Frogs scouted by Fiesta Bowl co-chairman
Football attracts national attention as program improves
By Rusty Simmons
associate editor
Of the 30,796 people at Amon Carter Stadium Saturday morning, the TCU
football team may have been most proud of attracting Evan Paoletti, the
Fiesta Bowl team selection co-chairman.
“It is nice to know that someone from such a prestigious bowl game
was there,” head coach Dennis Franchione said. “But it is premature
to put a lot of thought into it yet. Just being on their radar screen
is nice, because it’s better than having to come on later in the
year.”
The Fiesta Bowl scouted seven games Saturday for its Jan. 1 game in Tempe,
Ariz., but TCU’s 41-14 rout of Northwestern and senior tailback LaDainian
Tomlinson’s 243 rushing yards impressed Paoletti.
“As things develop I could be back (in Fort Worth),” said Paoletti,
who spent three days on the TCU campus last week. “But I like what
I see. This guy, LaDainian Tomlinson, is really something to watch.”
The Fiesta Bowl will host the Big 12 champion, unless that team is ranked
first or second in the Bowl Championship Series poll. Currently, the Nebraska
Cornhuskers, who are in the Big 12 North division, are ranked No. 1 in
the nation. The Fiesta Bowl then has the right to the first pick among
bowls to replace that team.
The
second team invited to play in the Fiesta Bowl can be the champion from
the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big East or the Southeastern Conference.
The runner-up in the Pac-10 Conference or Notre Dame could also be invited
if the champions from the ACC, Big East or SEC are already committed to
play in the Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl.
The Western Athletic Conference champion can get an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl only if all the other teams have already committed to play in different bowl games.
Four national champions, Tennessee in 1999; Nebraska in 1996; Notre Dame in 1989; and Miami, Fla. in 1987, have played in the Fiesta Bowl.
“We’ve had four national champions,” Paoletti said. “I
can’t remember a bad Fiesta Bowl game. We’ve been very lucky
(with our selections).”
Although TCU is ranked No. 18, the Frogs share similarities with some
past Fiesta Bowl competitors.
Another in-state team, the University of Texas at Austin, played in the
Fiesta Bowl in 1997. Four running backs who won the Heisman Trophy, an
award Tomlinson is seeking, played in the Fiesta Bowl — Pittsburgh’s
Tony Dorsett in 1973, Southern California’s Marcus Allen in 1982,
Colorado’s Rashaan Salaam in 1995 and Texas’ Ricky Williams
in 1997.
Athletics Director Eric Hyman said the comparison with some of the bowl’s
great teams from the past is a credit to the job Franchione has done with
the TCU football program.
“We just have to continue to take care of our business,” Hyman
said. “We have an individual (Tomlinson), who is in the running for
the most prestigious award (the Heisman Trophy) in college football, we
have had success against the likes of Southern California and East Carolina
and we are working on our longest winning streak since the 1950s.
“In our society people look for teams, like TCU, which are ready
to explode. I think the Fiesta Bowl has taken notice of that.”
Paoletti said the attention on the TCU football program has risen on a
national scale.
“I have a great deal of regard for TCU,” Paoletti said. “Dennis
Franchione and the program have really put something together here. We
feel like TCU is a program on the rise.”
The Frogs have played their last two bowl games in front of an average
crowd of 40,406 people.
“We feel that the fans are pretty important,” Paoletti said.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm in this program right now. It’s
getting contagious.”
Rusty Simmons
j.r.simmons@student.tcu.edu
Mittie adds to staff
New assistant coach welcomed
By Danny Horne
sports editor
The TCU women’s basketball team welcomed its new coach just a few
days before the fall semester started last year. With about six weeks
remaining before the Lady Frogs play their first exhibition game this
season, they welcome another member to the coaching staff.
Head coach Jeff Mittie hired Tonya Benton as an assistant coach to replace
Lara Webb, who decided to leave her position at TCU to play professionally
in Australia.
Benton comes to TCU after spending three months as an assistant at Howard
Junior College.
Senior guard Jill Sutton said she didn’t expect many problems with
the new coaching transition.
“It’s always an adjustment when you introduce someone new,”
Sutton said. “We’re already somewhat familiar with her because
we worked together at camps this summer. So, in that respect, it’s
not the same as last season.”
Benton said working with the coaching staff and players this summer was
almost like an interview with the team.
“I was already good friends with Lara,” Benton said. “So
I knew exactly what I was getting into. It’s going to be a lot of
work and very long hours. I’m looking forward to it.”
Benton said she expects her transition into coaching at the Division I-A
level to take some time.
“Everything is different from junior college to the Division I level,”
she said. “(At Howard), I really almost had to do everything, but
here I have my specific focuses. There is definitely a difference in the
quality of athletes and the attitudes.
“Of course, I can’t forget the travel. I just know it will be
better flying than taking vans everywhere.”
Benton’s specific duties will include handling film exchange with
opponents, breaking down film, supervising the conditioning of the players,
recruiting and on-the-floor coaching of the guards.
“We’ve got a lot of talent at the guard position,” Benton
said. “Initially, I’m going to put some focus on defense and
shooting, but overall, we’re in very good shape there.”
Sutton said she expects Benton to be a great addition to the program.
“I’m not sure yet on how we’ll work together on the court
(because we haven’t gotten that far yet), but she’s bringing
tremendous excitement and attitude to our workouts in the weight room,”
Sutton said. “We know she’s a good coach from working with her
during the summer.”
While Benton said although the move will take some getting used to, she
expects the familiarity with the players and the program to come with
time.
“For Mittie to come in here last year and do such a good job, was
an accomplishment,” Benton said. “Our adjustment this season
shouldn’t be on such a large scale.”
Danny Horne
bravestcu3116@mindspring.com