
December 12, 2025 | Edition: #25
The college football community is a world in itself. Generations of family members carrying forward traditions, one after the other. The casual fans only see the top layer of conference coaches like Lane Kiffin and Kirby Smart.
But these guys at the top are propped up by a huge family of people below who keep it all running. Except Pat McAfee will never visit their stomping ground. No NIL ever reaches them. Just the love of the game.
Today’s Headline
College football lost one of its own today. A loyal coach who showed his impact away from the blinding lights, but instead on the gridiron.
More Stories
Today’s Poll
Who has the best chance to be Michigan’s coach for 2026?


Jeff Thorne was part of the Cardinals’ staff from 2002 to 2021. That’s almost two decades of loyalty to a single program. A rare sight to see in today’s college coaching carousel.
Did you know
In 2022, Mel Pearson, the Michigan hockey coach, was fired after he was alleged to have created a toxic work environment for female employees and pressured student-athletes to lie about their COVID-19 status.
Pearson was also accused of lying to investigators looking into culture concerns within the program.

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