Read more about the article Elko and coaches discuss state of ACC rivalries and college football’s unstable future

Elko and coaches discuss state of ACC rivalries and college football’s unstable future

PHOTO: Mike Elko is new to Duke football, but he his familiar with in-state rivalries. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN CARY, N.C. – Name, Image and Likeness combined with the transfer portal to further unsettle coach football, but if you’re looking for a glimpse of tradition, Mike Elko provided one. Duke’s new football coach attended his first Bill Dooley Chapter of the National Football Foundation Pigskin Preview Friday at the Embassy Suites in suburban Raleigh.…

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Read more about the article Ruffin McNeill joins The End Game discussing ups and downs of coaching and his rise from segregation to NC State elder statesman

Ruffin McNeill joins The End Game discussing ups and downs of coaching and his rise from segregation to NC State elder statesman

Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN The End Game’s Episode 8 features Ruffin McNeill, a former East Carolina head coach who is one the most respected coaches in his profession. He’s entering his third season serving NC State coach Dave Doeren as a special assistant. In 48-minute videocast with my co-host Herman Bulls, McNeill, 63, discussed his career from growing up as a Black youth cropping tobacco in segregated North Carolina to an elder statesman. He…

Continue ReadingRuffin McNeill joins The End Game discussing ups and downs of coaching and his rise from segregation to NC State elder statesman
Read more about the article Ruffin McNeill and Lincoln Riley rewrote the old boys network

Ruffin McNeill and Lincoln Riley rewrote the old boys network

By TOM SHANAHAN The decade-long coaching bond linking Ruffin McNeill and Lincoln Riley is — on its surface — a typical old-boy network story. McNeill twice appointed Riley as his offensive coordinator. When Riley was named a head coach, he hired McNeill. And you say, So what? Head coaches routinely hire a familiar colleague. The coaching network has always worked that way – both in college and the NFL. Two coaches mesh closely and continue to turn to…

Continue ReadingRuffin McNeill and Lincoln Riley rewrote the old boys network