Tight end Pupello leaving Gators, plans transfer to USF
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 29, 2007
TAMPA - Tight end Trent Pupello, a Jefferson graduate who played sparingly in two games at Florida, is returning home to Tampa and will transfer to USF in January, his father, Joe, said Wednesday.
Pupello, rated as a four-star recruit two years ago by Rivals.com, will sit out the 2008 season and have two years of eligibility remaining. His father said he was transferring because of a "private family matter" and was leaving on amicable terms with Gators coach Urban Meyer.
"Trent has always had a high regard for coach (Jim) Leavitt and the University of South Florida," Pupello said. "He felt like this would be his best move."
Pupello, listed at 6 feet 2 and 276 pounds on UF's official roster, will sign a grant-in-aid with USF on Friday and can practice with the Bulls this spring. He played in a limited role as a redshirt freshman for the Gators in wins against Troy and Florida Atlantic.
UCF HONORS: Central Florida received two Conference USA honors. Running back Kevin Smith and Tulsa quarterback Paul Smith shared the Offensive Player of the Year Award, and George O'Leary, who will coach UCF against Tulsa in Saturday's conference title game, was named coach of the year.
Southern Mississippi linebacker Gerald McRath was defensive player of the year.
Other honors: East Carolina's Chris Johnson (special teams), Houston quarterback Case Keenum (top freshman) and Tulsa wide receiver Brennan Marion (newcomer).
RYAN NAMED ACC'S BEST: Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan was named the ACC's player of the year, getting 50 of 71 first-place votes. Virginia defensive lineman Chris Long got 18 votes, and getting one vote were Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper, Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson and Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice. Long was named defensive player of the year, with 69 first-place votes.
USC WANTS NEW HOME: USC is negotiating with Rose Bowl officials to begin playing home games in Pasadena next year, school administrators said. USC, which has played at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since 1923, would have to share the Rose Bowl with its rival, UCLA, which has a lease through 2023.
BAYLOR: Art Briles, who led Houston to four bowls in his five seasons, was named Bears coach. Briles, who turns 52 Monday, will get a seven-year contract for about $1.8-million per season. Houston named assistant Chris Thurmond the interim coach.
CINCINNATI: The Bearcats accepted an invitation to play Southern Mississippi in the Papajohns.com Bowl on Dec. 22 in Birmingham, Ala.
SYRACUSE: Athletic director Daryl Gross said Greg Robinson will remain as coach in 2008, despite leading the Orange through the worst three-year stretch in its history, including the first two 10-loss seasons. Robinson's teams have gone 1-10, 4-8, and 2-10, and in the losses Syracuse has been outscored by 514 points. Gross sought input from current student-athletes, former players such as Floyd Little and Art Monk, former coach Dick MacPherson, alumni and fans.
Information from Times wires was used in this report.