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Goon Over Miami: Jets Assistant Coach Apologizes for Tripping Dolphins Player

Dec. 12: New York Jets assistant Sal Alosi apologized after blatantly tripping Miami's Nolan Carroll on the sideline during Gang Green's 10-6 loss to the Dolphins Sunday.

New York Jets assistant coach Sal Alosi apologized after blatantly tripping Miami's Nolan Carroll on the sideline during Gang Green's 10-6 loss to the Dolphins Sunday.

The strength and conditioning coach was ushered out of New Meadowlands Stadium by a staff member, ignoring interview requests by the New York Post and protected by two security members at an exit.

After the Jets confirmed he was the guilty tripper and the NFL announced it was reviewing the play, Alosi apologized.

"I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment," Alosi said in a statement, adding that he apologized to Carroll and Dolphins coach Tony Sparano .

"My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for. I accept responsibility for my actions as well as any punishment that follows."

"The team is reviewing the situation and is looking into the appropriate next steps,'' Jets media chief Bruce Speicht said in a statement.

During the third quarter of the game, Alosi -- on the sidelines wearing Jets raingear and white tennis shoes -- appeared to stick his left knee out and tripped Carroll as the cornerback ran out of bounds on punt coverage. Carroll fell and had to be attended to by medical staff on the Jets sideline, before eventually returning.

Alosi, who was wearing a green hat at the time, conspicuously switched to a black hat in the middle of the game. Then he took the hat off altogether.

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Nolan Carroll tripped on sideline by Jets' strength coach Sal Alosi

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Update 6/22/2015: Alosi is once again in the news, but this time for a very different reason. According to reports P. Diddy was arrested for  allegedly attempting to assault Alosi with a kettlebell at a UCLA workout. Alosi is now a strength coach with the Bruins.

Miami Dolphins defensive back Nolan Carroll was tripped as he ran along the New York Jets' sideline, attempting to cover a punt. Gunners on punt coverage routinely run along the sideline as they are pushed toward the boundary by blockers. This time, however, Carroll was interfered with and tripped by New York Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi.

Initially, the culprit was unidentified, but Alosi apologized in a statement issued by the team following the game.

"I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment," Alosi said "My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for."

Two days after the incident, Alosi was suspended for the remainder of the season and fined $25,000 by the Jets. The NFL also levied a $100,000 fine against the Jets for the incident. According to reports, Alosi told inactive players to stand shoulder-to-shoulder and form a wall on the sideline.

( The original post from December 12, 2010 has been updated)

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Contrite Jets Suspend Coach After Sideline Trip of Dolphin

By Greg Bishop

• Dec. 13, 2010

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Minutes before the Jets’ strength coach, Sal Alosi, expressed remorse Monday for purposely tripping an opponent on the sideline during a game the day before, Dicky Maegle answered his telephone in Katy, Tex.

Maegle predicted exactly what Alosi would say in his defense: that he was not thinking, that he made a mistake, that it took place in the moment. Maegle knew this because something similar happened to him in the 1954 Cotton Bowl, and when he watched the replay of Alosi’s gross misconduct, the memories came rushing back.

“People don’t understand,” said Maegle, 76, who changed the spelling of his name from Moegle to make it phonetically correct. “It’s not funny. When someone blindsides you like that, you could be injured for life. That’s why they put the chalk lines on the field. To keep your butt behind them.”

After spending Monday afternoon engaged in damage control, an art they have practiced with relatively high frequency this season, the Jets punished Alosi. They suspended Alosi without pay for the remainder of this season, including any possible playoff games, and fined him $25,000. General Manager Mike Tannenbaum said he did not expect further discipline from the N.F.L.

“We take full responsibility,” Tannenbaum said. “We’re going to hold Sal accountable for his actions.”

Alosi said, “I accept responsibility for my actions and respect the team’s decision.”

When asked if the Jets would fire Alosi, Tannenbaum said: “I’m not going to get into hypotheticals. We felt it was the appropriate action to take.”

Alosi became perhaps the first strength coach in league history to draw national attention in season on a Monday — for the wrong reason.He offered another mea culpa from behind the lectern, apologized to Miami cornerback Nolan Carroll and labeled his behavior inexcusable and irresponsible. He added, “You’re asking me to give you a logical explanation for an illogical act.”

Maegle, the victim of another illogical act, had firm ideas on Alosi’s punishment.

“I don’t think they can allow him back on the field for the remainder of the season and maybe the next,” he said before the suspension was announced. “The player didn’t get hurt, but who’s to say he wouldn’t? I’d also fine him.”

In 1954, Maegle played running back for Rice. In the Cotton Bowl against Alabama, with Rice ahead in the second quarter, 7-6, he broke free around right end, juked the future Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr and dashed up what looked like an open sideline.

At least until an Alabama player named Tommy Lewis ran onto the field and tackled Maegle, who finished with 265 rushing yards, a game record at the time, in Rice’s 28-6 triumph. Lewis, Maegle said, appeared to recognize the magnitude of his mistake instantly, as he sat at the end of the bench and dropped his head into his hands.

Soon afterward, Ed Sullivan invited both players to Manhattan to appear on his television show. Maegle went, against his wishes, because Rice wanted the publicity, and he flew on propeller planes from Dallas to Atlanta to Washington to New York.

Maegle said Lewis had apologized after the Cotton Bowl, with tears streaming down his face. Lewis seemed “convivial, nice and polite,” and “very Southern.” Maegle said Lewis told him that he was “so full of Alabama,” he could not stand to watch Maegle score again.

