| Will SEC reign be a catalyst for change? and Raiders fire Jackson following 8-8 finish |
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NEW ORLEANS -- As the confetti fell, the silver-haired man stood quietly near the foot of the platform, just as he has for so many years, watching the celebration swirl. "It does not get old," said SEC commissioner Mike Slive as another of his teams passed around the crystal football.As always, Slive was speaking for a very large, very passionate regional audience. For almost everyone else, the SEC's continuing dominance certainly does get old -- and that's not the only thing.Alabama's 21-0 win over LSU on Monday night was the league's sixth straight BCS championship. It also might have represented the conclusion of the evolution and reordering of the sport's hierarchy. We knew the score going in, but the all-SEC matchup marked the pinnacle, the complete concentration of power. And perhaps, it was a catalyst for significant change to college football's postseason structure. [Read the full article] The embattled New York Jets offensive coordinator told the team Tuesday that he will not return next season after six years running an offense that often failed to live up to expectations.In a statement released by the team Tuesday night, Schottenheimer said he made the decision "after much thought and consideration." Schottenheimer, the son of former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, was highly criticized for the Jets' inconsistencies on an offensive unit that ranked 25th overall and for quarterback Mark Sanchez not progressing in his third year.The 38-year-old Schottenheimer said in the statement that he was "very proud of what we have accomplished" during his time with the Jets, and thanked coach Rex Ryan and the organization.Former Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano is expected to be at the top of the Jets' wish list to replace Schottenheimer. [Read the full article] JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars targeted Mike Mularkey early in their coaching search.The Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator has a relationship with general manager Gene Smith. He has a son working for the team as a scouting assistant. And maybe most important, he has had recent success mentoring a young quarterback.The Jaguars hired Mularkey on Tuesday night, making him the franchise's third head coach in 18 years and tasking him with turning around the league's worst offense."Everybody was ready for it to be done," tight end Marcedes Lewis said. "For me, personally as an offensive guy, I feel like it's a good hire. We're going to get new schemes, a new offense and a fresh start. [Read the full article] 
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