College Confidential

Brad Hastings belongs in Texas Tech Hall of Honor

I didn't know Brad Hastings. But after talking to several people who knew him very well, I now feel like I know him very well.

Hastings died of heart failure on Apr. 6. Before he prematurely left this earth at age 44, he touched many lives in a positive way.

"Everybody loved Brad Hastings, and everybody knew Brad Hastings,'' said Brad's dad, Fred Hastings. "He and I love each other pretty good.'' 

Hastings starred at Arlington Bowie High School in the early 1980's, and was chosen as a Parade Magazine High School All-American. He later was one of the top linebackers in the country while playing for Texas Tech.

A celebration of life will be held for Hastings today from 2-5 p.m. in Arlington at 4016 West Division Street. His memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington, located at 1200 South Collins.

But there was more to Brad Hastings than just a man who piled up a bunch of tackles for Bowie and Texas Tech. When others wouldn't, Hastings played through one knee injury after another and loved every minute of it.

That courage ultimately cost him a career in the NFL. Indeed, five knee injuries on the same knee derailed Hastings' NFL career before it could get off the ground.

Spike Dykes, who was Hastings' position coach at Tech in 1983, '84 and '85, and the school's head coach in '86, said Hastings' penchant for playing hurt was legendary.

"The last year (in 1986) he played hurt and probably really hurt his chances of making it to the NFL, because he would have been a big-time NFL player had he not gotten hurt,'' Dykes said. "He just kept playing with a hurt knee and it finally got the best of him, as far as in the professional league.''

Among his numerous accolades, here's one thing about Hastings that I truly don't understand. Why isn't he in the Texas Tech Hall of Honor?

No disrespect to those who have already been inducted into Tech's Hall of Honor. But Hastings also belongs right there alongside you.

Hastings left Tech in 1987 as the school's all-time leader in tackles with 480. He still ranks second on that list.

Hastings also was a fierce competitior who was chosen all-Southwest Conference three consecutive seasons. He was so talented that he played in the prestigious Blue-Gray All-Star game in 1986 _ a game reserved for the best seniors in the country.

"He was hands-down the best linebacker in the Southwest Conference,'' Dykes said. "He was a pleasure and a joy to coach, and he had a real passion for the game.''

In other words, if no one at Tech can find time to induct Brad Hastings into the school's Hall of Honor, they might as well shut the whole thing down. The Red Raiders' shrine will be a joke without Hastings in it.

"If he's not in the Hall of Honor, it's an oversight,'' Dykes said. "In fact, I'm surprised he's not (in it already), because he was something else.

"I don't know the faintest idea why he wouldn't be. I promise you one thing, if he's not, he's got to be, big-time.''

Tech coach Mike Leach summed up the feelings of the Red Raider Nation in regards to Hastings' passing when he said: "It's a real tragic deal and we're all sad.''

-- Dwain Price

 

Warren says he's staying--again

Oklahoma freshman guard Willie Warren on Thursday confirmed via text that he was not going to enter this year's NBA draft and would be playing for the Sooners next season.

Warren also seemed to indicate that he and his mother would not be meeting with coach Jeff Capel this weekend. He said he had talked it over with his mother and informed OU coach Jeff Capel of his decision earlier this week. Basketball spokesman Mike Houck, however, said that he had talked to Capel and that he did not anticipate the program issuing any official statement at this time.--Mike Jones.

Unique scoring system for Texas A&M spring FB game

Because of a depleted roster, Texas A&M football coach Mike Sherman will invoke a unique scoring system for Saturday's Maroon-White spring scrimmage (2 p.m., Kyle Field).

More than 20 players will miss the game because of injury, many of them offensive and defensive linemen. That has led Sherman to carry over his scoring system for daily drills -- designed to promote competition between the offense and defense -- and make Saturday's public showcase an Offense (Maroon) vs. Defense (White) proposition.