But that went only so far. After the show, Sullivan told Maegle he had booked the two players a single room at the Waldorf Astoria. Maegle requested and received not only separate rooms, but rooms on separate floors.

Jets Replay: Week 14

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“I could have ended my career in a wheelchair,” Maegle said. “I had accepted his apology, but who knows? He might have had a nightmare and thrown me out the window.”

The Dolphins took similar issue with Alosi’s actions after he tripped Carroll, who was covering a punt return in the third quarter. Carroll limped to his sideline but later returned. He told reporters the trip “was not important,” but linebackers Channing Crowder and Karlos Dansby disagreed. Crowder told reporters, “I would have gotten up and broken the old man’s leg” and said it spoke “to the character of the Jets.”

The notion surfaced Monday that the Dolphins’ punt-return gunners had continually run up the Jets’ sideline, out of bounds, and perhaps Alosi and others had been instructed to stand closer to the field, acting like a barricade. Alosi and Jets Coach Rex Ryan denied that.

On Monday afternoon, Alosi, a former Hofstra linebacker in his second stint with the Jets, called the Jets’ owner, Woody Johnson; Miami Coach Tony Sparano; and Tannenbaum. Alosi apologized to Carroll at the stadium on Sunday night. Ryan said he “admired” that Alosi had taken responsibility, but added, “I was stunned that something like this actually took place.”

Alosi took more responsibility than the Jets’ players did for their two-game losing streak. During the hour of news-media availability, only 8 of 53 players answered questions.

And Ryan continued to answer for his team’s lack of discipline, or renegade persona, and he was asked if Alosi’s trip counted as the latest example in a growing body of evidence of bad behavior. Ryan disagreed, calling such reasoning unfortunate.

The Jets have three games to right their season, but the incident is likely to stick to Alosi for far longer. Lewis told The San Antonio Express-News in 2003 that “anyone who knows me, and all of my old teammates, would never dare bring it up.”

“They know that play devastated me,” he said, “and I still have to live with it. I can’t take it away.”

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Jets' Alosi Resigns, Seeks 'Fresh Start' After Tripgate

February 1, 2011 / 10:13 AM EST / CBS New York

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Sal Alosi decided it was time to move on.

The embattled New York Jets strength and conditioning coach resigned Monday, less than two months after he was caught tripping an opposing player during a punt return and suspended by the team.

Alosi was initially docked without pay for the rest of the season and fined $25,000 by the team for sticking out his knee to trip Miami's Nolan Carroll during a game at the New Meadowlands Stadium on Dec. 12. He was suspended indefinitely by the team a few days later after acknowledging he ordered players to form a wall along the sideline .

"After the events that have transpired, I feel it's best for my family and me to look for a fresh start," Alosi said in a statement issued by the team.

During a news conference the day after the incident, Alosi fought back tears as he called his actions — tripping Carroll — "inexcusable and irresponsible." He also said no one was instructed to stay up on the sideline to prevent Dolphins players from running out of bounds on kicks. Miami's Reshad Jones was penalized for doing that earlier in the game.

It wasn't until two days later that Alosi was suspended indefinitely after he acknowledged telling the players to form the wall — information he didn't initially volunteer.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum said during a conference call last Friday that the team had not yet made a decision on Alosi's future.

"After speaking with Sal, he decided that it is best for him to tender his resignation at this time," Tannenbaum said.

Alosi was first with the Jets from 2001-05, then worked for the Atlanta Falcons for one season before he was hired by then-New York coach Eric Mangini in 2007 to be the head strength and conditioning coach. A former linebacker at Hofstra, Alosi earned an award for sportsmanship and fair play both on and off the field during his college career.

Does this end the Jets' Tripgate fiasco? Sound off in the comments below...

Statement from the Jets:

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Sal Alosi has resigned. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

"After speaking with Sal, he decided that it is best for him to tender his resignation at this time," said Tannenbaum. "We appreciate all of Sal's contributions during his tenure with the team. He played an invaluable role in our success and established what we feel is one of the better strength and conditioning programs in the NFL."

Named head strength and conditioning coach in 2007, Alosi ends his second stint with the Jets after serving as the team's assistant strength and conditioning coach from 2002-05. He spent the 2006 season as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Atlanta Falcons. Alosi played college football at Hofstra from 1996-2000 and served as the school's assistant strength and conditioning coach in 2001.

"I'm thankful to have been a part of the New York Jets," said Alosi. "I am especially grateful to Mr. Johnson, Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan for allowing me the opportunity to be a head strength and conditioning coach in this League. I have many fond memories, including earning my first NFL job in 2002. After the events that have transpired, I feel it's best for my family and me to look for a fresh start. I wish nothing but the best for the entire organization."

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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UFL coach accuses NFL teams of breaking this rule with standout UFL player: 'They're not supposed to do that'

Michigan panthers kicker jake bates is so good that it's causing drama between the ufl and nfl.

The UFL has only existed for two weeks and Jake Bates has already managed to make a name for himself. The Michigan Panthers kicker is drawing NFL attention after an impressive debut that saw him boot a field goal from beyond 60 yards in each of his first two games. 

NFL teams started to take notice of Bates after he hit a game-winning kick from 64 yards in Week 1, and now, it appears they're practically drooling over him after he followed that up with a 62-yard field goal in Week 2 . The two kicks made Bates just the second player in football history -- along with former Cowboys kicker Brett Maher -- to hit a field goal of 60 yards or more in consecutive weeks. 

