JACKSON, Miss. - Former Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill threatened the NCAA with legal action if any allegation made against him turns out to be false.
The NCAA report, released Monday by the school, details alleged rules violations made by Mississippi State from 1998-2002 involving improper offers and inducements to prospective players and families. Many involve assistant Glenn Davis and former assistant Jerry Fremin.
Sherrill is mentioned in two of the 13 allegations, including offering to provide a car for a player.
"My attorney has put (NCAA) on notice that when you send out stuff that is false in the official inquiry, then you should be held liable and accountable," he said.
Also, Tennessee running backs coach Woody McCorvey was hired as offensive coordinator.
Northern Illinois unhappy
CHICAGO - As the final bowl pairings emerged, Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak held out a sliver of hope his team would somehow find a bowl game.
But even with a 10-2 record, victories against Alabama, Iowa State and No. 23 Maryland and rising to as high as No. 12, Northern Illinois' season is over.
The Huskies lost MAC games to Bowling Green and Toledo. Only two MAC teams are guaranteed bowl slots. Those went to Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green.
"There is no doubt in my mind that we have one of the best 56 teams in the country," Novak said. "I don't think a .500 team should get in over a team that won 10 games. Are you telling me they had a better season than us? Baloney."
PRICE LAWSUIT: Sports Illustrated and one of its writers must divulge previously confidential sources for an article that led to Alabama's firing of coach Mike Price, U.S. District Judge Lynwood Smith ruled in Birmingham. Price sued Time, which publishes Sports Illustrated, and writer Don Yaeger for $20-million, alleging he was libeled and slandered.
NAGURSKI TROPHY: Oklahoma cornerback Derrick Strait was named defensive player of the year. He led the Big 12 with four fumble recoveries and had 12 pass breakups and three interceptions.
BYU: Robbie Bosco, who led the Cougars to a national title in 1984, was moved from quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator to a fundraising job. BYU was 109th at 16.3 points per game.
HAWAII: Coach June Jones will pull his team from the Hawaii Bowl if the school can't academically certify players before the Dec. 25 game. WAC rules say players must pass six credit hours in the semester before a bowl game. Hawaii certified no one last year, saying it didn't have enough time, and quarterback Timmy Chang was found to be ineligible.
MICHIGAN: Receiver Braylon Edwards is considering skipping his senior season but said it's "80 percent" likely he will stay.
NORTH CAROLINA: Dave Huxtable will move from defensive coordinator to linebackers coach. The Tar Heels allowed 505.2 yards per game, 116th among 117 Division I-A teams, and 38.2 points, 113th.
USF: Running back DeJuan Green will play in the Blue-Gray Classic, joining teammates Huey Whittaker and Maurice Jones.
- Times staff writer Pete Young contributed to this report.
