The Bounce: Ex-Rice aide joins UA football staff
by Multiple Authors on Feb. 08, 2007, under Sports
<strong>The ring's the thing </strong>
Sidewinders owner Jay Zucker shows off his new Pacific Coast Championship ring. The team visited Sahuaro High School during part of its two-day caravan.
> Go to www.tucsoncitizen.com for more sports photo galleries.
The University of Arizona football staff is at full strength again with the addition of running backs coach Michael Smith.
The Wildcats hired the Rice assistant yesterday to replace Kasey Dunn, who left for Baylor in December.
Smith was part of a 7-6 Rice team last year. Rice played in its first bowl game in 45 years. Previously Smith spent nine years at Kansas State where he coached four backs who ended up in the NFL.
He tutored Darren Sproles, Kansas State’s all-time leading rusher and a Heisman Trophy candidate.
In the last game UA coach Mike Stoops coached as an assistant at Oklahoma, “Darren Sproles tore us up,” he said.
“He brings a great personality and is a very dynamic coach,” Stoops said of Smith.
Rice averaged 131 yards rushing per game last year with tailback Quinton Smith gaining 1,096 yards.
Arizona filled its recruiting position as well, hiring Andrew Widinger, who was a graduate assistant a year ago in charge of video operations.
“I am very excited about our coaches,” Stoops said. “The changes we made hurt the recruiting process, but the changes we made we had to. I feel very good about what we were able to do. (Offensive coordinator) Sonny Dykes will do great things for our offense.”
Stoops announced that Darrell Wyatt will not only coach receivers but also will be the passing game coordinator. New offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh will also be the run game coordinator. Dana Dimel, the lone offensive coach kept from last year’s staff, will coach tight ends.
“I think we are set. I hope all of our coaches are here to stay,” Stoops said. “We will see. Those are things out of my control. I took my time through the process.”
It’s Tui-time, times five for the Wildcats in 2007
Arizona will now have four players and one coach whose last names starts T-U-I.
The most highly visible one is quarterback Willie Tuitama, who is recovering from concussions last season that severely curtailed his playing time.
“Willie is great. He worked out this morning,” Stoops said Wednesday. “He has done everything. No one will get within 10 feet of him when we start spring ball.
“We don’t want any contact on him in his head. We want to give him as much time as he needs to get better.”
The other “Tuis” are linebacker Apaiata Tuihalamaka, linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka and defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu.
The person responsible for staying on them during the recruiting process? Defensive line assistant coach Mike Tuiasosopo.
The International dropped from the PGA Tour
The International, known for its unique scoring system on a Castle Pines (Colo.) golf course held in the mile-high air outside Denver, will no longer be on the PGA Tour schedule effective immediately, a tour official said Wednesday.
The absence of a corporate sponsor was mostly responsible for canceling the 21-year-old tournament.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and tournament founder Jack Vickers were expected to make it official today.
The cancellation leaves a hole in the PGA Tour schedule on July 5-8.
But tour officials have been working on a contingency plan over the last month and are expected to announce a replacement by April.
Price eager for first start on Champions Tour
Nick Price was once No. 1 in the world, but he says the PGA Tour has become a purgatory for aging golfers
“The last real chance I had to win was in 2005,” said Price, who makes his debut on the Champions Tour this weekend at the Allianz Championship in Boca Raton, Fla.
“Since then everything has been downhill.
Price, who turned 50 on Jan. 28, is the first of an outstanding rookie class that includes Mark O’Meara, Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer.
O’Meara just turned 50 on Jan. 13.
———
NUMBER OF THE DAY
12
Pro Bowl appearances by WIll Shields, including Saturday’s game, which ties Randall McDaniel for the most ever: Other leaders:
Junior Seau 11
Reggie White 11
Rod Woodson 11
Source: USA TODAY
———
TRIVIA CORNER
“Out of the Ballpark” is Alex Rodriguez’s second book written for children. Name the first.
———
Answer: “Hit a Grand Slam” was released in 1998.
By John Moredich, USA Today, The Associated Press
