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Lakers Targeting UConn’s Dan Hurley as Their Next Coach, per Report

The Los Angeles Lakers' search for their next coach has taken a dramatic turn as they are now targeting UConn's Dan Hurley, according to a report by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski shook up the basketball world early Thursday morning with his report that the Lakers are looking to give Hurley a massive longterm deal and that talks are going to heat up over the next few days.

Hurley has led UConn to back-to-back NCAA titles over the past two years.

Wojnarowski broke the news in a series of tweets:

ESPN Sources: The Lakers have had preliminary contact with Hurley and sides are planning to escalate discussions in coming days. Hurley’s been at the forefront of the Lakers’ search from the beginning of the process, even while the organization has done its due diligence…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 6, 2024

Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss are eager to formally discuss their vision with Hurley of marrying his dominant program --- built upon both his tactical acumen and elite player development -- to the storied Lakers’ brand, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 6, 2024

"The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing a massive long term offer for Connecticut Lakers coach, Dan Hurley...
The sides have preliminary contact, I'm told and those conversations are expected to escalate in the coming days."
Adrian Wojnarowski with a wojbomb. pic.twitter.com/Sx5T77e49y
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 6, 2024

We'll have more updates as they come.

5 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Former South Florida WR S.J. Green Named To Canadian Football Hall of Fame

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame announced their 2024 class of inductees this weekend, with one notable South Florida Bull included.

Former USF wide receiver and Brandon High School product S.J. Green was named one of seven total inductees that will be enshrined on September 14.

Over four seasons at USF (2003-2006), Green caught 62 passes for 864 yards with five touchdowns.

After college, Green moved on to a productive career in Canada, where he spent ten seasons with the Montreal Alouettes and three with the Toronto Argonauts. He played 170 total games in the CFL. He finished with 716 receptions, twelfth-most all-time in CFL history. Green also totaled 10,222 receiving yards with 60 touchdowns on the way to earning a CFL All-Star nod three times.

Green finished his professional career with three Grey Cup wins (two with Montreal and one with Toronto).

5 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Former Hawaii All-American Chad Owens Named To Canadian Football Hall of Fame

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame announced their 2024 class of inductees this weekend with a name that fans of Hawaii football will surely recognize.

Honolulu native and former UH wide receiver Chad Owens was named one of seven total inductees that will be enshrined on September 14.

Owens spent 2001 to 2004 with the Rainbow Warriors, where he caught 239 passes for 3,031 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was a FWAA Freshman All-American in 2001 after returning 24 kicks for 807 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior in 2004, he was a second-team All-American after 102 receptions for 1,290 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. He finished his college career as Hawaii's all-time career yardage leader with 5,461 all-purpose yards.

Owen's was Hawaii's leading receiver in both 2003 and 2004, catching passes from Hawaii's now-head coach Timmy Chang.

Ater college, Owens was a sixth-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005. He made the move to the Canadian Football League in 2009 as a practice squad member of the Montreal Alouettes. His most productive seasons in Canada came with the Toronto Argonauts from 2010 to 2015. in 2012, he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2012 with 3,863 all-purpose yards. Toronto also won the Grey Cup that season. He was a four-time CFL All-Star.

4 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

TRANSFER PORTAL: Kentucky Kicker Commits To WKU

This week, University of Kentucky redshirt sophomore Jackson Smith announced his commitment to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers from the transfer portal. Smith spent the previous two seasons with the Wildcats where he never saw game action, but was twice named to the SEC academic honor roll.

Extremely excited to continue my academic and athletic career at WKU! Go Tops! pic.twitter.com/RtOPUHeFzr
— jackson smith (@jacksonsmithh27) May 1, 2024

Smith was an extremely accomplished specialist in high school, winning National Specialist of the Year three years in a row (2019, 2020, 2021) from ProKicker.com. The same outlet named him as #1 kicker/punter in the 2022 recruiting class. Smith is also the son of former All-SEC punter Andy Smith, who also played at Kentucky.

Current WKU field goal kicker Lucas Carneiro, also a redshirt sophomore, was a CUSA honorable mention after going a perfect 47-for-47 on PATs in 2023. He was 9-12 on field goal attempts last season. The starting punter position will be different in 2023 after Tom Ellard's transfer to Division II's Northern State University.

WKU will open the 2024 season on August 31 at Alabama.

4 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

TRANSFER PORTAL: Arkansas State Adds Two Players To Roster

After entering the transfer portal for a second time in his career, quarterback Timmy Mcclain has committed to play for the Sun Belt's Arkansas State Red Wolves. In seven appearances this past season for the UCF Knights, Mcclain threw for 1,065 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Prior to his time with the UCF Knights, Mcclain spent one season at USF in 2021 where he played in 11 games and threw for 1,888 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Bulls went 2-10 that season. Mcclain transferred after his lone season with the Bulls, spending two seasons with the Knights. He took a redshirt in 2022.

Mcclain now enters a situation where Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Jaylen Raynor, who threw for over 2,500 yards, is the arguably clear starting quarterback. Still, Mcclain provides strong depth at the position with multiple years of eligibility left backing up Raynor who is just a sophomore.

On the defensive side of things, the Wolves brought in defensive back Adrian Cole. Last season for the FIU Panthers, Cole had 30 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, and recovered one fumble for a touchdown in the season's final game.

Cole brings plenty of experience having played in the ACC with Syracuse and the Group of Five. Cole was one of the first transfers who joined FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre when he was hired.