According to Panthers head coach Mike Nolan, several NFL teams have tried to contact Bates, which is a problem, because it's against the rules for an NFL team to contact a UFL player during the season. 

"Outsiders don't touch our players too much during the season," Nolan said Tuesday, via the Detroit Free Press . "With Jake, somehow some of them are trying to make efforts to do that, to be honest with you, and hopefully that backs off a little bit because that's not -- they're not supposed to do that. And maybe that's rumor, but I had heard something the other day and I kind of said, 'Well, let's make sure we nip that in the bud,' because, look, I want Jake to do well and I want him to get a chance."

NFL teams are allowed to contact the team about Bates, but they aren't allowed to have direct contact with the player. If anyone in the UFL knows the rules about who NFL teams are allowed to have contact with, it's definitely Nolan, who has 33 years of NFL coaching experience under his belt, including a five-season stint as the 49ers' head coach. 

Nolan wants to see Bates get to the NFL, but that can't happen until after the UFL season ends in June. 

"I'd love to see him in the NFL," Nolan said. "No one right now can do him any good, so the best thing I can do is keep those people away from him currently, because I'm not helping Jake if I don't do that."

Bates has gone 3 for 3 on field goal attempts this season, and if he keeps it up, Nolan thinks he'll have a shot to make it in the NFL. 

"Looking at the league and getting into the league, for him, obviously he's just going to have to continue to show consistency through the season," Nolan said. "I know there's a lot of people right now looking at him because of his leg strength, both on his kickoffs as well as the field goals, but more importantly the field goals because if you can get points from far out, obviously you're very valuable to the team."

As Nolan noted, consistency will be a big key when it comes to whether Bates can make it in the NFL. The Panthers kicker, who hadn't attempted a field goal since high school before the UFL season started, was actually in an NFL training camp last year. Bates spent one preseason game with the Houston Texans, but he got released just days after missing an extra point in that game. 

Although he's already showed off a booming leg, he'll need to prove that he can reliably kick extra points if he's going to win an NFL job. The problem there is that kicking extra points is something that he won't be able to work on in the UFL. At least not in a game situation. The new spring league doesn't use kickers for extra points. Instead, teams can choose to go for one, two or three points by snapping the ball from the 2-, 5- or 10-yard line. 

Bates also has yet to attempt a field goal outdoors and he won't get the opportunity to do that until an April 28 game (Week 5) in Memphis. All three of his field goals this season have come at Ford Field. 

Of course, no matter how the rest of the season plays out for Bates, it's almost a certainty that he'll at least be getting an invite to an NFL training camp, thanks to his monstrous leg, and if he shows consistency, then there's a good chance that he could be kicking in the NFL in 2024. 

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• Why is Tripping a Penalty in Football? (Full Explanation)

By Coach Martin | Football Basics

• You are here:
• Football Basics

Offensive and defensive players in football are constantly trying to get an edge over their counterparts during games.

They learn different techniques for blocking and/or evading those blocks in an effort to accomplish their main task on a play.

Sometimes, players may think that an easy way to stop their opponent is to stick out their foot and trip another player.

However, doing so will result in a penalty.

When so much else is legal in football when it comes to blocking or evading a block, you might wonder why tripping is even a penalty.

There are good reasons why this is the case.

For one thing, tripping can result in players suffering major injuries, which is something all football leagues want to avoid.

Below, we'll discuss what a tripping penalty actually is, and then we'll go over why tripping is a penalty in football

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What is a Tripping Penalty?

A tripping penalty happens any time a player trips another player from the opposing team on purpose .

The penalty can occur either during a play or after the play is over -- which leagues categorize as a dead-ball foul.

Most of the time, tripping occurs on players who do not have the football. For example, an offensive lineman tripping a defensive player to prevent him from getting to the quarterback or the ball carrier.

Tripping is still illegal on a ball carrier, however.

For example, if a defender sticks out his foot to trip a RB while they're running with the ball, he will be called for a tripping penalty.

In order to tackle a ball carrier, a defender must deal a big blow to him or wrap him up and tackle him down.

Why Players Trip Other Players

Most of the time, players commit tripping penalties as their last resort before missing out on their responsibility during the play.

For example, if an offensive lineman is going to miss a blocking assignment or if another defender is blitzing and is about to burst through the line of scrimmage, that offensive lineman might stick out his foot to trip the player to prevent them from breaking through.

Defenders will sometimes do the same thing as they are being blocked and see a running back about to dart past them with the ball.

The defender might think it's better to try to stop them at all costs, even if doing so results in a penalty.

The Result of a Tripping Penalty

When referees call a tripping penalty, the team that commits the foul will receive a 10-yard penalty.

This is true whether the offensive or defensive side commits the foul.

If the offense commits the penalty, the down will repeat. For example, if it's 2nd-and-7 when the penalty occurred, the next down will be 2nd-and-17.

If the defense commits the penalty, the offense will move the ball forward 10 yards, resulting in an automatic first down for the next play.

Some people may look at this and say that taking a tripping penalty could be worth it, based on the result of the infraction...

After all, taking a 10-yard penalty on offense might be better than allowing a defender to burst through the line and deliver a hard hit on the quarterback that could result in a turnover.

Likewise, a defender tripping a ball carrier and taking a 10-yard penalty and giving the offense a first down might be better than allowing the ball carrier to burst free for a touchdown.

If you only look at the tripping penalty from that angle, you may see how taking the penalty might not only be justified, but actually a smart play.

