Colleges

USF interviews DB coach candidate

By Times staff writer, Times wires
Published March 18, 2006

Troy Douglas, the defensive backs coach at Indiana for the past two seasons, interviewed with Jim Leavitt on Friday for the same position on University of South Florida's staff.

Douglas, 40, is a Jacksonville native who has recruited the state of Florida while at several schools, including Southern Methodist University (1997-00), Michigan State (2001-02) and South Carolina State (2003).

While at South Carolina State, he worked with the nation's No. 1-ranked pass-efficiency defense.

He also served as Indiana's recruiting coordinator last year but his contract was not renewed by coach Terry Hoeppner.

As a player, he was a four-year starter as a receiver at Appalachian State (N.C.) from 1983-86.

Leavitt is seeking a replacement for Rick Kravitz, who left last month for North Carolina State.

The Bulls open four weeks of spring practice Tuesday.

- GREG AUMAN, Times staff writer

MORE FOOTBALL: Freshman tailback Russell Ball had a 43-yard touchdown run and quarterback Drew Weatherford was a perfect 9-for-9 as Florida State held its first spring practice in full pads. Defensive tackle Kendrick Stewart had a pair of sacks and a tackle for loss. The next practice is Monday.

VOLS MASCOT DIES: Smokey VIII, the bluetick coonhound mascot with the most victories in Tennessee football history, died from complications from high blood pressure and kidney disease, university officials said. Still a pup when he started, Smokey VIII worked Volunteers games for eight seasons from 1995 through 2003, making his final appearance at the 2004 Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The Vols compiled a 91-22 record, claimed two Southeastern Conference titles and won the 1998 national championship during his tenure. Tennessee's line of Smokeys began in 1953 and is currently represented by Smokey IX.

BASEBALL: Gavin Dickey had two hits and three RBIs in Florida's 6-3 win over Arkansas in Gainesville. Florida's David Cash hit two doubles, and Matt Gaski and Adam Davis each had one hit and one RBI. Florida improved to 16-6. Arkansas fell to 16-2.

SOFTBALL: University of South Florida split games in the first day of the Speedline Invitational, winning 12-2 against George Mason and losing to Purdue, 5-0, at the Greco Softball Complex. In the opener, Tiffany Stewart, who scored the Bulls' (19-15) eventual game-winning run in the first, hit a grand slam in the third. Danielle Urbanik (2-0) earned the win for USF. George Mason remains winless in 21 games. A fielding error by USF gave Purdue (17-14) all the runs it needed in the second game. USF concludes pool play against Ohio today at 11 a.m.

TENNIS: Fredy Barton, Marc Jaeger and Mark Gattiker each claimed a three-set win in singles for USF to lead the Bulls (3-6) to a 5-2 win over Wisconsin (8-5). ... The University of Tampa women's tennis team fell 5-4 to No. 25 Indianapolis, ending the Spartans' (4-8) four-match winning streak.

WRESTLING: Defending NCAA champions Jake Rosholt and Steve Mocco won key quarterfinals to help Oklahoma State near a fourth straight NCAA wrestling title. Rosholt, a two-time NCAA champion, beat Oklahoma's Joel Flaggert 4-0. Mocco scored a 9-3 victory against Oklahoma's Jacob Hager as the Cowboys built a 281/2-point lead in Oklahoma City.

[Last modified March 18, 2006, 02:30:29]