Tommy Tuberville said Saturday he’s bringing “new vigor” from his year away from coaching as he prepares to take the reins of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

The university announced in a release earlier in the day that it had hired the 55-year-old former Mississippi and Auburn coach.

“After 25 years of coaching you need to recharge your batteries,” he said inside the lobby of his Lubbock hotel. “Last year being out was great for me. I’m fired up, looking forward to it.”

Tuberville was set to be introduced on Sunday.

He replaces Mike Leach, who was fired last month amid allegations he mistreated a player who suffered a concussion.

Tuberville stepped down at Auburn in December 2008, ending a 10-year tenure that included a perfect season and a string of teams that contended for Southeastern Conference championships.

He will inherit a proven spread offense two years after abandoning his attempt at implementing one midseason in his final year at Auburn in 2008. In 2000 Leach brought a pass-happy offense to Texas Tech that put up gaudy numbers in his spread offense. All but two of his quarterbacks led the nation in passing in his 10 seasons.

Texas Tech’s offense routinely sends numerous receivers downfield and consistently put up gaudy numbers in the past 10 seasons.

The time away from coaching last year led him to many schools, where he tried to stay tuned to how the game was evolving.

“I want to make sure I was in the days, times of what these kids want to play now in terms of offense and defense,” he said. “I learned.”

A person close to the Tuberville decision who was not authorized to discuss it told The Associated Press earlier Saturday that no contract has been signed but Tuberville and the university have “an agreement in principle in place.”

Tuberville was 85-40 at Auburn, including a 13-0 season in 2004 when the Tigers finished No. 2, won the SEC title for the first time in 15 years and Tuberville won the AP Coach of the Year award.

Before going to Auburn, Tuberville coached at Mississippi and compiled a 25-20 record in four years after inheriting a program under NCAA scholarship sanctions. He also spent a year as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M when the Aggies finished 10-0-1 and were among the nation’s defensive leaders.

“This is my third time…and starting a program over with new vigor,” he said.

Asked if it was the Red Raiders offense or defense that drew him to West Texas, he said it was neither.

“You know, I’m a salesman, and you have to have a great product to sell,” he said. “And obviously Texas Tech is a great place, got a great tradition.”

Last week, Myers told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that Tuberville told him he would keep the Red Raiders’ aerial offense in place and wanted to maintain continuity in the program, which hasn’t had a losing season since 1992.

Gerald Myers declined to comment at the hotel.

Tuberville told the newspaper he would change some things defensively, drawing on success he had at Auburn.

He will be officially introduced as the new coach at 2 p.m. Sunday at the school’s basketball arena by Myers and Guy Bailey, Texas Tech’s president.

The university fired Leach, the school’s winningest coach with 84 wins, with cause on Dec. 30, two days after it suspended him while the school investigated claims of mistreatment of Adam James—son of former NFL player and ESPN analyst Craig James.

Leach has denied he mistreated the sophomore receiver and his attorneys have filed claims in state district court, alleging university officials libeled and slandered him to intentionally harm his reputation.

Check out our: Auburn Watch, Texas Tech Watches, Texas Longhorns Watches or Boise State Watch

Different people have nicknames in sports. These words describe them and their performance in the team. Most of the time, they are blessed with these nicknames by their fellow teammates or by the commentators of the game. Michael Jordan was called the Air Jordan. He acquired this because of his ability to suspend in air when making a shot and his fancy moves when making a shot. George Herman Ruth, Jr. was popularly known as the Babe Ruth because he was considered as the new Babe of Jack (owner of the Baltimore Orioles). However, it is not only players of the sport, who gets a chance to have name attachments. Coaches have nicknames too.

If you ask, who was the bear of football? It is no other than Paul Bryant. He got this nickname because of accepting a challenge to fight with a bear in exchange for a dollar. Despite having this nickname attached to him since he was thirteen years old, this person have coached many teams. However, he was best associated with the team whom he has helped to win six National Championships. He became a part of the Hall of Fame for College Baseball because of his performance with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Mike Ditka was also one of the football coaches who earned a nickname. He was called as the Iron Mike back in his professional playing years. This was because He led the Chicago Bears to win their Super Bowl Title in 1986.

Earl Louis Lambeau, head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1921-49, was called Curly. If you ask why he was called such, well all you have to do is look at is photo. He had a stadium named after him and it is called Lambeau Stadium. This is the home field of the Green Bay Packers.

Steve Superior, head coach of University of South Carolina Football team, was also called as “The Ol’ Ball Coach”. This was the nickname he incurred in his coaching years and it is like a slang of the other one which is “The Head Ball Coach”. He led the University of Florida in to winning Championships Titles from SEC and the Nationals. He also won the Heisman Award back in 1996.