Why is Tripping is a Penalty a Football?

The reason why tripping is a penalty is that it's very dangerous -- to BOTH the player who gets tripped and the player committing the foul. 

When a player sticks out his leg to trip another player, he puts his lower body in a very vulnerable position.

The person who's committing the foul is outstretching his leg and will make hard contact with the lower body of another player.

It's very easy for the player to get his foot and ankle stepped on or violently twisted. It's also possible that both players could "knock knees," which has been known to cause devastating and potentially career-ending injuries.

The same is true of the player getting tripped.

While tripping may not seem too bad, it can have similar effects to a chop block or other block below the waist.

The player is going full-steam-ahead in one direction, only to be blindsided and have his body violently stopped in the other direction.

This can cause major injuries to the thighs, knees, hamstrings, ankles, and feet of the player who is being tripped.

They could also suffer other upper-body injuries as they are taken to the ground quickly as if they were a ball carrier.

The high potential for injury is why tripping is a penalty in football.

Tripping may sound like a good idea compared to the alternative on a particular play, but it's never something football players should resort to.

It can be hard to avoid doing at times, as players sometimes almost instinctually stick out their legs to trip someone if they miss an assignment.

But coaches need to educate players on the dangers of tripping.

It's an illegal play in football because of the high likelihood that it could cause serious injury — and because of that, players need to avoid doing it at all costs.

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Home » Youth Football Trips Formation & More

Youth Football Trips Formation & More

The ability to overload one side or the other with your youth football Trips formation is a powerful tool to use particularly if the opponent’s coaches don’t know how to adjust.   A lot of Pop Warner youth football formations are balanced.

This gives you a threat to both sides so when you start overloading to one side the defense can be outnumbered unless they account for the strong side of the formation. This is the primary reason you should consider this formation if your league allows you to run it.

NFL Coaches On 12 Important Youth Football Formations

It is important to note though that as the offensive coordinator you have to be able to recognize the adjustments to your formation as they show up. The overload advantage can turn into a problem if you do not have an answer back to the weak side. It would be a mistake to assume the defense will not eventually adjust. The good news is you have a weak side run game with your back and even an effective jet sweep.

A Youth Football Trips Formation Forces Adjustments

The FirstDown PlayBook youth football Trips formation is one of our “single width” formations. A single width formation has an extended wide out(s) to only one side. In the case of the Trips formation it is also a 3×1 configuration giving you plenty of offense to the strong side. We favor this formation over a Trips formation look that has extended receivers to both sides for Pop Warner aged players. This way you have the advantage of trips but both of your edges are protected for the run game too.

Get As Fancy As You Want But You Better Have This Play On Your Call Sheet

Once again, that can be a good thing if you know what to look for from the defense as they begin to adjust. You even have a built in sprint out pass game to help your young quarterback as well. We have previously looked at this with more detail in some of our Youth Football Chalk Talks . You can always take advantage of these helpful clinics on FirstDown PlayBook once you become a member.

FirstDown PlayBook offers you 12 different formations just like this youth football Trips formation. You should consider one or two of these for your Pop Warner offense. Tap on any one of the tiles below to visit the article describing that formation . Then get on over to FirstDown PlayBook to get busy coaching your Pop Warner team with the best football playbook available!

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UConn hires former coach who tripped NFL player

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MANSFIELD, Conn. (AP) — The University of Connecticut has hired a former NFL coach to the men’s basketball team who made national headlines for tripping a player.

UConn announced Wednesday it has hired Sal Alosi as the team’s director of human performance. The 41-year-old will replace Ed Streit, who was last season’s strength and conditioning coach.

Alosi was suspended and fined $25,000 by the New York Jets in 2010 after he tripped a Miami Dolphins player during a game.

He was later hired by the University of California, Los Angeles, where he got into a confrontation with Sean “P. Diddy” Combs in 2015.

UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley says Alosi has learned from his experiences and will bring “intensity and toughness” to the team.

The details of his contract have not been released.

Trips Formation Football

Football formations play a crucial role in the success of an offense. One such formation that has gained significant popularity is the Trips formation. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the intricacies of the Trips formation, its advantages, and some of the best plays to run out of it. Whether you are a coach or a player looking to understand this formation better, this article will provide you with valuable insights and strategies to excel on the field.

Understanding the Trips Formation

Why the trips formation works, key elements of the trips formation, trips formation plays, 3. skinny post attack, 4. scissors.

The Trips formation is characterized by three wide receivers lining up on the same side of the field. This offensive strategy, initially popularized by Joe Gibbs and the Washington Redskins, aims to create confusion and exploit defensive weaknesses.

The Trips formation proves effective due to its ability to create mismatches and flood the defense on one side of the field. By aligning three receivers in a clustered formation, the offense puts pressure on the defense to make challenging decisions. This formation forces the defense to either commit additional defenders to the Trips side, leaving other receivers in one-on-one matchups, or cover the Trips side with fewer defenders, creating opportunities for open spaces.

While the basic Trips formation features three wide receivers, there are variations and combinations that can be utilized to maximize its effectiveness. For instance, the “Shotgun, Trips right, slot left” formation indicates that the tight end and two wide receivers would line up on the right side of the field, while two receivers would line up on the left side of the field. The quarterback typically positions himself at least five yards behind the center, ready to execute the play.

To fully unleash the potential of the Trips formation, teams have developed a range of strategic plays. Let’s delve into some of the best plays commonly employed when utilizing the Trips formation.

