Scotty McCreery stopped by Fox and Friends on June 2 to chat with the hosts and perform his new single, “Five More Minutes,” which is currently No. 57 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after one week.
Scotty co-penned the deeply personal tune with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell two weeks after the death of his grandfather in 2015.
“I wrote this song in early 2015, and the day that I wrote it, I tweeted that I thought I just wrote my favorite song I’ve ever written, and that still holds true today,” says Scotty to Nash Country Daily. “It was just a couple weeks after I lost my Granddaddy Bill, so I was just talking to [Frank and Monty] about that and where I was in my head space. Anytime you lose somebody, everybody thinks about things you wish you could’ve said to them before they passed or something you wish you could do again. For me, it would’ve been golfing with him. Just chatting about that and Monty had the idea for ‘Five More Minutes,’ and we rolled with it.”
The NHL’s Nashville Predators were back in action against the Pittsburgh Penguins for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night (June 3).
Like the Preds eight previous home playoff games, the performance of the national anthem was a star-studded affair—this time Martina McBride had the honor.
Tonight, Martina McBride got the call to perform the anthem before the Preds’ first home game of the Stanley Cup Final. Watch Martina sing the anthem in front of the sellout crowd.
If you are not an NHL hockey fan, you might not realize that the Nashville Predators have just made their very first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.
SANDESTIN, FLA. — If Tennessee athletic director John Currie is on the verge of hiring a new baseball coach, he isn’t giving any hints.
“Like with any search, we won’t comment on the search until we introduce our new coach,’’ Currie said.
Is there a timetable?
“As with any search that we do, we will move as expeditiously as we can while still being very thorough,’’ Currie said. “We always have to remember our student athletics during a search transition are in a period of uncertainty. It’s in everybody’s best interest to reduce that uncertainty as much as possible.’’
Currie would not acknowledge if he has interviewed any candidates.
Among the names that have been speculated:
Michigan head coach Erik Bakich, a former seven-year assistant at Vanderbilt
Maryland head coach John Szefc, a former Kansas State assistant when Currie was at K-State.
Ray Tanner, athletic director at South Carolina and former World Series champion as baseball coach of the Gamecocks, is very high on Bakich and Szefc.
Tanner also likes Mitch Gaspard, who took Alabama to four NCAA Regionals in seven years as Alabama’s coach. Gaspard is now an assistant at Kansas State.
Several former Vols with no head-coaching experience have been mentioned: Chris Burke, Alan Cockrell, Rick Honeycutt.
Some with knowledge of baseball favor Ash Lawson, a former UT assistant under Todd Raleigh who is now an advance scout for the New York Mets.
Currie has not hired a search firm. Nor does he have a search committee. He does have an “informal internal group working on the process,’’ according to a UT spokesman.
Currie said there are times when he’s used a search firm.
“It just really depends on the circumstances,’’ Currie said. “Sometimes it depends on the timing. If a search was unexpected, perhaps maybe you might feel like you need to have some outside assistance in some way.
“But at the same time, we should have some relative level of preparation for any search. … Any experienced A.D. should bring to the table the ability to have a pretty good trusted network of contacts to ensure we make the best possible decisions.’’
Currie said he doesn’t just look at a candidate’s won-loss record. It goes beyond that.
“How does this person we bring to our athletics family treat the other people in the department?’’ Currie said. “Does this person have a commitment to academic success? Does this person have a commitment to treating his or her student athletes with respect?
“You can always look and see what somebody’s record is. That’s pretty obvious. But you’ve got to be able to dig down to make sure that when you bring someone into your department, you’re bringing someone whose character matches our expectations.’’
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Zach Stipe is rejoining Tennessee’s Athletic Media Relations staff as Director of Football Communications. He will work closely with head coach Butch Jones to implement and execute communications strategies aimed at promoting and publicizing Volunteers football.
A native of Canton, Ohio, Stipe spent three years on the UT media relations staff from 2008-11 while earning his master’s degree in Sport Management. During that time, he worked closely with several sports, including the Lady Vols basketball program.
“We are excited to welcome Zach and his family back into the Tennessee family,” Jones said. “He brings vast knowledge and experience, which everyone in our organization will greatly benefit from.”
Stipe comes to Tennessee from Florida State University, where he worked since 2010. He oversaw the promotion of FSU football since 2013 and held the title of Director of Football Communications since 2015.
