Alabama coach Nick Saban has hired former Florida State linebacker coach Kevin Steele, former Central Florida assistant coach Lance Thompson, who coached the Tide defensive line during the 1999 SEC title season, former Georgia player Kirby Smart, the safeties coach with the Miami Dolphins and former NFL assistant Joe Pendry.

Travis Jones and Bobby Williams, the linebacker and running backs coach with the Dolphins, are reported to have stayed on the Dolphin staff. Rice offensive coordinator Major Applewhite has also been contacted by Saban and Les Miles of LSU to gauge his interest. Some Houston papers report that Applewhite has accepted the quarterback coach position at Alabama, but Saban has not confirmed it. Miami Dolphin assistant Jason Garrett and Houston Texan assistant Steve Marshall are also possibilities for the staff. Mississippi State assistant Shane Beamer is reported to have been offered the special teams coach. Former Tide assistant Chris Ball is expected to be named the secondary coach at Pitt. If Saban had turned down the Alabama job, various reports have said athletic director Mal Moore would have turned to former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino. Saban met with the players for the first time on Wednesday.

Tide coaches are very interested in Michael McNeil (6-2, 197), a defensive back from Davidson High in Mobile, Ala. McNeil has visited Tennessee. He will visit Auburn, FSU and Alabama on consecutive weeks. Joe McKnight (5-11, 185), a five-star athlete from John Curtis High in Louisiana, has received interest from Saban. He is visiting Ole Miss this weekend. McKnight will visit Southern Cal Jan. 19 and LSU Jan. 26. He may also visit Arkansas, Alabama, Texas or FSU.

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said he is determined to convince defensive lineman Marcus Harrison, and running back Peyton Hillis to stay for their senior seasons. Receiver Marcus Monk said he is coming back next season. Junior defensive end Jamaal Anderson and defensive back Chris Houston decided to enter the draft this past weekend. Freshman receiver Damian Williams has requested a transfer to Southern Cal. Hog assistant coach Mike Markuson, who has Minnesota roots, has expressed an interest in the Gopher vacancy. Hog quarterback coach Alex Wood interviewed for the North Carolina offensive coordinator job last week.

Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp denied any rumors of his moving to the Alabama staff by saying he was staying in Auburn. Tiger coaches would love to have Lee Ziemba (6-7, 295), an offensive tackle from Rogers, Arkansas, as one of their top commitments. His two favorite teams are Arkansas and Auburn. McNeil visits this weekend along with Ziemba. Auburn has 20 recruits coming in.

Florida has won the national championship in football and basketball in the same calendar year, the first time a school has done so. Quarterback Chris Leak, who was 25- of- 36 (he intentionally threw away seven passes) for 213 yards and no mistakes, joins Danny Wuerffel as the only two Gator quarterbacks to win league and national titles. Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen’s play calling worked well in the Arkansas game against a blitzing, single coverage team. Against Ohio State the Gators moved the ball slowly against zone coverage team converting 10 third downs (10- of- 19, all five yards or less), including seven in the first half. Six- of- the seven scoring drives were 46, 34, 32, 6, 5 and 39 yards. Ohio State had been behind only once (7-0) to Michigan the entire season. Ends Derrick Harvey (three sacks and a fumble recovery) and Jarvis Moss dominated the Buckeye offensive tackles. Tight end Cornelius Ingram caught four passes for 58 yards, Percy Harvin caught nine passes for 60 yards and Jemalle Cornelius caught five for 50 yards. Florida’s offensive line allowed Leak to be sacked only one sack. Tailback DeShawn Wynn carried 19 times for 69 yards. Kicker Chris Hetland hit field goals of 43 and 40 yards. Buckeye quarterback Troy Smith was held to 4- of- 14 for 35 yards. He rushed 10 times for (-29 yards). Ohio State tailback Antonio Pittman rushed 62 yards on 10 carries. Florida allowed a total of 82 yards.

The replay of the national title game is on Sun Sports Friday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. School officials have said coach Urban Meyer will receive a bump in pay. He receives a $150,000 bonus for the national title win on top of a $475,000 bonus already earned. Meyer’s $1.52 million per year (with perks closer to $2 million) is No. 19 among Division I coaches and No. 5 in the SEC.