The Smash play is a versatile concept that provides answers against multiple coverages. In this play, the Trips side features a single wide receiver running a corner route, while the running back executes an arrow route into the flat. Meanwhile, the other receiver on the Trips side runs a deep dig route, and the remaining receiver runs a shallow cross.

The Smash play effectively exploits the defense by creating a high-low read for the quarterback. Against zone coverage, the outside receivers often find themselves in one-on-one matchups, with the safeties focused on deep routes. This play offers ample opportunities for receivers to find open spaces and make significant gains.

The Box play is designed to create confusion and exploit the middle of the field. By sending three out of the four routes toward the middle, the offense forces defenders to navigate through crowded areas. This play aims to create mismatches and open spaces for receivers to exploit after the catch.

In the Box play, the outside receiver runs a deep post route, while the other receiver on the Trips side executes a go route down the sideline. Simultaneously, the inside receiver runs a shallow drag route from right to left, while the remaining receiver runs a dig/in route about ten yards downfield.

The Skinny Post Attack play is particularly effective at attacking the defense at multiple depths on the Trips side of the field. By stretching the defense vertically and horizontally, this play forces defenders to make challenging decisions in coverage assignments.

In the Skinny Post Attack, the outside receiver runs a deep fade route down the left sideline, often creating a one-on-one matchup. On the Trips side, the inside receiver runs a skinny post route, the middle receiver executes a deep hitch route, and the remaining receiver runs a deep post route. This play aims to exploit the open spaces and create confusion within the defense.

The Scissors play exemplifies how the Trips formation can utilize crossing routes to confuse defenders and create open spaces. This play involves two receivers on the Trips side running mirroring routes, crossing each other at certain points. The other two receivers run clear-out routes to take advantage of the free space created by the crossing routes.

In the Scissors play, the receiver closest to the line of scrimmage on the Trips side runs a deep post route, while the other receiver runs a deep corner route. Simultaneously, the receiver closest to the line of scrimmage on the opposite side executes a shallow drag route, and the remaining receiver runs a straight go route. This play aims to exploit the confusion caused by crossing routes and create opportunities for receivers to make big plays.

The Trips formation has revolutionized offensive strategies in football. Its ability to create mismatches, flood the defense, and exploit open spaces has made it a go-to formation for many teams. By utilizing plays like Smash, Box, Skinny Post Attack, and Scissors, teams can maximize the potential of the Trips formation and achieve success on the field.

Remember, the key to success lies in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the defense and adjusting your game plan accordingly. With proper execution and creativity, the Trips formation can become a powerful weapon in your arsenal. So, get on the field, master the Trips formation, and dominate your opponents with strategic precision.

Hello, I'm Elvis Cook, the author of PlayfulFootball.com. As a former football player, I bring a unique perspective and firsthand experience to the content I create. Having played football myself, I have a deep passion and understanding of the game. My personal experiences on the field have shaped my love for football and ignited a desire to share my knowledge and insights with fellow enthusiasts.

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Kalen DeBoer showing why he was 'the guy' for Alabama

Jalen Milroe finds Germie Bernard near the sideline for a big Alabama White play. (0:28)

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Kalen DeBoer called the entire day "special," and as Alabama wrapped up its first spring practice with DeBoer as coach in its annual A-Day Game, his players said they can't wait to see what's next.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe and offensive guard Tyler Booker both said the positivity, confidence and energy that DeBoer and the new coaching staff have exhibited since their arrival has been exactly what the program needed with Nick Saban calling it quits after his legendary coaching career.

Booker has yet to see his new coach flinch from the time he first met with the team.

"That's why he was the right guy for the job," Booker said. "I feel like whoever took this job had to have heart because they knew who they were succeeding after Coach Saban. So just to be able to have the wherewithal to take this job and have the pride to do so ... he had my respect. Anybody who took this job would have my respect.

"He just continues to earn it and continues to prove why he was the guy for this job."

A crowd of 72,358 turned out Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium for DeBoer's debut in an offense-versus-defense scrimmage that saw the offense build a 31-0 lead and then hold on for a 34-28 victory in a specially designed scoring system. Saban, who watched the game from a suite with his family, attended the A-Day Walk of Fame ceremony before the game and joked, "I'm one of you. I'm one of the fans now."

DeBoer had Saban speak to the team for the first time this spring, and while DeBoer has been keenly focused on his team, he acknowledged that it "really hit him" Saturday seeing the passion of the fans and soaking in everything that is Alabama football.

"I think today was probably the day where you just really felt it, seeing the guys come on the Walk of Champions, just seeing that and feeling the energy, the excitement of what it would be on a Saturday," DeBoer said. "That was a lot of fun, and being in the locker room, just the excitement.

"And I thought the guys, as hard as they were playing, they were out there looking out for each other, too. I don't care if it was offense or defense, but most importantly offense and defense playing the game the way it's supposed to be played and the energy wanting to go out there and make the plays, but also not putting the team at risk."

As DeBoer left the field, he stopped to sign autographs for fans reaching out from the stands and even took a selfie with a fan who handed the coach his phone.

"It's been special to have him here because of who he is as a person," Milroe said. "You want to play for a coach like this, how personal he is with us. He has power and reinforcement behind the criticism as far as getting us better and putting us in position to be successful. I'm super excited to play under Coach DeBoer because I've learned so much playing quarterback here with him because he's offensive-minded. So that's special for me to have a coach that's offensive-minded, and it's going to push me to be great and push me to be successful."

