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Alcorn State football coach Melvin Spears has been fired after just one season on the job.
Spears led the Braves to a 2-8 record last fall, including an embarrassing 51-7 loss to rival Jackson State in the season finale. Spears was placed on administrative leave shortly after the season ended, but an official announcement wasn’t made until Friday.
Defensive line coach Todd McDaniel will serve as the interim coach, according to university spokeswoman LaToya Shields.
Alcorn State also announced that Patric Simon has been hired as the new athletic director. Simon previously held the same position at Langston (Okla.) University.
The Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger reported that Spears had two years remaining on his contract which pays $130,000 annually.
Florida extends Muschamp’s contract: Florida has extended coach Will Muschamp’s contract through 2016.
Athletic director Jeremy Foley picked up the one-year option in Muschamp’s contract in January even though the Gators finished 7-6 in his first season.
The Sporting News first reported Muschamp’s extension Friday.
Muschamp originally signed a five-year deal worth $13.75 million. The one-year extension doesn’t include a salary increase.
Muschamp’s first season was mostly forgettable. But his first full recruiting class was widely considered one of the best in the country, and considering Florida played 15 true freshmen last fall, many believe Muschamp is on the verge of getting the program back to national prominence.
The Gators begin spring practice March 14, with the focus on settling a quarterback competition between Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett.
Oregon releases draft of NCAA review: Oregon has agreed in documents that it violated NCAA regulations relating to recruiting and the use of recruiting services.
A statement of “proposed findings of violations” submitted by the NCAA to the Oregon athletic department was obtained Friday in a public records request by several media outlets.
The report concludes that Oregon didn’t adequately monitor its football program in relation to recruiting rules.
