Gator football hall of fame.

Tide junior outside linebacker DeMeco Ryans said he is returning for his senior year. Junior strong safety Charlie Peprah who graduates in January, said he is also coming back. Music City Bowl officials are hoping to break the old attendance record of 59, 221 set by Syracuse-Kentucky in 1999. (Al.com and BOL.com)

TENNESSEE: Freshman quarterback Erik Ainge has returned to practice on a limited basis. He is not expected to play in the Cotton Bowl. Ainge has not played since separating his right throwing shoulder against Notre Dame. Quarterback Rick Clausen will start the bowl game, but Brent Schaeffer will play. Bryan Evans (6-0, 180), a defensive back from Ed White High in Jacksonville, Florida visited Knoxville this past weekend. His top three schools are LSU, Georgia and Tennessee. He has an official visit scheduled to FSU on Jan. 28. Andre Mathis (6-1, 224), a linebacker from Cathedral Prep in Erie Pennsylvania, has committed to the Vols. Iowa, Florida, Michigan State and Ohio State are recruiting him. Receiver James Banks, who was dismissed from the team last week, has admitted to trying to taint a drug test with making agents. He had already failed one drug test during his career. (Volquest.com and Tennessean.com)

AUBURN: The Tigers are focusing on five top tailbacks this season: Antone Smith (5-8, 181) from Pahokee (Fla.) who is looking at Miami, Auburn, N. C. State, Florida and FSU; Tennessee commitment LaMarcus Coker (5-11, 185), from Antioch (Tenn.); Richard Rich (5-9, 177), from Marietta (Ga.), who is being recruited by North Carolina, N. C. State, Minnesota and Wisconsin; Mike Ford (6-2, 205) from Sarasota (Fla.), who has attracted interest from Auburn and Pitt and Mike Davis (5-10, 209), who is being wooed by Auburn, Alabama, and Clemson. The Tigers—except for linebacker Antarrious Williams (wrist surgery)—are healthy for the Sugar Bowl against Virginia Tech. Offensive lineman Danny Lindsey and linebacker Mayo Sowell graduated this week. Auburn interim President Ed Richardson is stepping up the search for a new athletic director. The finalists for the job appear to be Auburn senior athletics director Jay Jacobs, LSU senior athletics director Dan Radakovich and Florida senior athletics director Greg McGarity. (Al.com and Auburnsports.com)

SOUTH CAROLINA: Brandon Isaac (6-2, 185), a safety from Milledgeville (Ga.) Military has committed to USC. He will graduate in March and hopes to enroll at South Carolina in time for spring practice. Mike West (6-2, 215), a safety from El Dorado (Kan.) Butler CC, also committed to USC. He graduates from Butler in December and plans to arrive in Columbia in January. Coach Steve Spurrier has hired Madre Hill, the former Arkansas running back, for his staff. Hill was an Arkansas graduate assistant with one-year experience. Just days after accepting the job as the USC offensive line coach, John Latina, who came from the Ole Miss staff, has left to go to Notre Dame. Spurrier replaced him with former Gator assistant John Hunt. Spurrier talked to Clemson assistants Brad Scott and Burton Burns about joining his staff, but both declined the offer. Scott was reportedly offered a raise of up to $250,000 per year to coach the Gamecock offensive line. Former East Carolina head coach John Thompson is the new defensive coordinator at USC. He coached for Spurrier at Florida. Receiver Troy Williamson has declared for the NFL draft. (The State and Gamecockcentral.com)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: Courtland Fuller (6-0, 180), a receiver/safety from Columbus (Ga.), has committed to State. Josh McNeil (6-4, 270), a center from Collins, Mississippi is down to LSU, Mississippi State and Tennessee. He is the top rated center according to Rivals.com. Former Bulldog coach Jackie Sherrill has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the NCAA and two of its investigators. Coach Sly Croom’s contract has been extended another year (through 2008). State law says his contract cannot run more than four years. (Clarion Ledger and Bulldogblitz.com)

ARKANSAS: The 2005 South Carolina game might be moved from War Memorial Stadium that holds 53,727 to Razorback Stadium that seats 72,000. In another schedule note, Arkansas plays at Southern California next year. Mike Aguirre (6-5, 310), an offensive tackle from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Cypress Bay, has committed to the Hogs. Arkansas has 13 commitments. (Hawgsports.com)

ACC: Commissioner John Swofford said he hopes the ACC will seriously consider using instant replay to help its officials. SEC Director of Officials Bobby Gaston said he is going with the same recommendation to his league office.