Milroe, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting last season, connected twice on big gains early in the scrimmage with transfer receiver Germie Bernard , who followed DeBoer from Washington. Bernard was dynamic after the catch, and Alabama is looking for playmakers at the receiver position after losing its top two receivers from a year ago, Isaiah Bond and Jermaine Burton .

"I think he had a great day," DeBoer said of Bernard. "I mean, you saw it right away. The one that stuck out to me was the catch in contact. He high-pointed the ball. ... That's what he does. He's a physical guy. If the ball's in the air, it's his. That's his mindset."

Milroe's mindset is that he's "starving" to take it to another level this season after accounting for 35 touchdowns last season and bouncing back from being benched in Week 3 against South Florida. He said the staff's confidence in him has made him even hungrier.

"There are some things I can get better at from last year, so each and every day I'm trying to get my best me every single time I come into the facility, and I'm challenged to do that each and every day," Milroe said. "I have goals that I've set for myself, short-term goals and long-term goals that I need to do to be the best quarterback in the country this season. So I'm passionate. I'm starving to be great, and it's going to come with preparation through this offseason."

Even though the offensive production waned during the second part of Saturday's scrimmage, DeBoer said one of the things he liked best about the spring was that the quarterbacks didn't throw any interceptions during scrimmages. He also liked what he saw from his three running backs -- Jam Miller , Justice Haynes and Richard Young . All three had impressive moments Saturday and were especially good after contact.

"I thought they did a better job of when they saw a hole today, they hit it and especially early on there were some seams, and they were not dancing, which means they're getting more and more comfortable with the schemes, trusting the offensive line," DeBoer said.

Miller, a junior, had a 48-yard gain and rushed for two touchdowns. Alabama's defense was playing without injured starters linebacker Jihaad Campbell and defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis , but DeBoer said they both would have been able to play if spring practice had lasted another week or two.

"This team is passionate to play for our family, passionate to play for the state of Alabama, passionate to play for Coach DeBoer and our coaching staff," Milroe said. "There are a lot of things we're playing for and excited for what Coach DeBoer has in store for us."

FAMU players raising money to interconnect faith and football on mission trip to Argentina

Florida a&m football players nay’ron jenkins and lamar clark are raising money for a may mission work trip work in buenos aires, argentina. the duo works under the fellowship of christian athletes..

When he isn’t looking to attack the ball carrier on the football field,  Florida A&M  linebacker  Nay’Ron Jenkins  serves a bigger purpose.

The junior is  raising money  to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for mission work under the  Fellowship of Christian Athletes .

Founded in 1954, the FCA is an interdenominational Christian sports ministry that sees the world impacted by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes, its website says. The FCA headquarters is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and has offices across the United States and abroad.

With a goal of raising $2,500, Jenkins began the campaign in early April and hopes to reach the threshold by the end of the month. The money will be used for flights, food, and lodging.

Jenkins and FCA’s Argentina trip is scheduled for May 4-11. Jenkins’ teammate, junior FAMU defensive back  Lamar Clark , also plans to attend and is  actively raising money .

“I’ve been working with FCA since high school, and I met a guy named Ryan Sprague (FCA College Director and former Florida State football player), who has allowed me to teach them football and get them closer to Christ,” Jenkins told the  Tallahassee Democrat .

“Lamar and I are trying to go over there and raise the money so we can be as beneficial as possible to help them.”

A well-versed student-athlete, Jenkins, a Broadcast Journalism scholar from Alachua, is a  Southwestern Athletic Conference Honor Roll Student  and represented the league in last weekend’s  NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum .

He’s excited to share his faith and introduce American Football to Argentinian children while he spends a week in Buenos Aires.

“We’re doing mostly camps for the kids,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to set up football drills because the FCA leader over there said that the sport they haven’t learned much about is American Football. We want to be able to teach them that and help them gain a relationship with Christ.”

On the football field, Jenkins enjoyed the success of his  FAMU football team winning the SWAC and Black College Football National Championships  during the 2023 season.

Jenkins said part of that triumph has been because of the giving nature of Rattler Nation and all who love FAMU.

Jenkins hopes the FAMU faithful financially supports him and Clark as they travel to Argentina for a bigger purpose in two weeks.

“Rattler Nation, I love you guys and know you will go above and beyond. I want to thank you in advance for all the support that’s already been given,” Jenkins said.

“I will do my best to represent us well when I go to Argentina and ensure the Rattler joy is not only through the US but also around the world.”

Support FAMU football player Nay'Ron Jenkins on his mission trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Support FAMU football player Lamar Clark on his mission trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at  [email protected]  or on the app formerly known as Twitter  @3peatgee .

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Ex-Alabama player, college football coach Steve Sloan dies

Steve Sloan, who emerged as Joe Namath's backup at Alabama before going on to become a coach in college football, has died.

• Author: James Parks

Former two-time national champion Alabama quarterback and long-time college football head coach Steve Sloan has died at the age of 79.

Sloan started his football career playing quarterback at Alabama, where he served as the backup to Joe Namath, although he did earn some playing time of his own during the 1964 season when Namath dealt with a knee injury.

Led by head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama won the SEC championship that year and was named the consensus national champion after going 10-1, including wins over top-10 ranked teams Florida, LSU, and Georgia Tech before losing to Texas in the Orange Bowl.

Sloan returned to the Crimson Tide as the starting quarterback in the 1965 season, and despite losing to Georgia by one point in the opener and tying with Tennessee, Alabama beat Nebraska in the Orange Bowl and won a second straight national championship.