If we have the Bear, we also have the Papa Bear in Football. He is no other than George Halas, Sr.. He was also called as the Mr. Everything. He took hold of the Chicago Cubs in 1921 were he practically became everything, a player, administrator and owner of the team. He even coached them even when he was playing. No wonder this guy is called Mr. Everything! He managed to help the team win six championship titles. This guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Nicknames for coaches apply from amateur teams like Alabama Crimson Tide to professional teams like Chicago Cubs. Not many players or coaches have nicknames that they can go by with. Sometimes, it only comes for those who have made memorable moments, performed well and made a big impact for the NFL.

Meranda Smith is a huge sports fan. She loves to shop Texas Coaches belts, Florida concho belt, Clemson Tigers Belt, LSU Belt, Auburn Coaches Belts, Houston Belt, Kansas Belt, Kentucky Belt and a Colorado Lamp

People have different traditions. Out of the many things that are unexpected in a day, these are things or events that people look forward to in a year. People never forget it because it is a practice done for years. These traditions stir people and contribute to one of the most memorable moments in their life. It is a chance to have fun. It is as if out of the normal things done in their everyday life, they get to do away with it to make the day extra especial because of this traditions.

For example, Christmas always happen on the 25th day of December. Traditionally, we put up Christmas trees and beautifully wrapped presents for the family (normally opened in the morning). Bountiful meals are prepared for the family to gather them together and celebrate the Holidays. Kids also enjoy Halloween. Part of the tradition is the trick or treating. Kids get a chance to collect bags of goodies simply by wearing a costume and by knocking on the doors of your neighbors. The 4th of July will never be complete without fireworks and cookouts. This time of the year, people leave their work and spend time at a local park with family and friends to celebrate together Independence Day. We have so many traditions that run in different cultures and mind you, there are traditions in sports, particularly in football.

College football teams like Auburn Tigers have a unique tradition. One of it is the Tiger Walk. If you ask if there are real tigers walking in this occasion, no there will be none. It is only fans and supporters waiting to greet their home team while they parade, 2 hours before the game, on their way to the football stadium. Fans stay in the Donahue Avenue where they wait to see their favorite team pass by.

Other top traditions in football are not only about events but it is something that we commonly see during the games. Without them, it would not feel like football at all. In every game, there are the cheerleaders who perform stunts to liven the spirit of the team and the crowd. Cheering and songs are always part of the football theme. There are also mascots running around with the pep squad. They are usually representation of the name of the team. Football will never be one without the marching bands. They add to the deafening sound of the stadium but they make the people go wild. There will also be no football when there are no fans. They are essential part of any game because they either lift or dump the spirits of the team. Without them, the sport just becomes very dull.

All of these are important factors in establishing the spirit of football. Auburn Tigers may have a unique tradition that other teams try to copy, but without the others, football is not complete. Other sports may have different rituals before the game. They may do away with the stadium but essentially the people makes the game more interesting.

Johnny Jenkins is a huge fan of college football he loves to shop for BYU Blankets, Arkansas Belt, Army Belt, Cal Belt or a Central Florida Belt

Football season is one of the most awaited times of the year. It is not just an ordinary sport that you can watch when you are bored. It entails many things associated to living. You have action, drama and thriller. You will never know what will happen to the game because everything is unpredictable.

That is why any football championship game is just as good as the Super Bowl. College football players are as popular as the pros. They have the raw material of making the best of the best. This is one of the main reasons; college football games give the same caliber of entertainment as the professionals do. It is no doubt that if fans go wild with Super Bowls or Conference Titles, they too will do the same for college football championships.

Therefore, what do you expect in every football championship game? Well first, expect that many people will come and watch the game. The stadium will be divided into two houses. Colors representing both teams fill the stadium. Most of the time, fans of the same team, wear college shirts or anything that have the color of their school. Therefore, when the championship match is between Michigan Wolverines versus Penn State Nitany Lions, expect that half of the stadium will be dominated with blue and white and half of it is colored yellow and blue.

Expect the many traditions of football will happen. Therefore, if the game takes time to happen, that is because some teams have to do Ceremonies or parades around the town before the game starts. Cheerleaders will have to do their routine and stunts; national anthem sung aloud in front of the proud Americans; and the introduction of the football teams as they run across the field. This is quite typical in any opening of a football game.

Know that in every game, you can feel all types of emotions. You can share the disappointments of the team. You can feel violated if there will be unfair decisions of the referees. You might even be the first one to bicker on the seats. If the players feel the rush, as they get closer to the end zone, you will also be on your toes. Expect that you will feel released as you express your feelings of excitement on the game.

