"... I couldn’t help but think of how many people had helped me along the way. One of those people I wanted to personally thank for opening doors was Jimmy Raye. This book tells how some of those doors got pushed open. I’m sure you will enjoy reading about the journey!" - Tony DungyMiami
Saban titles challenge wrong Alabama legacy
By TOM SHANAHAN Everybody loved the late Bum Phillips -- a Hall-of-Fame quipster and folksy NFL head coach with the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Here’s quintessential Phillips, enshrined in college football lore, explaining Alabama legend Paul “Bear” Bryant’s coaching...
KJ Osborn and his many moves lands in NFL
My story from Sept. 21, 2019 in the Detroit Free Press. I don't usually like stories about athletes jumping around between schools, but it paid off for K.J. Osborn. The Minnesota Vikings took Osborn in the fifth round with the 176th overall pick.By TOM SHANAHANYpsilanti Lincoln...
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The more things change more they stay same
Expect reporters to encircle Eric Bieniemy this week at Super Bowl LIV. The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator can trust media sessions to include queries on NFL owners and general managers overlooking him as a black candidate for five vacant head coaching positions.This...
Miami win matters more than passing Dean
CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina’s injury-riddled basketball team finally secured the victory coach Roy Williams never really wanted to claim if he had his wishes.When the Tar Heels beat Yale on Dec. 30, Williams moved into a tie for fourth with Dean Smith on the NCAA...
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Williams has one disagreement with Smith
CHAPEL HILL – Roy Williams lives by unwritten philosophies he began learning from Dean Smith upon arrival in Chapel Hill 51 years ago to play on North Carolina’s freshman team. He never disagrees with his mentor. Until now. “I am mad at Coach Smith right now, to be honest with...
Duke notebook on football and basketball
By Tom Shanahan Special to the Wilson TimesDaniel Jones proved he was a better quarterback than NFL fans judged him at Duke upon taking over the New York Giants’ starting role as the sixth pick of the NFL draft.Quentin Harris, a fifth-year senior who succeeded Jones, showed...
Duke finds three point range and magic margin
DURHAM – The 30-point Blue Devils are back, ending their two-game losing streak with their fourth 30-point romp in their last five victories. Eighth-ranked Duke (16-3, 6-2 ACC) won 89-59 over Miami (10-8, 2-6 ACC) on Tuesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium 19 days after a...
Duke is less Miami and more Golden State
DURHAM – Duke basketball this year is less Miami Heat circa LaBron James with stacked talent and more Golden State Warriors pre-Kevin Durant. The Blue Devils are a younger Steph Curry version of the Warriors with meshed teamwork, and that makes them more intriguing to watch as...
More to ACC Saturday than Virginia at Duke
Virginia and ESPN’s College GameDay crew are at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium Saturday for an ACC first-place showdown. The unbeaten Cavaliers (16-0) are 4-0 in conference play and the Blue Devils 14-2 and 3-1.But what about the other 3-1 teams in range of a first-place tie if...
Georgia pressure finds Richt again in Miami
Now that Georgia coach Kirby Smart has guided Mark Richt’s former players to a College Football Playoff berth, Richt must prove Thomas Wolfe wrong. He’s gone home to Miami to show he can indeed win big games and thus guide his alma mater to a CFP berth. The Hurricanes are happy...