Following a brief tenure in the NFL, Sloan began his coaching career, initially as an assistant at Alabama in 1968, and in 1971 earned his first regular gig at Florida State, spending one season there before moving on to Georgia Tech.

Sloan became head coach at Vanderbilt in 1973 and went 12-9-2 overall, departing for Texas Tech in 1975 and the following season, 1976, led the Red Raiders to a Southwest Conference title.

He spent five years at Ole Miss, going 20-34-1, closing out his coaching career at Duke from 1983-86. Sloan served as athletic director at Alabama, UCF, and Chattanooga from 1987-2006.

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Kansas football coach Lance Leipold thinks Jalon Daniels’ spring play lessens speculation

LAWRENCE — As Kansas football coach Lance Leipold looked ahead to the spring showcase earlier this month, understandably he wanted the team to look sharp.

Leipold, who felt his Jayhawks had turned the ball over a bit more than desired this spring, didn’t want to see sloppy penalties. He wanted them to tackle well and execute on both sides of the ball. Although there would still be a couple more practices this spring after the event, practices he’d want them to maximize, it’d be an evening that’d allow them to evaluate their players’ performances in front of an eager crowd.

Fast forward to Friday, and after the event at Rock Chalk Park, and Leipold appeared pleased with how the night unfolded. There were highlight plays, and opportunities for younger athletes to put their skillsets on display. With months still between now and the 2024 season opener, the expectations around the program aren’t going anywhere.

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Here are some takeaways from Kansas’s spring showcase event in Lawrence:

Lance Leipold describes the setting as neat

The past couple of years, Kansas held its spring showcase event at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. However, the Jayhawks’ home stadium is currently undergoing a renovation. So, Leipold and company held the team’s event at Rock Chalk Park this year.

Leipold described the setting as neat, intimate and different. While they were inside a soccer stadium, that didn’t mean they couldn’t get a lot accomplished. Senior wide receiver Quentin Skinner noted it was exciting to be back in front of their fans again.

Kansas football could return to Rock Chalk Park in the future

Leipold said he hadn’t given much thought to Kansas playing its spring showcase event at Rock Chalk Park again, but added he wouldn’t mind if that idea was brought up. He wants to be respectful to the fact this is where the Jayhawks’ women’s soccer team plays its games, and appreciates how cooperative that program has been this spring. He highlighted that it would be more of an administrative decision than his.

Jalon Daniels’ play doesn’t go unnoticed

The highlight of the evening was a deep pass redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels connected with Skinner on. Skinner said it was amazing to see Daniels, who’s been working his way back from injury, back in action again. Even when Daniels hasn’t been able to take snaps, Skinner added, Daniels has been around the coaches and younger quarterbacks finding ways to be involved.

“He’s been throwing all spring and for him to get out in front of people, I’m sure, I think makes a lot of people a little less, I don’t know, speculation of things,” Leipold said. “He’s throwing, throwing it deep, throwing it all over. He’s got a great attitude and it’s great to see him and Quentin hook up again.”

Kansas’ confidence remains high

This is the first time in more than a decade that Kansas has gone through a spring after a bowl game victory, and the first time the Jayhawks have done so during the Leipold tenure. Leipold mentioned the program’s benefited from being able to have December practices across the past two seasons, as the team also reached a bowl game in 2022. And he thinks his team understands that there’s still a lot to work on, especially considering the target on them — from an opponent’s perspective — will be bigger this year.

Skinner said there are a lot of players who’ll be in their last season at the college level this year, so that adds to the motivation Kansas has. However cheesy that may sound, he acknowledged, that’s how he feels. It’s not just that the Jayhawks are more confident, he explained, they’re hungrier.

Here’s what Lance Leipold thinks Kansas accomplished this spring

Kansas has a few new assistant coaches this spring, including offensive line coach Daryl Agpalsa and assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. There’s an acclimation process that comes with that. In addition to making progress there, Leipold noted he thinks they’re finding answers up front after the departures that occurred from last season’s team.

Leipold added he thinks they’ve found depth among their running backs, especially considering the emergence of freshman Harry Stewart III, even though redshirt junior Sevion Morrison hasn’t been as healthy as they would have hoped. Leipold mentioned the depth at wide receiver continues to be strong, and that the linebackers are playing more downhill than ever. He also liked that the development of the Jayhawks’ younger cornerbacks will provide them with some versatility.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

Former Alabama All-American QB and Vanderbilt football coach Steve Sloan dies at 79

Steve Sloan, who posted a winning career record as a Vanderbilt football coach, died Sunday. He was 79 and had been in memory care in Orlando, Florida, the past three months . according to an obituary written by former Alabama sports information director Wayne Atcheson,

Sloan, a native of Austin, Texas, who grew up in Cleveland, Tennessee, coached the Commodores two seasons from 1973-74 and posted a career record of 12-9-2. Vanderbilt was 5-6 in 1973 and 7-3-2 in 1974. The only other Vanderbilt coach to post a winning career record since 1952 is James Franklin, who was 24-15 from 2011-2013.

Under Sloan the Commodores earned a berth in the 1974 Peach Bowl, in which they tied Texas Tech 6-6. It was Vanderbilt's first bowl game since 1955 and only its second in history. Sloan was named the SEC coach of the year in 1974.

Sloan left Vanderbilt after the 1974 season to become the coach at Texas Tech. Fred Pancoast replaced Sloan as Vanderbilt's coach in 1975.

