Kansas transfer RB Khalil Herbert moves on to Virginia Tech

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Kansas’ loss has proven to be Virginia Tech’s gain.

On his personal Twitter account Monday evening, Khalil Herbert announced that he will be transferring to Virginia Tech and continuing his collegiate playing career with the Hokies. Herbert’s decision came on the heels of a visit to the Tech campus this past weekend.

As the running back comes to Blacksburg as a graduate transfer, he’ll be eligible to play immediately in 2020.

In late September, Herbert left the Kansas football team for unspecified personal reasons, with head coach Les Miles stating at the time that he didn’t expect the running back to return anytime soon.  In a statement two days later, Miles wished Herbert and his family the best, saying that “Khalil is no longer a member of our football program and will not participate in any football activities.”

On his personal Twitter account a short time later, Herbert claimed that a misinterpretation was the reason he no longer was with the team.  According to Herbert, he wanted to take advantage of the redshirt rule that allows players to play in four or fewer games in a season without losing a year of eligibility, then return to the Jayhawks in 2020.  The way the tweet read, Miles and the football program were under the impression he was going to transfer, leading to a parting of ways that Herbert never wanted.

“Redshirting had many unforeseen consequences that my family and I did not know would result from this decision,” Herbert wrote. “Although things did not work out the way either side intended, I want you to know my intention was not to hurt the university, Jayhawk Nation, or my teammates.”

Despite not playing the last two months of the season, Herbert still finished second on the Jayhawks with 384 yards rushing.  He was tied for second on the team with two rushing touchdowns, and averaged a whopping 8.9 yards per on his 43 carries.

During his time in Lawrence, Herbert ran for 1,735 yards and 14 touchdowns on 320 carries.

Former Navy coach Niumatalolo joins UCLA staff

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LOS ANGELES – Former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is joining UCLA’s coaching staff as director of leadership.

The school said in an announcement Friday that Niumatalolo will serve as an advisor to the Bruins’ football staff and players.

Niumatalolo led Navy for 15 years and was the winningest coach in school history at 109-83. The Midshipmen, however, finished with losing records the past three seasons, including 4-8 the past two.

Navy played in 10 bowl games under Niumatalolo. He also was the only coach to win his first eight games in the storied Army-Navy rivalry.

Troy, Jon Sumrall agree to new 4-year contract through 2026

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Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports
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TROY, Ala. ⁠— Jon Sumrall agreed to a new four-year contract as Troy’s coach after leading the Trojans to a Sun Belt Conference championship and national ranking in his debut season.

The school announced the deal, which runs through 2026, but didn’t release details.

The Trojans went 12-2 and won their final 11 games, second only to national champion Georgia, including the league championship game and the Cure Bowl against UTSA. For the first time, they finished a season ranked, ending up 19th in The Associated Press Top 25.

“When we appointed Coach Sumrall in December 2021, we challenged him to return Troy football to the top of the Sun Belt Conference,” Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. said. “It didn’t take long, as the 2022 season was the best in our FBS history.”

Troy held all 14 of its opponents to under their season average in scoring, beating UTSA 18-12. The Trojans beat Coastal Carolina 45-26 in the Sun Belt title game.

“Last year was an amazing accomplishment for everyone associated with Troy football and was the product of relentless effort from our players and staff, athletic administration and university leaders,” Sumrall said.