FLORIDA STATE: Kendrick Stewart (6-2, 275), a defensive tackle from Lakeland, is visiting FSU Jan. 21. He is also going to visit Pitt and USF. Stewart has speed (4.7) and strength (425 pound bench press). FSU also has a good shot at defensive tackles Callahan Bright (6-2, 315) from Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Jeff Owens (6-3, 280), who is from Plantation (Fla.) High. Emmanuel Dunbar, a 2004 signee, is now fully qualified and is expected to enroll in January. Korey Mangum (6-0, 180), a safety from LaMarque, Texas, will visit FSU Jan. 21. He will also visit Kansas, TCU and Oklahoma. Mangum’s teammate, running back Russell Ball (5-9, 165) has already committed to FSU. Eugene “Geno” Hayes (6-1, 215), a linebacker from Madison County (Fla.) has narrowed his list down to Tennessee and FSU. He has visits left to both schools and might trip to Clemson. He is the top rated linebacker in Florida according to Rivals.com.

Nole receiver Lorne Sam will not play in the bowl game because of foot surgery for a stress fracture. Junior safety Pat Watkins and junior linebacker A. J. Nicholson are leaning toward returning for their senior seasons. Senior safety B. J. Ward is going to apply for a sixth year of eligibility after missing most of the season with a broken foot. He missed the 2000 season after having shoulder surgery. The kicking job between Xavier Beitia and Gary Cismesia is open again. Cismesia missed two kicks against Florida before Beitia kicked a career-best 52-yarder in the fourth quarter. Senior tackle Alex Barron will become one of nine players to have his locker enclosed in the team’s locker room. Barron is a two-time consensus All-American. (Warchant.com)

MIAMI: The Canes have had a week full of commitments starting with Reginald Youngblood (6-5, 280), an offensive lineman from Houston, Texas Washington High. Youngblood is rated the No. 2 offensive tackle in the nation according to Rivals.com. Oklahoma, LSU and Texas are recruiting him. Spencer Adkins (6-0, 228), a linebacker from Naples (Fla.) has also pledged to the Canes. He is the No. 6 rated outside linebacker in the nation according to Rivals.com. A. J. Trump (6-4, 285), an offensive lineman from Clearwater Catholic High chose Miami over Florida and Notre Dame. He is the No. 15 rated offensive guard according to Rivals.com. Jerrell Mabry (6-2, 249), a fullback/tailback from Columbus (Ga.) Shaw and Eric Houston (6-2, 220), a linebacker from Miami Coral Reef, both committed to the Canes. Houston led Dade and Broward counties with 110 tackles. Jon Demps (6-3, 225), a linebacker from Pensacola (Fla.) Washington is visiting the Canes next weekend. FSU, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss and Auburn are his top five schools. (Canesport.com)

VIRGINIA TECH: Quarterback Bryan Randall was named the Associated Press Player-of-the-Year. He had 75 votes compared to Miami quarterback Brock Berlin who had 13. Randall was also named the Offensive Player-of-the-Year. (The State)

CLEMSON: Linebacker Leroy Hill was named the ACC Defensive Player-of-the-Year with 20 votes compared to Maryland linebacker from D’Qwell Jackson with 17. Hill had 106 tackles, including 19 for loss and eight sacks. Former BYU coach Gary Crowton has had contact with Tommy Bowden pertaining to the vacant offensive coordinator position. LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher and Toledo offensive coordinator Rob Spence are also being considered. (TigerIllustrated.com)

GEORGIA TECH: Maurice Wells (5-10, 175), a running back from Sandalwood (Fla.) High in Jacksonville, is down to two teams—Tech and Ohio State. He is going to announce his decision at the U. S. Army All-Star game on Jan. 15. After missing three of the last four games because of knee surgery, tailback P. J. Daniels, is back practicing. Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta has interviewed for the vacant Ohio University head coaching position. (Jacketsonline.com)

N.C. STATE: Tailback T. A. McClendon has decided to skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. He scored 35 touchdowns during his career, third in State history. (heraldsun.com)

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FL.
HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM AND SAMSPORTSLINE.COM.