“I’m excited to be returning to the University of Tennessee to work with Coach Jones and the football program, as well as the terrific media relations staff,” Stipe said. “At Tennessee, there is a tradition of excellence across the entire athletic department, and I’m honored to be a part of that. I’m thrilled I will be able to help bring the stories of Tennessee’s outstanding student-athletes and coaches to the nation’s best fans.
“I can’t wait to get started, and I’m looking forward to being inside Neyland Stadium this fall. I want to thank Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics John Currie and Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Tom Satkowiak for this opportunity.”
During the 2015 and 2016 college football seasons, Stipe was responsible for all publicity and media relations strategies for Florida State football and head coach Jimbo Fisher. Stipe worked on the national award and All-America campaigns for more than a dozen FSU student-athletes, including 2013 Heisman Trophy-winner Jameis Winston, 2015 first-round NFL draft pick Jalen Ramsey and 2016 unanimous All-American Dalvin Cook, among others.
Stipe was hired by Florida State in 2011 as an assistant sports information director. He initially worked primarily with women’s basketball and the school’s first-ever beach volleyball team while also serving as a secondary contact with the football team. Stipe was promoted to associate sports information director and primary football contact in 2013, coinciding with the Seminoles’ undefeated national championship run. Stipe was again promoted in February 2015 to the role of Director of Football Communications, assuming advisory duties for Fisher.
“Zach is an outstanding addition to our staff, and Tennessee football is going to benefit from his expertise,” Satkowiak said. “He is incredibly well-respected throughout the college football landscape, where his work ethic, professionalism, integrity and ability to foster relationships have earned him a rock-solid reputation.
“Communications specialists who have experience publicizing a national championship football team, a Heisman Trophy winner and the legendary Pat Summitt don’t exactly grow on trees.”
In April of 2015, Stipe organized the media efforts for Winston’s Pro Day – which at the time was the largest ever of its kind and included more than 12 combined hours of live coverage between the NFL Network and ESPN, including a live one-hour broadcast of SportsCenter.
Stipe has accompanied student-athletes to several high-profile events, including the NFL Draft, the ESPY’s, the Home Depot College Football Awards and the Walter Camp All-America Foundation banquet. He also has assisted with the production of game telecasts for ESPN, ABC and regional sports networks, as well as ESPN’s popular College Gameday show.
In 2016, Stipe was an advisor on Showtime’s season-long documentary spotlighting the FSU football program.
Stipe earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ohio Northern in 2008. At ONU, he was the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Northern Review, interned with the ONU sports information department and was a two-year member of the varsity cross country and track & field teams.
He and his wife, Katie, recently welcomed a son, Owen.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Zach’s knowledge of college football spliced with his feel for what reporters need to do their job make him a natural in the sports information business. It was obvious in working with Zach on a recent project at Florida State that he has the trust of the players and coaches he’s aligned with, and he’s always looking for ways to get their stories out there in a compelling and first-class manner. His even-keeled approach is refreshing, and he’s a pro no matter the situation.” — Chris Low, ESPN.com senior writer
“Zach is one of my favorite people to work with. He always does everything he can to help me do my job. I’ll miss eating Cuban food with him in Tallahassee, but I can’t wait to show him all my favorite places in Knoxville.” — Andy Staples, Sports Illustrated
“I’ve known Zach since my freshman year at Florida State, and he always did a great job preparing me and making me feel comfortable in front of the media. I can’t thank Zach enough for his hard work promoting myself, my teammates and Florida State football during his time at FSU. He’s one of the best in the business, and I have already used some of the lessons I’ve learned from Zach with the Broncos.” — DeMarcus Walker, Denver Broncos defensive end and 2016 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
SANDESTIN, FLA. – The SEC has voted to reduce the penalty from three years to one for a graduate transfer not meeting certain academic benchmarks, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Friday afternoon at the SEC Spring Meetings.
That clears the way for Notre Dame quarterback transfer Malik Zaire to attend Florida.
Florida was under the three-year penalty for two grad transfers who didn’t meet academic requirements two years ago.
Sankey said the initial penalty was five years, then was reduced to three years. Now it is one year.
“If a University accepts a grad transfer, we want that University as a partner’’ to make sure the grad transfer meets academic requirements, rather than just show up and play a sport.
