WVU’s Doc Holliday heading to Marshall

West Virginia associate head coach Doc Holliday has left Florida, where he was on the road recruiting for the Mountaineers, and is en route to Huntington. It also looks like he’s en route to the head coaching football job at Marshall. Sources, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Gazette that no deal has been finalized, but that Holliday is the apparent choice to succeed Mark Snyder, who recently chose to resign rather than be fired as the MU coach. Holliday, a Hurricane native, has been a silent candidate throughout the process because of his job with the Mountaineers, a rival of MU. Holliday is expected to meet with MU athletic director Mike Hamrick this evening and Thursday and, if a deal can be finalized, sign a contract. The sources say WVU head coach Bill Stewart and athletic director Ed Pastilong have been informed of the proceedings. – Charleston Gazette

Dan Hawkins on Hot Seat at Colorado

Fourth-year coach Dan Hawkins, 13-26, is showing up on national coaching “hot seat” lists after opening with losses to Colorado State and Toledo, games most CU fans had chalked up as victories before the season. Saturday, Colorado hosts a Wyoming team no doubt brimming with confidence after leading Texas late in the first half last week. Then the meat of CU’s schedule arrives, with a trip to West Virginia followed by Big 12 opponents. CU was favored in its first two games but fell behind early and never recovered. The Buffs couldn’t stop the pass, or the run, and didn’t show much firepower on offense until falling far behind in the 54-38 loss to Toledo last Friday. There’s much to be done — in a hurry. Team captains have called for a players-only meeting this week. And Hawkins said Tuesday the defense will be simplified for Saturday’s game. “You get tied up in knots a little bit with trying to do too much,” Hawkins said. – Denver Post

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez sued

University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez is being sued for defaulting on a real-estate loan to build high-end condominiums in the shadows of Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium. One of five guarantors for a proposed 80-condominium gated community called The Legends of Blacksburg, Rodriguez and his partners allegedly owe Nexity Bank $3.9 million, including interest and penalties. Rodriguez was served a summons and complaint in his football office at 5:27 p.m. on Aug. 24, court papers show. Michigan practiced earlier in the day. According to court filings, The Legends of Blacksburg, LLC, signed a loan promissory note for $26.1 million in September 2007, when Rodriguez was coach at West Virginia. – AnnArbor.com

West Virginia “D” might be the “dominating force’”

A day later, the Mountaineers scrimmaged on the back end of the camp’s second two-a-day and Stewart felt he’d finally found something. “I’ve been harping on it and I thought someone finally dominated,” he said. “I thought our defense got after it. Those blue shirts flat got after our offensive guys.” The praise came with a clause, though. “They played Mountaineer football for three quarters, but that’s OK,” Stewart said. “In camp, that’s about what I expect, but for three quarters the defense gave us Mountaineer football. The fourth quarter, the offense saw an opening and whacked the defense real good.” –Charleston Daily Mail

Rapid Fire: Focus on Fulmer, Snyder & Stewart

“Rapid Fire” at Football Rumor Mill focuses on multiple coaches around the country who are in serious jeopardy. The latest edition centers on no less than four jobs…

Tennessee
Lighten up? During Tennessee week? Why was this man smiling? That’s easy. He gets to face Phillip Fulmer again. That would put a grin on the Grinch. Saban has made a living beating a lot of coaches - and helped cost a few their livelihoods; see Tommy Bowden - but he’s been especially hard on Fulmer. It’s not just that Saban is 3-1 against Fulmer. Or that Saban’s teams have scored 38, 18, 31 and 41 points against Fulmer’s teams. The worst thing Saban ever did to Fulmer was coach LSU, behind a backup quarterback, past Tennessee in the 2001 SEC Championship Game. The Vols were No. 2 in the nation entering that game and up by a point starting the fourth quarter… Could Saban, who started Fulmer’s slow decline, help finish him off Saturday night in Neyland Stadium?… Fulmer, who’s built a nice career obsessing over and taking down Alabama, has bigger issues than Saban. Last week, the Knoxville News-Sentinel wrote, Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton “confirmed that some boosters have discussed Fulmer’s possible replacement, but said those conversations have been limited.” Hamilton also told the paper that Tennessee has a $7 million reserve to cover unexpected expenses, like buying out the football staff, if necessary. – Birmingham News

Marshall
The truth of the matter is Snyder’s buyout is downright economical. According to his contract, if Marshall were to dismiss Snyder he would be paid his base salary of $149,968 multiplied by the number of years remaining on his pact which extends through 2013. Do the math. If Snyder were relieved of his duties after this season with four years remaining on his contract, his buyout would be $599,872. The only aspect that could alter the sum is if it were pro-rated to the end of the fiscal year. However, just because I’m revealing this fact doesn’t mean I’m advocating Snyder’s dismissal. I’m not. It’s much too early to even consider that. I am unequivocally opposed to such mid-season moves. My stance all along has been Marshall needs to win six games and reach post-season. If the Herd falls short and suffers a fourth consecutive losing season, then I believe the direction of the program should be re-evaluated. – Herald-Dispatch

West Virginia
Speaking of buyouts, dissident WVU fans had better get used to first-year head coach Bill Stewart. If the Mountaineers wanted to dismiss Stewart after this season, WVU would have to ante up a $4.4 million buyout. He’s not going anywhere. – Herald-Dispatch