The Gators will sign 27 players in February. The Gators could lose receiver Andre Caldwell, linebacker Brandon Siler, free safety Reggie Nelson and Moss, who are juniors, along with five senior starters on defense. Nelson, Moss, and Smith are expected to leave early. Caldwell will announce his decision this week. Siler has yet to decide. Nine players have already enrolled this week including linemen Michael (6-4, 298) and Maurkice Pouncey (6-4, 283), four-star cornerback Ahmad Black (5-10, 170) and three-star receiver Paul Wilson (6-1, 175), all from Lakeland High in Florida. Quarterbacks Bryan Waggener (6-4, 226), a junior college transfer from Glendora, Calif., and Cameron Newton (6-5, 225), who is from Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake High also enrolled. The other enrollees are Bo Williams (6-0, 205), a running back from Oakland Park (Fla.) Northeast, Aaron Hernandez (6-4, 235), a tight end from Bristol, Conn., and Joe Hade (5-11, 195), a receiver from Fort Washington (Md.) Friendly. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has been linked to the Tulsa opening along with former Miami coach Larry Coker.

The Gators received a big verbal commitment from Lorenzo Edwards (6-2, 220), a safety from Orlando Edgewater, who pledged to the Gators during the U. S. Army All-American game last Saturday. Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Michigan and Clemson are also recruiting him. Edwards, the No. 14 safety in the nation according to Rivals.com, could play outside linebacker in college. Jay Howard (6-4, 240), a defensive end from Orlando (Fla.) Jones, is a Gator commitment, but he will visit Auburn next weekend. Terrance Toliver (6-4, 185), a receiver from Hempstead, Texas, is down to Florida and LSU. Alabama called, but Toliver didn’t return the call. Deonte Thompson ( 6-0, 180 ), a four-star receiver from Belle Glade Glades, said he is down to Florida and Miami along with Southern Cal and Ohio State. He visits Florida this weekend. Orlando Franklin (6-6, 290), an offensive lineman from Delray Beach, Atlantic, is deciding between Miami and Georgia. He visits Georgia next weekend. Franklin, who committed to Miami last season, didn’t qualify. Allen Bailey (6-3, 245), a five-star defensive end from Darien, Ga., is till one of Georgia’s top targets. Florida and Alabama are also recruiting him.

Georgia is also bringing in seven recruits for the spring semester that starts this week including Trinton Sturdivant (6-4, 280), an offensive guard from Wadesboro, N. C. Stacy Searels, who coached the same position at LSU the past four years, was named by Coach Mark Richt to replace Neil Callaway, who took the job at UAB. Tight end coach Dave Johnson has been mentioned for the offensive line coaching vacancy at West Virginia.

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said backup quarterback Curtis Pulley should consider either redshirting next season behind starter Andre Woodson or move to another position. Woodson had 31 touchdowns and only seven picks this past season. Defensive coordinator Mike Archer has resigned to take another coaching position. He interviewed for the N C State defensive coordinator position last week. Tailback Rafael Little said he will return to Kentucky for his senior season. Receiver Keenan Burton has until Monday to decide.

LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell has decided to forego his senior season in order to declare for the NFL draft. Backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux is involved in a federal criminal investigation in New Orleans. He has not been arrested on any charges. Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Larry Fedora, Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, Tiger assistant Todd Monken, Applewhite and Garrett are rumored to be among the coaches in the running to replace Tiger coordinator Jimbo Fisher who went to FSU.

Joseph Barksdale (6-6, 323), a defensive tackle from Cass Tech High in Detroit, Michigan, committed to the Tigers during last week’s U. S Army All-American game. Rivals.com considers him the No. 1 player in the state. Barksdale plans on enrolling for the spring semester. Luther Davis (6-4, 254), a defensive end from West Monroe, La., also committed to the Tigers. Davis visited Oklahoma, LSU and Louisville. Phelan Jones (6-1, 185), a four-star cornerback from McGill-Toolen (Ala) in Mobile, is a Tiger commitment, but Saban from Alabama is trying to get him to visit. Coach Les Miles was 22-4 in his first two seasons. Saban had the same record in his last two seasons.