Sankey said other schools have been subjected to the grad-transfer penalty, but he wouldn’t say how many nor would he say if any other school has an active penalty other than Florida.
“It’s been very few and that’s a good news story,’’ Sankey said.
Alabama basketball coach Avery Johnson said a school should be penalized if the grad transfer does not get a Masters from his new school.
“`I have a position: I think we should be passionate about that,’’ Sankey said, stopping short of saying a penalty should ensue if one doesn’t get a Masters.
“If you want to participate in intercollegiate athletics, you’re still to be a student.’’
Sankey said he would like to see grad transfers get a Masters just like he would prefer to see an undergraduate get an undergraduate degree.
The SEC tabled a proposal regarding grad transfers matriculating from one SEC school to another.
Sankey said SEC football coaches and athletic directors had a “positive view of the concept’’ of allowing a football player to play in four games, yet still have four years of eligibility. That was proposed by the American Football Coaches Association.
“We all have to learn more,’’ Sankey said.
Sankey said he had “no sense’’ when such legislation might be adopted.
The current rule says a student-athlete may take a medical redshirt if the player doesn’t play more than 20 percent of his sport’s games and is injured during the first half of a season.
Regarding alcohol sales at non-premium areas during SEC sporting events on campus, Sankey said that is “still a conversation topic.’’
A number of non-SEC colleges allow beer sales in public areas of on-campus football games. Some allow it at selected Olympic sports.
The SEC wants to study the impact at places like West Virginia, which sells beer at football games and reported fewer incidents before and during games because it apparently averted binge drinking.
The SEC also eliminated a signing limit of 25 in football, instead saying it would abide by NCAA legislation which also limits the cap in football to a “hard’’ 25.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he doesn’t like the league’s “one-and-done rule’’ and that it’s not good for either the NBA or college.
*Athletic directors voted to add more plays for replay review in baseball.
*The SEC gave the commissioner the authority to re-schedule a football game postponed due to weather. Sankey also reiterated that for a team to be eligible for the SEC championship game, it must play eight conference games.
*In deference to a recent Arkansas law, Sankey opposes guns allowed at sporting events due to the “level of emotion, intensity and closeness’’ in a stadium or arena. “I’m not a fan of having a lot of weapons close to athletic venues.’’
KNOXVILLE — The Southeastern Conference announced today each school’s conference opponents for the upcoming 2018 season.
Along with matchups against its permanent opponents — Kentucky, South Carolina and Vanderbilt — Tennessee will also face Georgia and Ole Miss in home-and-home series.
The Vols’ home slate features games against former SEC East foes Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. UT will also play host to Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M in 2018.
Tennessee hits the road for contests at Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Tennessee went 16-16 (8-10 SEC) last season, its second under head coach Rick Barnes. The Vols played one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, ultimately playing five games against all four Final Four programs, including a narrow 73-71 road loss to eventual national champion North Carolina. UT picked up notable home victories against Georgia Tech, fourth-ranked Kentucky and Kansas State as well as road wins over Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.
In 2017-18, the Vols return five members from the highest-scoring freshman class in program history (1,140 points), accounting for nearly half of the team’s statistical production. Rising sophomore forward Grant Williams headed that charge, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors.
Five newcomers will join the ranks this summer, including true freshmen forwards Zach Kent, Derrick Walker and Yves Pons. Junior college transfer Chris Darrington and graduate transfer James Daniel — the NCAA’s leading scorer in 2015-16 — will look to bolster the Vols’ backcourt.
Times, dates and television information on the 2018 SEC schedule will be released at a later date.
Tennessee AD John Currie visited with our Jimmy Hyams, 1-on-1, at SEC Spring Meetings in Destin.
Hear what Currie said about the UT baseball coaching search, the Lady Vols logo/name issue, beer sales at college games, the grad transfer rules and much more.
Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Holly Warlick visited with our Jimmy Hyams, 1-on-1, at SEC Spring Meetings in Destin.
Hear what Warlick said about this year’s team, if this is her most talented team, the recruiting class, how ready freshmen are to play today, her philosophies, what the goal of the program is each year, the greeting the coaches gave in Destin to the two Final Four coaches and much more.
Listen below.
Lady Vols coach Holly Warlick / Credit: UT Athletics
By Jimmy Hyams