Football is also a good excuse to chomp on those wieners. Yes, this is a good excuse to hold back on your diet and eat those delicious hotdogs on buns drizzled with mustard, ketchup or mayonnaise. The smell of hotdog on stands can be very good in games like this. For 12 minutes of a heart-pumping game, you will definitely not resist the goodness of All-American snacks.

Lastly, you will also enjoy the post-match parties. If your favorite team is the Penn State Nitany Lions, expect that there will be tailgating and celebrations. Therefore, get a chance to party out with your friends to celebrate the win of your home team. This wraps up a day of the fun and excitement in a college football Championship.

Jay Jacobson is a huge fan of college football. He loves shopping for Air Force Belts or an Akron Watch, Albany State Belt, Arizona State Belt or an Arkansas State Belt

USC Trojans  perfect season in 2008 was marred only by a 27-21 defeat at Oregon State in the third game of the season. 10 consecutive victories followed, including three shutouts at Arizona State, Washington State and at home to Washington. USC finished the season in the best possible way, beating Notre Dame 38-3 in the rivalry match, winning the Victory Bell from UCLA with a 28-7 scoreline before winning the Rose Bowl against 6^th ranked Penn State with a 38-24 victory. The Trojans are fancied to have another strong season which they start on September 5^th against San Jose State before travelling to Ohio State and Washington. The Trojans have a lot of expectation to live up to and despite NFL draft losses, the quality of the program should see them challenge for the honors again.

Posting a winning season for the last four years, the Oregon Ducks  had a good season in 2008. Finishing second in the conference just behind USC with a 10-3 record, the Ducks only lost to Boise State at home and USC and California on the road. A strong 4-0 winning streak till the end of the season also saw them claim the Holiday Bowl with a 42-31 victory against 13^th-ranked Oklahoma State. In March, Mike Bellotti handed over the coaching reigns to Chip Kelly while Bellotti was promoted to athletic director. Kelly, with a strong offense background will look to ensure the Ducks continue to lead Pac-10 in scoring and maintain their fantastic post-season record.

California Golden Bears  lost almost all of their offensive line due to graduation and the NFL draft prior to the 2008 season and expectations were not high. The team started with promising wins against Michigan State and at Washington State. But the 66-3 win in Pullman, WA was to be their last road success of the season as they went down to Maryland, Arizona, USC and Oregon. Despite winning every home match, including wins against UCLA and a 48-7 triumph against Washington, the Bears finished the regular season 8-4 before taking on the Miami Hurricanes in the Emerald Bowl and triumphing 24-17 making it the team’s fourth Bowl win in as many years and their fifth win in the last six years under Jeff Tedford. The Bears kick off the 2009 season with home matches against Maryland and Eastern Washington and are currently ranked 11^th in the Athlon preseason poll. The Bears are predicted to challenge USC in the Pac-10 this season as running back Jahvid Best is considered one of the best in the country.

After winning the Conference title in 2007 posting a 10-3 winning season, more was expected from the Arizona State Sun Devils  last season. Home wins against Northern Arizona and Stanford seemed to point the Devils in the right direction, but what followed was not a mark of a conference winning side. Six consecutive losses, including a 0-28 shutout by USC, meant that Arizona State went without a win from September 6^th to November 8^th. They snapped the streak with a 39-19 victory at Washington before thumping Washington State 31-0, posting their first shutout for 12 years. A defeat to Arizona in the Territorial Cup meant that the Sun Devils didn’t make a Bowl game for the first time since 2003 after five consecutive appearances. The Devils will kick off the 2009 season with matches against Idaho State and Louisiana - Monroe.

The Arizona Wildcats  got off to a great start in 2008 with a 70-0 hammering of Idaho and a 41-16 win against Toledo. Bouncing back from a loss to New Mexico, the Cats posted victories at UCLA and against Washington at Tucson.  Defeats to Stanford and USC were disappointing but Arizona still managed to make the post-season and competed in their first Bowl contest in 10 years. They defeated Brigham Young University Cougars 31-21 to clinch the program’s sixth Bowl win. Junior Center Colin Baxter has been chosen to the 2009 Rimington Watch List and is expected to hold the offense together with seniors Mike Diaz and Adam Grant. The team has a mix of experience and youth and it will be interesting to see if the Wildcats will be able to go to a second successive postseason.

Steve Fairchild, in his first year as the Colorado State Rams  coach was able to turn the fortunes of the program that started to struggle under legendary Sonny Lubick. Despite not stringing a proper winning streak until the end of the season, the Rams posted a 7-6 winning season and finishing fourth in Mountain West. After four defeats in five mid-season with losses to TCU, Utah, BYU and Air Force, it didn’t seem that the post season appearance is likely but wins against New Mexico and Wyoming led to an invitation to the New Mexico Bowl on December in which the Rams defeated Fresno State 40-35.