College Confidential

TCU-ex in Futures Game

Former TCU All-America pitcher Jake Arrieta is getting some pretty impressive notice in the minors. He has been chosen to play for the U.S. in the 10th Annual Futures Game on July 13 at Yankee Stadium. The game will be part of the MLB All-Star Weekend.

Arrieta is 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA for the Fredrick Keys in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He was also selected to the Carolina League-California League All-Star Game. He ranks second in the Carolina League in stirkeouts.

- Rick Herrin

Star-Telegram POY picks TCU

Former Arlington Martin shortstop Janzten Witte, the Star-Telegram's Player of the Year, committed to TCU on Friday. He comes in as a walk-on and joins an already impressive incoming freshman class for the Horned Frogs. Witte hit .468 with 37 RBI for the state-ranked Warriors and committed only one error during district play. He was also considering UTA, Texas State and New Mexico.

- Rick Herrin

UNT finishes deals with Army, SMU

North Texas has signed long-term deals with two non-conference football opponents, Army and SMU.

The SMU series doesn't get going again until 2014. UNT and SMU completed a two-year deal in 2007. Starting in Denton in 2014, the teams will play through 2017, with an option for eight more games through 2025. Could UNT's Todd Dodge and SMU's June Jones still be going at it in 2025?

Of more pressing relevance is the Army series, which starts at UNT in 2009 and shifts to West Point in 2010. The teams won't meet again until 2016 at Army, the first of four meetings through 2019.

As a UNT fan, if you have interest in a football weekend you'll never forget, plan on the trip to West Point now in 2010. A fall Saturday at Michie Stadium, which overlooks the hazy Hudson River, and a tour of the U.S. Military Academy, are well worth the visit. Starting early in the morning on game days, Army puts on quite a show for its visitors. The experience does not disappoint.

--Troy Phillips

Schlossnagle withdraws name

TCU baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle said tonight that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Auburn head coaching vacancy.
“Sometimes as a coach when you look at other opportunities you learn it confirms how great a situation you already already have,’’ he said. “I know it will make me an even better coach for TCU.’’
Schlossnagle met with Auburn school officials about the vacancy Sunday in Atlanta. Auburn is looking to replace Tom Slater, who resigned on May 17 after four seasons.
Schlossnagle, who is 211-102 at TCU, has guided the Horned Frogs to five consecutive regional appearances, as well as three straight Mountain West Conference regular season and tournament titles.
“It speaks to the greatness of TCU and players and coaches and how well they’ve done,’’ Schlossnagle said of being considered for the position. “I don’t look at every job that comes along. I don’t chase jobs and never have.’’
-Trae Thompson

The workout warriors

Here's the ESPN The Magazine list of college football workout warriors that includes TCU linebacker Jason Phillips, Texas' Brian Orakpo, Baylor's Robert Griffin and Texas Tech's Rylan Reed. You can also go to www.gofrogs.com to vote on who has been the greatest football player in TCU history.

Georgia State to make Curry first coach

ATLANTA — Once again, the lure of college football is bringing Bill Curry back to Atlanta.

Almost 50 years after he began his college playing career at Georgia Tech, Curry will become the first coach of Georgia State’s new football program Thursday.

Curry’s hire was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the process who did not want to be identified because the school has scheduled a news conference for Thursday.

The 65-year-old Curry will join former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves as patriarchs of the program. Reeves has served as a consultant and helped raise $1.2 million in pledged funds for the program.

Reeves said he was not part of the selection process but said “I can tell you this, I think that is a heck of a choice, a great deal for Georgia State, if that is the case.

“I think Bill will do a super job. He’s got a great reputation. You couldn’t ask for anyone better to start Georgia State’s program. He’s got college experience, he has recruited and he lieves in Atlanta. I think that’s fantastic.”

Reeves said he was asked if he’d be interested in the job.

“They talked to me but I just felt they needed to get somebody with college experience and who has recruited and is excited about the job,” Reeves said.

Georgia State athletic director Mary McElroy and university president Carl Patton announced in April the school will begin play in 2010 as a Football Championship Subdivision team (formerly Division I-AA).

The Panthers will compete in the Colonial Athletic Association and will play their home games at the Georgia Dome.

Draft trivia

Paris Junior College second baseman Andrew Robinson, a Fort Worth Nolan Catholic graduate, was drafted yesterday with the 762nd pick. Robinson, who is transferring to Texas Tech this fall, originally played shortstop for the Vikings in high school, but was later moved to left field.
The draft did have a family connection. Robinson's grandfather?
Former Texas Rangers general manager Eddie Robinson.
-Trae Thompson

Steve Smith stays

Looks like Baylor is keeping its head coach. -Trae Thompson

Thompson's status

Former Arlington Grace Prep athletic director/baseball coach David Reese said if the money's right that he expects pitcher Matt Thompson to sign with the Texas Rangers.
Reese said Thompson probably would've been drafted higher but slipped due to the money he was asking for. Thompson will be introduced tonight at the Rangers game, said Reese, adding that he went up to the Big 12 tournament recently and was clocked throwing 93 mph.
"We've monitored him, and he hasn't pitched a lot like other guys his age,'' Reese said. "TCU wanted him to put on weight, and he gained 20 pounds in three months. TCU gave him a good eating program. He's a good kid, and I know his dad pitched at a good level. Matt will do well. I'm pretty excited for him.''

-Trae Thompson

TCU could lose Grace Prep recruit

One Frogs recruit under the big-name radar they were worried about losing to the MLB draft was Grace Prep right-hander Matt Thompson (6-foot-3, 210 pounds). And the neighborhood team might be the one stealing him. The Rangers selected Thompson in the 7th round. Thompson has indicated he wants to sign a pro contract and going in the 7th round is a major indication that could happen.

- RH