Dave Aranda spurns A&M overtures, stays at LSU

By John TaylorJan 3, 2018, 10:35 PM EST

For the second time, LSU has dodged a Texas-sized bullet aimed at their defensive boss.

Throughout the week, speculation had been running rampant that Texas A&M was making another run at Dave Aranda. In fact, the chatter had A&M prepared to offer the LSU defensive coordinator in the neighborhood of $2 million — or more — to take the same job on Jimbo Fisher‘s first staff.

Those overtures, however, have failed as this report…

News: #LSU DC Dave Aranda is remaining with Tigers, spurning Texas A&M again, multiple sources tell @theadvocatebr

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 4, 2018

… was subsequently confirmed by Aranda’s boss.

I’m very happy to report Dave Aranda has agreed to be with our program for years to come. Thanks to Joe Alleva, Dr. Alexander and the board of supervisors for their support in making this happen. Geaux Tigers.

— Coach Ed Orgeron (@Coach_EdOrgeron) January 4, 2018

A&M first approached Aranda prior to LSU playing in the Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame this past Monday, but was rebuffed. The SEC West school mounted another attempted raid of its divisional foe again this week that proved unsuccessful.

Aranda just completed his second season with the Tigers. It’s believed that LSU will pay him in the neighborhood of $2.5 million over four years — all guaranteed — to remain with the football program. If that’s the case — and it’s easy to see as he was already the highest-paid coordinator in the sport at $1.8 million — he would be the first assistant to reach and then blow past the $2 million mark.

Dave Aranda received a 4-year contract at $2.5 million annually to remain LSU's defensive coordinator, according to a source. All guaranteed. Just a monster deal for the nation's highest-paid assistant coach. https://t.co/eO4O4UbqVA

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 4, 2018

To put that figure into perspective, 66 FBS head coaches made $2 million or less in 2017 according to the USA Today salary database. That includes Power Five head coaches from Indiana, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Kansas, Cal and Ole Miss. Another 10, including Oklahoma, Maryland and Missouri, paid their head coaches less than $2.5 million last season.

The Tigers finished 16th in scoring defense (18.8 points per game) this season after finishing 2016, Aranda’s first, sixth (16.4 ppg).

Utah State player upgraded to fair condition after collapse

Associated PressMar 25, 2023, 1:50 AM EDT

Stephen Lew/Getty Images

Utah State redshirt freshman wide receiver Josh Davis is in fair condition on Friday, one day after collapsing at spring football practice following sudden cardiac arrest, the university announced.

Davis, initially was listed in critical condition, was breathing on his own. He is in the intensive-care unit at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah.

Davis’ parents arrived in Utah on Thursday evening.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Davis, who is from Carlsbad, California, collapsed at Merlin Olsen Field and was immediately treated by the training staff, the university said. He was taken to Logan Regional Hospital.

The university said Davis was stabilized in the Logan hospital before being moved to Ogden.

Alabama suspends freshman defensive back after drug arrest

Associated PressMar 20, 2023, 10:32 PM EDT

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell has been suspended from the team following his arrest on a drug charge.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday after the first practice of spring that Mitchell was suspended from the team “and all team activities until we gather more information about the situation and what his legal circumstance is.”

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mitchell and another man, Christophere Lewis, last week on a charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or deliver, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. Lewis also was charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit.

“Everybody’s got an opportunity to make choices and decisions,” Saban said. “There’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You’ve gotta be responsible for who you’re with, who you’re around and what you do, who you associate yourself with and the situations that you put yourself in. It is what it is, but there is cause and effect when you make choices and decisions that put you in bad situations.”

Mitchell, who is from Alabaster, Alabama, was a five-star prospect rated the 34th-best player and No. 3 safety in the 247Composite rankings.

Mitchell was driving the vehicle during a traffic stop. After deputies smelled marijuana, Mitchell picked up a baggie of marijuana from the passenger floorboard, according to the department’s Facebook post.

Sheriff’s deputies found “an additional significant amount of marijuana, a set of scales, a loaded handgun between the passenger seat and center console, and a large amount of cash,” according to the department’s Facebook post.