Memphis needs more football wins to join major conference

Former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese says the University of Memphis needs to win more in football to complement its compelling case for a major conference bid. Tranghese served as a paid consultant to the UofM athletic department during a sixth-month stint in which he evaluated a Tiger program positioning itself for inclusion in a Bowl Championship Series conference. Tranghese’s consulting work ended Dec. 31. He was paid $5,000 monthly through private donations, according to athletic director R.C. Johnson. – Commercial-Appeal

Jay Hopson headed to Memphis as DC

Michigan linebacker coach Jay Hopson is leaving to become defensive coordinator at Memphis… Hopson, who spent the last 2 years coaching linebackers for the Wolverines, previously served 3 seasons as defensive coordinator at Southern Mississippi, Memphis’ Conference USA rival. Michigan’s linebackers, like the defense as a whole, were an overall disappointment this year. Middle linebacker Obi Ezeh lost his starting job after eight games, and weak-side linebacker Jonas Mouton was benched late in the season. Strong-side linebacker Stevie Brown led the Wolverines in tackles in his first year playing the position after moving from safety. – AnnArbor.com

Mike Dubose takes job at Memphis

Millsaps coach Mike DuBose resigned to take an assistant position as the defensive line coach at the University of Memphis. The Majors (7-3) won their first outright league title since 1994 and made their first NCAA Division III playoff berth in 31 years. DuBose finished with a 33-10 record (24-2 SCAC record) during his four-year tenure with Millsaps. – Sun-Herald

Memphis officially introduces Larry Porter as football coach

Larry Porter began envisioning his perfect job nearly two years ago when, as an assistant coach, he and the LSU football team were being honored at the White House for winning the national championship. Porter, a former University of Memphis running back, wasn’t thinking politics. He had his alma mater on his mind. Later that night, the UofM basketball team was playing Kansas for a national title of its own, a matchup that inspired Porter to dream. “I will never forget that, on one hand, I was so proud of my alma mater,” Porter said. “On the other hand I was saying, ‘You know what? Football can be just as good.’ “I went to bed with that vision in my mind. (Saturday) night I probably slept two hours thinking about that same vision of being a championship-caliber program. I still believe that will happen.” – Commercial Appeal

Larry Porter to be named Memphis coach

Former University of Memphis running back Larry Porter will be named the Tigers head football coach, sources told The Commercial Appeal today. Porter, currently LSU’s assistant head coach, could be introduced at a press conference Sunday. – Commercial-Appeal

Redskins’ Jerry Gray likely headed to Memphis

Washington Redskins defensive assistant Jerry Gray is emerging as the likely candidate to replace Tommy Westafter he interviewed for the vacant University of Memphis football coaching position Tuesday in Memphis, according to sources close to the process. Gray, secondary coach for the Redskins, and LSU assistant Larry Porter, a former Memphis running back, are considered the top choices to become the next UofM coach. Porter interviewed Friday for the job that opened Nov. 9 when West was dismissed. – Memphis Commercial Appeal

Jerry Gray Likely New Memphis Coach

Sources at Memphis tell Football Rumor Mill that Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray is likely to be named the Tigers next head coach…

More to come…

Larry Porter Leads Memphis Search?

Well placed sources at Memphis tell Football Rumor Mill that LSU running backs coach Larry Porter has emerged at the leader in Memphis’s search for a new coach to replace the fired Tommy West.

In the early stages, it appeared MTSU coach Rick Stockstill would land the job. However, he pulled out and decided to stay in Murfreesboro. In the meantime, a schism developed among the powers at Memphis. It seems AD R.C. Johnson wanted Porter, while other prominent boosters wanted to move in another direction.

Sources indicate this morning that it appears Johnson is winning the battle. More to come from Football Rumor Mill…

Top candidates at Memphis

Three SEC assistants — Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and LSU running backs coach Larry Porter — are among those being mentioned as possible candidates to replace Tommy West, who was fired last week at Memphis. Porter is a Memphis alum, gaining 2,194 yards from 1990 to ‘93 to place sixth on the Tigers’ career rushing list. In addition to coaching running backs, Porter is assistant head coach and chief recruiter for LSU coach Les Miles. “He has great experience, great natural instincts in football, is knowledgeable and has all the people skills you would want in a guy who’s going to be called upon to make some real decisions,” Miles said of Porter. “I recommend coach Porter to any number of opportunities.” Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley, Detroit Lions assistant and former Memphis defensive coordinator Tim Walton and Oklahoma State co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer — the son of former Ole Miss coach Billy Brewer — are other potential candidates. CBSSports.com’s Dennis Dodd has reported that former Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower and North Alabama coach Terry Bowden have expressed interest in the job, while ESPN.com listed former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville as a possible candidate. Middle Tennessee’s Rick Stockstill has withdrawn his name from contention, ESPN.com reported. – Mobile Press-Register

Gran, MacIntyre in the picture at Memphis

University of Tennessee running backs coach/special teams coach Eddie Gran and Duke University defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre are the latest names to surface in the University of Memphis’ hunt for a successor to Tommy West… Memphis is expected to name a new coach shortly after the season ends Nov. 27 in Tulsa. Late last week, LSU assistant Larry Porter, Middle Tennessee coach RIck Stockstill, North Alabama coach Terry Bowden, Oklahoma State co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer and Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster emerged as the leading candidates. Porter and Stockstill appear to be atop the list, Porter for his reputation as a recruiter and being a former Memphis running back and Stockstill for his head coaching experience. His MTSU team has an opportunity to finish 9-3 this season. – Commercial-Appeal

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