The newest defensive back will have just one year of eligibility remaining but will join an Arkansas State defense that is coming off a season where they were towards the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt in most team statistics.

Arkansas State will open the 2024 season on August 31 when they host Central Arkansas.

3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jax State Football: Head Coach Rich Rodriguez Agrees To Extension

The Jacksonville Gamecocks have agreed to a contract extension with head coach Rich Rodriguez that will go through the 2030 season.

Rodriguez was hired in 2021 and after a strong 9-2 record in 2022, their final one at the FCS level, the Gamecocks went to the FBS level in Conference USA and ended up going 9-4 including a win in the New Orleans Bowl.

"We couldn't be more excited that Coach Rodriguez is committed to Jacksonville State and continuing to lead our football program into this new era," Athletics Director Greg Seitz said. "The growth of our program since the day he took over has been incredible, with a conference title in year one, the first bowl win by a transition team in history in year two."

Entering 2024, Jax State brought in the replacement for quarterback Zion Webb in former UConn starter Zion Turner. The quick similar style of offense that was run last year should be in place again this season, especially with Turner’s own skill set.

Along with Rodriguez's success on the field, he has been a vital piece in improvements around the facilities and ensuring his players have the best equipment and work environment.

Although the Gamecocks still have one transition year left, Jax State still cannot play a postseason game without a waiver. If enough teams do not make a bowl game in 2024, there’s a likely chance that Rich Rodriguez's team can reach the six-win marker to make it into a second consecutive bowl game. The Gamecocks will also be one of the top teams in Conference USA. Against the conference last season, Jax State went 6-2.

2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

FCS All-American WR Commits To Fresno State In Transfer Portal

This week, Missouri State wide receiver Raylen Sharpe announced his commitment to continue his college football career at Fresno State this fall. Sharpe was a three-star transfer prospect, graded by On3 Sports.

It’s bread on the table, I got family to feed. @FresnoStateFB pic.twitter.com/fGWCJdZdpW
— Raylen Sharpe (@SharpeRaylen) May 1, 2024

A native of Allen, Texas, Sharpe began his college career in Houston in 2021, where he appeared in one game for the Cougars and was also a track & field athlete. He spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons at Missouri State, where he had 307 yards in 2022 and 991 receiving yards in 2023. He also caught seven touchdowns.

Last season with the Bears, Sharpe was an All-America selection by Phil Steele (second team), Associated Press (third team) and Stats Perform (third team). Sharpe also broke the Missouri State program record for receptions in a season with 73. His 991 yards were the second-most in a season in Missouri State history.

Fresno State are scheduled to open their 2024 football season on August 31 at Michigan.

2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

REPORT: WKU Starting CB Anthony Johnson Jr. Exiting Transfer Portal

On3's Pete Nakos reported on Thursday that Western Kentucky Hilltoppers' defensive back Anthony Johnson Jr. had withdrawn from the transfer portal. He originally entered the portal on April 16.

Western Kentucky cornerback Anthony Johnson has withdrawn from the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
An On3 College four-star, he recorded 44 tackles and 4 interceptions this past season.https://t.co/VNvB2Ek6qR pic.twitter.com/5sHV5GCkBg
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) May 2, 2024

Johnson was the Defensive MVP of WKU's win over Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl this past December. He had eight tackles and an interception in that game. Johnson was Pro Football Focus' fourth-highest graded cornerback in 2023 with a score of 90.3.

A Miami native, Johnson spent two seasons at Division II West Florida before joining the Hilltoppers prior to the 2023 season. At UWF, appeared in 21 games, recording 69 tackles, 15 pass break-ups, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He was an All-CUSA Honorable Mention last season with 44 tackles with one TFL, four interceptions, a fumble recovery, and five pass breakups. He also blocked a kick in WKU's win over Louisiana Tech.

Johnson Jr. should have one season of eligibility remaining.

2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

RECRUITING: 2025 3-Star QB Commits To San Diego State

Quarterback JP Mialovksi of the class of 2025 announced his commitment to the San Diego State Aztecs on Wednesday.

A product of Millikan High School in Long Beach, California, Mialovski is listed as a 6'2", 200-pound, three-star prospect by 247Sports. He chose the Aztecs over offers from Colorado State, BYU, Cal, Cincinnati, Indiana, and Ole Miss, among others.

Last season, Mialovski completed 182 of 305 passes for 2,764 yards and 30 touchdowns with five interceptions. Mialovski is San Diego State's first commit of the 2025 class. He'll have his first chance to sign his National Letter of Intent on December 4, 2024.

After mutually parting ways with longtime head coach Brady Hoke earlier this offseason, former Kent State head coach Sean Lewis has taken over the position. He'll look to help the Aztecs improve after a disappointing 4-8 season in 2023.

1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year Transferring Again

Running back Peny Boone announced Wednesday that he inteds to transfer to the University of Central Florida, marking his fourth FBS stop in his college career.

In 2023, Boone rushed for 1,384 Yards & 15 touchdowns at the University of Toledo, earning him MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He transferred to the University of Louisville after the season and entered the portal again at the conclusion of spring practice.

The 6'1" 245-pounder spent 2020 and 2021 at the University of Maryland where he appeared in 14 games and rushed for 258 yards with two touchdowns. In 2022 and 2023 at Toledo, Boone was a member of a running back rotation that also included Jacquez Stewart, who returns to the Rockets in 2024.

Boone has a career average of 5.7 yards per carry. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.