Sloan returned to Vanderbilt as offensive coordinator in 1990 on coach Watson Brown's staff.

Sloan was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Sloan was an all-state quarterback on the Bradley Central football team, guard on the basketball team and among the top high school golfers in Tennessee in 1961. He signed to play football for Bear Bryant at Alabama.

Sloan backed up Joe Namath at quarterback early in his career at Alabama. He replaced Namath in 1965 and led the Crimson Tide to the national championship, defeating Nebraska 39-28 in the Orange Bowl. Sloan was the game's most valuable player. He also was a consensus All-American, the SEC most valuable player and won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation’s best passer.

WHAT HAPPENED AT VANDY SCRIMMAGE: Here's what we're allowed to share with you about Vanderbilt football spring scrimmage

After spending two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Sloan began his coaching career as an assistant at Alabama before being named the offensive coordinator at Florida State in 1971, then at Georgia Tech in 1972.

His first head coaching position was at Vanderbilt when he was only 27 and the nation's youngest head coach.

When Sloan left Vanderbilt for Texas Tech, he took with him Bill Parcells, who had served as the Commodores' defensive coordinator both years Sloan was the coach. Other members of Sloan's first staff at Texas Tech included Romeo Crennel and Mike Pope, who like Parcells would go on to coach in the NFL.

Sloan spent three seasons as the coach at Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders to winning records each year and a combined record of 23-12. Texas Tech went to bowl games in each of Sloan's last two seasons.

Sloan then spent five seasons as the coach at Ole Miss and four as the coach at Duke. His career coaching record was 68-86-3.

When Sloan's former Alabama teammate Ray Perkins moved from Alabama to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sloan returned to Alabama as athletic director from 1987-89.

Sloan returned to coaching in 1990 at Vanderbilt, then spent several stints as an athletic director at North Texas State (1991-93), Central Florida (1993-2002) and Chattanooga (2002-2006).

In 2019 Sloan was selected for the Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award, which recognizes former lettermen whose accomplishments since leaving the University of Alabama are outstanding.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy recalls youth wrestling trips with John Smith

S TILLWATER — Growing up as a competitive youth wrestler in Midwest City, Mike Gundy occasionally would travel the country to camps and tournaments with John Smith , who was a couple years older and lived in nearby Del City.

“I would’ve been 10 or 12 years old, and John about 14, somewhere in that area,” Gundy recalled on Tuesday afternoon before his Oklahoma State football team began its 10th practice of the spring inside the Sherman Smith Training Center. “Everywhere we went, they knew who John was. He had a reputation that preceded him when we showed up at tournaments.

“John was always a fierce competitor and about as loyal a Cowboy as you could get.”

More: Life 'coming full circle' as Oklahoma State football recruits former star Tatum Bell's son

Smith retired last week as Oklahoma State’s wrestling coach, stepping away after a 33-year career that included five national championships and 490 dual victories with the Cowboys. He is also regarded as one of America’s greatest wrestlers, having won six consecutive world titles, which included two Olympic gold medals.

Decades after their days sharing a ride to Kansas or Colorado for a wrestling tournament, Smith and Gundy now share farm equipment on their respective ranches . 

Still, Gundy’s respect for Smith is through the roof.

“I don’t know when they started on his statue, but it should’ve been awhile back,” Gundy said. “There’s nobody on this campus that deserves a statue more than him. The only debate is, do you make it of him as a wrestler or as a coach? I say you make it a collage and do both.

“We’ve had a lot of people do amazing things here, but he was the best in the world at what he did, period.”

Veterans pushing physicality in practice

Gundy described the first nine practices of spring as “physical and competitive,” pointing to the leadership of his older players for helping make it that way.

“Last Saturday, I stopped practice the last 20 minutes,” Gundy said. “They had worked so hard, I just called it off. They (the veterans) are the ones that are taking the reins on this.

“A couple weeks ago, I spoke very directly to those guys and said you have to be willing to train and practice harder than you did last year, even though you’re Ollie Gordon or Joe Michalski or Brennan Presley or Collin Oliver or Korie Black or Cole Birmingham. You have to put forth that effort and they have done that up to this point.”

The physicality, in particular, has been key for a group with so many returning starters — roughly 18. It shows an edge when some players might otherwise be sliding toward contentment. 

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Benefit of no Oklahoma State football spring game?

Because of the ongoing construction inside Boone Pickens Stadium, the Cowboys won’t have a spring game again this year.

Asked if there were any benefits, Gundy said the only one would be an actual practice, as opposed to putting on a show with a scrimmage-type workout in front of fans, likening the spring game to flag football.

“It’s like the (NFL Pro Bowl) or an NBA All-Star game, almost,” he said. “Unless you’re gonna play a real game and say, 'Hey, we’re gonna go tackle and not worry about injuries,' it’s not really a football game. 

“We could do that. I can’t get over that hump. I can’t make myself do it.”

In a closed-door practice, the team can get more effective work done without endangering players in game-like situations. And the recruiting benefits of a spring game have diminished as well, Gundy says.

“We’ve had two big recruiting weekends, then this’ll be another one, and we have another one after that,” Gundy said. “They come to practice on Saturday and they actually enjoy it more, because they feel the same way I do. They come watch practice and they see our coaches working, and our players. If they go to a spring game, they see a flag football game. 

“So it actually works better for us, the way we’ve set it up. It gives us time so they can come to my house, they can use the pool, all that stuff. And it works better now than it did with a spring game.” 

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy recalls youth wrestling trips with John Smith