Mississippi State has added former Alabama staff member Charlie Harbison and former Tennessee and Kansas State assistant coach Pat Washington. Bulldog running back Arnil Stallworth was arrested last Wednesday and booked on a felony charge of criminal possession of a forged instrument after he allegedly passed a counterfeit $100 bill at a fast food restaurant in Daphne, Ala.

South Carolina junior receiver Sidney Rice has declared his intentions to go to the NFL. He caught 71 passes this past season. He is No. 6 on the career receptions list with 142. The Gamecocks have 10 commitments from the state of Florida and should sign three or four more in the next few weeks. Larry Freeman (6-2, 215), a receiver from Pearl River Community College., enrolls next week. Jamire Williams (6-0, 180), a cornerback from First Coast High in Jacksonville, turned down Ohio State and Tennessee to commit to the Gamecocks. Eric Baker (5-11, 185), a running back from Ed White High in Jacksonville, said he is firm on his commitment even though Clemson and West Virginia continue to recruit him. Two Hargrave Military linemen are expected to enroll next week: Olufemi Ajiboye (6-2, 305), who signed last year with Virginia Tech and Clifton Geathers (6-8, 285), who committed to Georgia, but never got in school.

Tennessee received a big commitment from Ben Martin (6-5, 230), a defensive end from LaSalle High in Cincinnati, Ohio. Florida and Ohio State are also recruiting the Rivals100 player. Chris Donald (6-2, 220), a linebacker from Huntingdon, Tenn., chose the Vols during the Army All-American game. He is the No. 1 inside linebacker according to Rivals.com. Sidell Corley (6-4, 250), a defensive end from McGill-Toolen (Ala) in Mobile, visits Tennessee this weekend. He is a Florida commitment. Vol receiver Robert Meachem has declared for the NFL draft. Meachem caught 71 passes for 1,298 yards this past season. Tennessee also loses Bret Smith and Jayson Swain due to their running out of eligibility.

Ole Miss Coach Ed Orgeron is negotiating with John Thompson, the former South Carolina defensive coordinator for the same position in Oxford. Thompson is presently the athletic director at Central Arkansas. The Rebels have a verbal commitment from Darnell Williams (6-2, 180), a receiver from Winter Park, Fla. Kentucky, Nebraska, N C State and Central Florida have also extended offers.

Vanderbilt linebacker Jonathan Goff, the team’s leading tackler, is returning for his senior season according to Coach Bobby Johnson. He was a second-team All SEC linebacker.

Florida State has hired Jimbo Fisher, the former LSU offensive coordinator for a three-year contract worth $215,000 (base salary) per year. Fisher is the quarterbacks coach also. Former Nole great Edgar Bennett could be a possibility at running backs coach to replace Billy Sexton as the running backs coach. Former North Carolina coach John Bunting and former N C State coach Chuck Amato have been mentioned as possibilities for linebacker coach. Still, the Noles are struggling to recruit offensive talent. They are ranked No. 35 in the Rivals.com rankings. On offense, they only have one offensive commitment ranked higher than a three-star prospect. Fisher’s presence helps the Noles with five-star athlete Chad Jones in Baton Rouge. Jones (6-2, 200), a five-star safety from Baton Rouge Southern Lab, visits FSU this weekend, Florida next weekend and probably LSU the following weekend. Pro baseball is also a possibility for him.

Marvin Austin (6-2, 320), a defensive tackle from Washington D. C. Ballou, said FSU is his leader. Nole Devine said he is going to visit Milford Prep in N. Y. and Hargrave Military Academy. His four colleges are FSU, Florida, LSU and West Virginia. Chris Little (6-5, 350), an offensive lineman from Twiggs County, Ga., committed to FSU during the Army All-American game, but changed his mind this week and committed to Notre Dame. He visits FSU on Jan. 12. Ahmad Paige (6-3,175), a receiver from Sterlington, La., from is visiting USC this weekend, Florida next weekend and FSU the next weekend. He said the hirings of Fisher and Lawrence Dawsey are important to him. Antoine Carter (6-4, 235), a defensive end from Fort Lauderdale Dillard and an Auburn commitment, is visiting this weekend. Markish Jones (6-0, 185), a receiver from Spartanburg, S.C., said FSU is his leader even though Steele went to Alabama. He is a Clemson verbal. He will visit FSU next weekend and Tennessee Jan. 26. Tight end Brandon Warren is back in Tallahassee despite concerns over his ailing mother in Tennessee.

