The New Year’s Day ‘Winter Classic’ NHL contest pitting the Penguins against the Sabres helped the league generate it’s highest national television ratings since 1996.
The game, playing in wintry Buffalo, New York, drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share on NBC. Those were the best numbers since a six-game regional telecast on Fox drew a 3.0 overnight rating and a 7 share on Feb. 3, 1996.
Bill Parcells made his first bold move as executive vice-president of football operations by hiring Dallas executive Jeff Ireland to be the Dolphins new general manager.
Ireland replace Randy Mueller, who did a rather woeful job in guiding the franchise for three years.
The 33-member Edmonton (Oilers) Investors Group wants more details on the bid by pharmacy magnate Darryl Katz, including information on whether or not he’ll keep the team in province’s capital.
The investors also want Katz to comment on media reports that have suggested he would be willing to put up $100 million for a new arena.
Report: Ryan to be fired by Oakland, take job with Jets (Oakland Tribune) Rob Ryan, Oakland’s defensive coordinator, has reportedly been canned but will quickly land on his feet with the New York Jets in the same capacity. Within the notebook, Oakland may hire head coach Lane Kiffin’s dad, legendary defensive whiz Monte, as Ryan’s replacement.
Chiefs fire offensive coordinator Solari, three others (KC Star) Kansas City’s Herm Edwards cleans house on the offensive side of the ball, canning offensive coordinator Mike Solari, o-line coach John Matsko, wide receivers coach Charlie Joiner and running backs coach James Saxon.
Outdoor classic succeeds with snow, Sid the Kid (SI.com) Long-time NHL scriber Jim Kelley writes that the “Winter Classic” was a great success, from the snowfall and the shootout experience by Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Amp Energy Drink commercial(YouTube) An advertising masterstroke by someone associated with the NHL: Buffalo’s Ryan Miller displays some mad skills in a wicked game of “Yo Mama!”
According to ESPN.com’s Joe Schad, sources are indicating that SMU will pursue Hawaii head coach June Jones with a rather large contract offer that will pay the bench boss between $1.5 and 1.7 million annually.
Jones led the Warriors to a 12-1 record, only to get dismantled in the Sugar Bowl by Georgia, 41-10.
Former Miami coach Larry Coker and former Texas AM coach Dennis Franchione have already spoken with SMU.
A source tells ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen that the Detroit Lions have fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz after the team sputtered during the NFL season’s second half.
According to Mortensen, the club promoted offensive line coach Jim Colleto and wide receivers coach Kippy Brown to run the offense in his place.
Rumors suggest that Martz may not be out of work long as the San Francisco 49ers, looking to shake up their offense, may hire the former architect of “The Greatest Show on Turf” to replace first-year offensive coordinator Jim Hostler.
News and notes while trying to get back into the swing of things…
S. Korean boxer declared brain dead (AP/Y! Sports) Choi Yoi-sam, a South Korean boxer who lost consciousness after winning an WBO intercontinental flyweight bout last week, has been declared brain dead.
Snow, wind give outdoor NHL game extra edge (USA Today) Sports television media writer Michael Hiestand takes a look at the NHL outdoor game featuring Pittsburgh and Buffalo; an update of sorts on Arkansas running back Darren McFadden’s NFL future via FOX’s Brian Baldinger; assorted NFL media notes and a quick Pat Summerall nugget.
Michigan’s English accepts Louisville gig (AP/SI.com) Ron English accepted Louisville’s offer to be its defensive coordinator, the same job he had at Michigan, where incoming coach Rich Rodriguez fired all of Lloyd Carr’s assistants.
Nolan gives up control, keeps coaching job (Y! Sports) Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports confirms the rumors that San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan will return to the “City by the Bay,” but his power, staff will see some changes.
Report: Raiders’ Sapp tells ‘mates that he’s retiring (NFL.com/The FanHouse) Via The FanHouse, the NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Warren Sapp, he of the 96.5 career sacks and seven Pro Bowl appearances, has told teammates that he’s hanging up the spikes.
…and finally…
Winter Classic shootout (YouTube) We mentioned the “Winter Classic” outdoor NHL game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, New York. Here is the complete shootout portion of the game in perhaps one of the most electric atmospheres at a sporting event in quite some time.
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