For those planning to attend, here is a breakdown on how the Aggies can score points, or lose points, on each play that unfolds Saturday in Kyle Field:

THE POINTS SYSTEM:

OFFENSE (MAROON)

Run or pass of more than 5 yards  ….    +1

Run or pass of more than 10 yards  …   +2

Touchdown run or pass   …       +6

Explosive run (12 yards or more) …  +4

Explosive pass (18 yards or more)   …   +4

No turnovers   …    +5

5 completions in a row …   +5

Dropped pass   …     -1

False start   …     -1

3rd down conversion (1-2 yards)   …    +1

3rd down conversion (3-8 yards)  …     +2

3rd down conversion (9-11 yards)   …   +3

3rd down conversion (12 yards or more) …  +4

Overtime or Red Zone sack, penalty or turnover …  -3

DEFENSE (WHITE)

Run of less than 3 yards  …   +1

Pass of less than 5 yards  …   +1

Pass deflected or blocked    …  +2

5 incompletions in a row   …   +5

Touchdown on interception or fumble return   …   +6

Turnover with no touchdown   …  +3

Tackle for loss   …   +2

Pressure  …    +2

Encroachment  …   -1

Dropped interception  …   -2

Allow no explosive plays (entire practice) …  +10

Allow 1 explosive play (entire practice)  …  +6

Allow 2 explosive plays (entire practice)  … +3

Allow 3 or more explosive plays (entire practice) …   -10

3rd down conversion stop  …   +1

Overtime or Red Zone with no TD …    +6

_ Jimmy Burch

              

UT's James to survey interest

Texas junior forward Damion James has elected to submit his name for the June NBA draft, but will not hire an agent, a source with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday morning.

An formal announcement is expected later today. James has until June 15 to explore his options--though many NBA teams have cut back on flying in possible draft choices for tryouts and one camp has been cancelled. James has not been projected any higher than the mid-20's in mock drafts this spring.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma freshman Willie Warren and his mother are scheduled to meet this weekend with Sooners coach Jeff Capel regarding his future. Warren has repeatedly said he will return and Capel several times this week has indicated he believes he will be back next season.--Mike Jones.

Mike Leach suspends DE McKinner Dixon

First it was wide receiver Edward Britton who felt the wrath of Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. Now defensive end McKinner Dixon is in Leach's doghouse and may have played his last game for the Red Raiders.

Leach has suspended Dixon indefnitely for violating team rules, a.k.a. not taking of his school responsibilities.

"There's really not much to say, because I haven seen him,'' Leach said Tuesday. "We've spent a ton of our time messing around with a handful of players and at some point the madness has to stop.''

A 6-3, 250-pound senior-to-be, Dixon had nine sacks for the Red Raiders last year. But Leach said he is sacking the Lufkin native for now because he steadfastly refuses to abide by team rules.

"He's one of those guys who we jump-start him and it lasts a week, and it's all the same excuses,'' Leach said. "The broken car is his favorite one.

"He's always able to get to Lufkin, but then his car somehow magically always breaks once he's in Lufkin.''

Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said Dixon is not a bad kid. He just needs to grow up, go to class and handle his responsibilities.

"We've got one of the top graduation rates in the country,'' McNeill said. "We love you being a great player, but you've got to go to class. That's important.

"He's got to learn the hard way. If he does what we tell him to do he can be on the team. He's got to do what we ask him to do.''

Shortly after spring practice started last month, Leach had Britton sit in a chair at midfield and do his homework because the wide receiver had fell behind in his homework activities. Britton is now back in Leach's good graces.

Dixon, however, is not taking care of his school responsibilities and Leach is fed up with it and he's not taking it any more

"I think he plays a dumb card and I think people buy into it to a point,'' Leach said. "People fall for it, and then he does that every place.''

Leach said if his other players can follow the rules, then so can Dixon.

"He's a good kid, but at the same time when you're going to make rules you need to make rules and stand by them,'' McNeill said. "I'd love to have him back, but hopefully he'll learn.

"How much is enough? The team is bigger than an individual.''

McNeill said he held Dixon out of several practices last week so he could catch up on his classroom work. Apparently it hasn't worked.

"Mike has to make sure the tail isn't wagging the dog,'' McNeill said. "Mike believes in academics and so do I.''

_ Dwain Price

 

OU's Warren, UT's James to decide soon

Oklahoma freshman Willie Warren and Texas junior Damion James could well make their decisions known this week on their immediate futures--with no solid word from either camp yet as to whether they will test their standing in this year’s June NBA draft or return for another season.