Miami linebacker Jon Beason is declaring for the NFL draft. He projects as a second or third round pick. Vikings quarterback coach Kevin Rogers was being pursued by Coach Randy Shannon for the Miami offensive coordinator job opening, but he has taken his name out. Southern Cal’s Lane Kiffin, the offensive coordinator and Steve Sarkisian, the quarterbacks coach, have also been mentioned in reports. Minnesota offensive coordinator Mitch Browning has also been mentioned as a possibility. Phillip Bates (6-2, 195), a three-star dual threat quarterback from Omaha (NE) North, is being recruited by the Canes. He is a soft Iowa State commitment. Jonathan Frink (6-1, 214), a three-star linebacker from Oxford, Ms., is also being recruited by Miami. Indiana, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Stanford, South Carolina and Air Force have offered him. Chris Perry (6-3, 319), a defensive tackle from Keller, Texas, changed his commitment from the Canes to Nebraska. Perry is the No. 22 recruit in the Rivals.com Texas top 100.

Clemson running back C J Spiller, who has been rumored to be transferring to Florida due to homesickness concerning his nine-month old daughter, said he is staying. Coach Tommy Bowden said in his final presser that James Davis had come to him after the South Carolina game to talk, but he didn’t request a transfer. Brandon Hicks (6-3, 205), a linebacker from Jacksonville Forrest (Fla.) High, is visiting this weekend. He has visits left to LSU and Miami. He has already visited Nebraska, Florida and Clemson. The Tigers lost their top tight end prospect in Pittsburgh’s Rob Gronkowski (6-7, 258), who committed to Arizona over Clemson, Ohio State. Clemson junior cornerback C. J. Gaddis has declared for the draft.

Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey will interview Saturday for the Pittsburgh Steelers vacancy.

Minnesota job possibilities: Houston coach Art Briles has turned the job down. Former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney, LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, TCU’s Gary Patterson, former Miami coach Larry Coker and Kiffin have been mentioned.

SEC HOOPS

Auburn won its SEC opener for the first time under three-year coach Jeff Lebo. Forward Josh Dollard hit four of five three point shot in the win over Vanderbilt.

Florida coach Billy Donovan had good reason to be excited when Corey Brewer came back this season. He was one of the difference makers in the Gators win over Georgia to begin SEC play. Brewer had 19 points and 10 rebounds, only his second career double-double. He also had seven assists, four steals and a blocked shot.

Kentucky is not a team anyone wants to play, especially in SEC openers. The Wildcats won at Ole Miss to tally their 18th win in the last 20 SEC openers. Joe Crawford had 23 points.

Alabama lost its SEC opener for the fourth straight year, this time in a rout to Arkansas. The Tide scored eight field goals in the first half and had nine shots blocked.

Arkansas beat Alabama in its opener on the strength of 10 blocked shots and tremendous play from point guard Gary Ervin, a Mississippi State transfer who had 18 points and 11 assists.

LSU forward Glen Davis was involved in a car accident early Sunday morning that sent him to the hospital. Tiger coach John Brady said Davis is fine except for some sore ribs and sore knee.

Mississippi State’s road problems continue after losing to Tennessee last Sunday. The Bulldogs haven’t won a SEC road game since the end of the 2004-05 season. Sophomore Jamont Gordon had 25 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in the loss.

Tennessee has won nine straight games since November losses to Butler and North Carolina. This is the Vols longest win streak since starting 9-0 during the 2000-01 season.

South Carolina senior point guard Tre’ Kelly spent some time in jail for as the result of a traffic ticket and a suspended license.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY LINE IN ORANGE PARK, FLA., HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON ESPN 1460 ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY AFTERNOONS ON THE RUMBLE WITH MIKE DEMPSEY AND TOM MCMANUS.