- Former USC associate head coach Tony Bland agreed to a plea bargain Thursday in the wide-ranging federal investigation into college basketball bribery and corruption. This was confirmed by the Los Angeles Times. According to the Times, Bland ” will plead guilty to one felony count of federal funds bribery and get a Level 10 sentencing guideline. That level calls for six to 12 months in prison, but Bland is expected to receive probation since he doesn’t have a previous criminal record.” More on this story HERE.
- Former Louisville head coach Rick Pitino is rumored to have reached an agreement to coach Panathinaikos in the Greek professional league. A a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed this to USA TODAY Sports. Pitino is expected to join the club sometime after Christmas. More HERE.
- Ron Abegglen, the former head coach at Weber State, Alaska-Anchorage, and Snow Junior College has passed away. During his tenure at Weber State, his teams won 20 or more games in five of his eight seasons and he led the Wildcats to three Big Sky titles in 1994, 1995 and 1999. A tribute from WSU can be found HERE.
- Good article HERE by Bill Wagner of the Capital Gazette. “Salisbury decision to oust Andy Sachs makes no sense” is a good read about how a great coach got hosed.
- Speaking of good articles…HoopDirt.com/Just Play Solutions Week 1 DI Coach of the Week Bob Richey received some good ink from Sports Illustrated. It’s a great look into how Richey has turned Furman into “Believers.” The full article can be found HERE.
- Nominations for next week’s Coach of the Week can be sent to: [email protected]. Winners will be selected from the NCAA, DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, JUCO, and USCAA levels.