Warren and his mother are scheduled to meet with OU coach Jeff Capel this week. James will have a similar conference with Rick Barnes in the next couple of days, so is not expected to make any kind of definitive announcement at Monday night’s team banquet.

In a stronger draft pool, it would be clear that Warren would benefit from another season with the Sooners -- and will regardless. If he returns and improves an overall game that needs it, he could move up into the elite group for 2010. He’s said repeatedly that he plans on returning and has made no secret he relishes being The Guy for the Sooners, to prove he can be a star without Blake Griffin. He’s close to both top recruits Tiny Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin and has talked about wanting to play a year with them.

But I’ve heard those kinds of things before from players who yet opted to split. Circumstances in their particular draft years, however, dictated they go more often than not. No one I’ve checked with close to the OU program though has offered any indication they believe that Warren will leave, for what that’s worth.

A more solid guess is that James will decide to play around in the pool without hiring an agent and eventually be back next season on a team that certainly if he returns is immediately in the conversation about those teams with 2010 Final Four potential.

James is not now a lottery pick. His game needs work, especially his ball-handling skills. He has indicated he wants to make some kind of decision this week. Family circumstance may play a bigger part in his thought process than in Warren’s, but he too can only improve his standing -- and thus his earning potential -- by returning for his senior year.

-- Mike Jones 

OU's Griffin off to NBA

As expected, Oklahoma college basketball player of the year Blake Griffin announced Tuesday afternoon that he was giving up his last two years of eligibility in favor of entering the NBA draft in June, where he is forecast to be the No.1 pick.

“It’s tough to walk away from something like this but at the same time, it’s a big opportunity and I felt like I was ready for it this year,” Griffin said at a press conference with coach Jeff Capel.

“This is the right decision," Capel agreed. "In my mind, it’s a no-brainer. It wasn’t a decision to really debate because it’s the right one, and it’s the best thing for Blake.”

Griffin said in order for him to feel comfortable with leaving OU he would have to be "100 percent sure" that he would be the top pick. After delaying his departure after last season, he said he was comfortable with it.

Griffin led the nation with 30 double-doubles and 14.4 rebounds per game. His 22.7-point scoring average was also the Big 12's best. He led the Sooners to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, where they lost to eventual national champion North Carolina, by averaging 28.5 points and 15 rebounds.

Though Capel loses Griffin and point guard Austin Johnson, he is expected to rebuild around sophomore-to-be guard Willie Warren and a top five nationally ranked class led by 6-foot-9 Keith "Tiny" Gallon and Houston Madison point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin.--Mike Jones.

Texas asterisk gone, bonuses will stay

The asterisk designation for a 2008 Big 12 championship is being taken down from the wall in Texas’ football meeting room. Initially reported Sunday after the Longhorns’ spring game, school officials said coach Mack Brown has ordered its removal.

But Brown’s assistant coaches will keep a combined $44,000 in bonus pay from the 2008 season, triggered by clauses in their contracts that called for the bonuses to be paid if the Longhorns won a Big 12 football championship. In today’s editions of the Austin American-Statesman, school president William Powers, Jr. said it was “the right decision” to approve the bonus money for assistant coaches and support staff members _ ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 per person _ because the 12-1 team was denied the opportunity to play for a Big 12 title under league tiebreaking procedures rather than a lack of on-field success. Brown did not receive a bonus under the Big 12 championship clause in his contract.

Texas shared the South Division title with Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Under league tiebreakers, OU advanced and defeated Missouri, the North Division representative, to claim the 2008 title.

_ Jimmy Burch

Griffin's decision this afternoon

Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin, the consensus national player of the year, will announce his decision at a press conference this afternoon regarding the NBA draft.

Griffin has long been expected to take the opportunity to be the No.1 choice in the June draft and odds favor that happening, given his early announcement. He had until April 26 to decide. Hopeful Sooner fans, however, could interpret just the opposite. We'll know in a matter of hours.--Mike Jones.

National pub for TCU football

TCU football and coach Gary Patterson have won a spot in the national media rotation. ESPN The Magazine's Bruce Feldman wrote about his visit to the TCU spring football scrimmage while listing the Horned Frogs just outside his Top Ten contenders for the 2009 BCS title. Read it here.