Mailbag: Cleaning up the holiday leftovers

Updated Dec. 28

I got Ken Follett and you didn't.

I got Tommy Bahama and you didn't.

I got new socks and you didn't.

All that goes under the heading of: What I Got For Christmas Without Sounding Too Pompous?

(New socks?)

Anyway, it's hard to be humble when trading jousts with y'all.

From: Rod

Terry Bowden, a jewel? Once T.B. did not have brother Tommy helping him at Auburn, his winning days were over. WVU can do better!

Rod God:

Sure seems like it. The other candidates are Butch Jones of Central Michigan and Doc Holliday of Florida. Rock on.

(Sarcasm added).

From: Art

You are dead wrong about any Bowden being a good fit with WVU. Oh, it would be great for the Bowdens, but wrong for WVU. The main reason is that the team already includes the players equipped to play the spread offense. That is cutting edge stuff and WVU needs a special talent that can simply continue winning.

Art Snob:

So now the coach should be hired to fit the offense? Michigan must be in trouble.

From: Randy

You are on the mark. Why would WVU hire anyone other someone with head coaching experience and a proven winner?

Terry Bowden has the motivational skills to energize the players and community and the connections to build a super staff. If Ed (Pastilong, AD) hires Doc or some other assistant, we should send him packing.

Leader of the Pack:

Suing Rich Rodriguez ... an extended coaching search ... sniping going back and forth.

Someone mentioned to me that West Virginia is in danger of sinking back to mediocrity given its (lack of) population and facilities.

They might be right.

From: Tony

You should hold off on your comments until you know what you're talking about. It makes you look like an idiot.

Guest Analyst:

Hold off? Why start now?

From: Steve

I would really like to know what is going on with Jeff Bower. Ever since he got booted from Southern Miss, I haven't heard his name once in the coaching vacancies. Do you have any updates on him and why haven't people been going after him with the history and 14 straight winning seasons he had.

Steve:

ADs are looking for newer, younger, better. I love what Jeff Bower did at Southern Miss but he is not seen as an up-and-comer in the profession.

That's sad, but true. He'll land somewhere, don't worry. Some AD will recognize his talents.

The following e-mails refer to the Anthony Zehyoue story of Dec. 21.

From: TD Carey

Thanks for making us realize, once again, how blessed we Americans really are. What that young man went through should never happen to anyone. God Bless us all.

From: Bill

Thanks for the Zehyoue story. It's a good reminder that sports are not even close to the most important things in life. By no means an LSU fan -- GO GATORS!

From: Mike

I deal with international students, many of whom migrated to the U.S., all the time.

These are the students we should look up to and from whom we should listen to their stories. So many American college athletes don't realize how lucky they are to be Americans and playing football at great universities throughout the U.S. and getting a sound college education.

Mike Murphy
International Student Counselor Office of International Affairs
Texas Tech University

Mike:

You probably run across stories like Anthony's every day. Thanks for the kind words.

From: Stewart

I think you media guys have a short memory about Ohio State and BCS success under Jim Tressel.

All that you remember is that in 2007 OSU was humiliated by Florida's speed and that was a condemnation on Big Ten football. In addition, 51 days between the Michigan game and BCS game didn't bode well for a victory.

Let's not forget that you had Troy Smith winning the Heisman and on the speaker circuit gaining 10 pounds before the game and reading their press clipping that they were invincible sure didn't help.

May I remind you the Miami game of 2003 where OSU had the same amount of time between games and that they were playing a faster superior opponent ultimately had a different outcome. Hopefully playing with a chip on their shoulder this year will bode well for the Buckeyes.

Disco Stew:

Short memory? Just about everything you said WE said and is true.

Humiliated by Florida's speed? Check.

Bored after 51 days between games? Check.

Troy Smith picking up accolades and poundage on the awards circuit? Check.

By the way, you're wrong about the layoff in 2002-2003. Ohio State had 41 days off between games that season.

From: John

Mr. Dodd, is the Randy Moss Return Man of the Year Award now defunct? The inaugural award was given to DeSean Jackson last season 2006 but I cannot find ANY info about the 2007 award. Just curious if you knew anything different.

John:

In keeping with the award's namesake who doesn't show up for every play, one can only assume that Moss' award doesn't show up every year.