Lane Kiffin

Disappointed Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton doesn't have time to waste replacing Lane Kiffin , whose abrupt resignation to join USC has left the Vols scrambling. The AD said he'd like to have someone in place before Sunday, when coaches can begin live recruiting again. Interim coach Kippy Brown , a candidate for the position, is proceeding with plans made by Kiffin to host top prospects on campus this weekend. Among other potential candidates are Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp , Duke coach and former Vols coordinator David Cutcliffe and East Carolina coach Skip Holtz . One person Hamilton said he is not pursuing is Phillip Fulmer , the longtime coach he fired in the middle of the 2008 season.

There were only three head coaching changes this year, tied for the fewest this decade. That's not surprising, considering there were 11 such swaps last year, the most in the 2000s. 2010: Three Pete Carroll, Seahawks Chan Gailey, Bills Mike Shanahan, Redskins 2009: Eleven Tom Cable, Raiders Jim Caldwell, Colts Todd Haley, Chiefs Eric Mangini, Browns Josh McDaniels, Broncos Jim Mora, Seahawks Raheem Morris, Bucs Rex Ryan, Jets Jim Schwartz, Lions Mike Singletary, 49ers Steve Spagnuolo, Rams 2008: Four John Harbaugh, Ravens Mike Smith, Falcons Tony Sparano, Dolphins Jim Zorn, Redskins 2007: Seven Cam Cameron, Dolphins Lane Kiffin, Raiders Bobby Petrino, Falcons Wade Phillips, Cowboys Mike Tomlin, Steelers Norv Turner, Chargers Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals 2006: Ten Brad Childress, Vikings Herm Edwards, Chiefs Dick Jauron, Bills Gary Kubiak, Texans Scott Linehan, Rams Eric Mangini, Jets Rod Marinelli, Lions Mike McCarthy, Packers Sean Payton, Saints Art Shell, Raiders 2005: Three Romeo Crennel, Browns Mike Nolan, 49ers Nick Saban, Dolphins — interim at end of previous season; officially named head coach in offseason

College football's winningest program just took another hit off the field. The University of Michigan released embarrassing details of an internal audit Monday that discovered Rich Rodriguez's team failed to file forms tracking how much time players spent on football during the 2008 season and the following offseason. The NCAA and the school are investigating the program about similar issues. Rodriguez has said he and his coaches know and follow NCAA rules. The Detroit Free Press, citing anonymous football players, reported in August that Michigan was exceeding NCAA limits regarding practices and workouts.

Send waves to Alabama Mike Bianchi Orlando Sentinel If I were king of the NCAA, I would not only saturate Alabama with investigators, I would set up a branch office in Tuscaloosa. In Alabama, cheating is as much a part of the football lore as the houndstooth hat worn by Bear Bryant. Alabama has seen it all over the last 20 years. Shady loans. Athletes illicitly accepting cash payments from agents and boosters. Multiple probations. Postseason bans.

It's hard to argue that the St. Louis Rams (0-4) can possibly fare any worse under interim coach Jim Haslett than under the fired Scott Linehan, but, on the other hand, will it do any good? Probably not. Pro football is the most coach-influenced of all the major sports, but it's not just about game day or even the walk-up to it. NFL teams are a reflection of the coach because of hours of offseason practice, the tone struck in classrooms and carefully crafted playbooks. Simply promoting a coordinator (Haslett was the Rams' defensive coordinator)

So many candidates, so little space. Tom turkeys Isiah Thomas, the Dallas Cowboys' Adam Jones and Bud Selig made my short list, but only one man belonged at the top of the pecking order: Al Davis, the four-bald-tires-on-ice owner of the hapless Oakland Raiders. Out of control and with no traction, Davis has gone from being the force that drove the Raiders to three Super Bowl victories and NFL honchos to distraction to being a laughingstock incapable of doing anything but running his mouth.

The Ravens seem to be following the trend of last year's coaching searches, focusing on offensive-minded coaches. If the Ravens continue that route, they can only hope they will be more successful. Last offseason, five of the seven teams that hired new coaches went with ones with offensive backgrounds. Only one (the San Diego Chargers' Norv Turner) had a winning season. Since firing Brian Billick on Monday, the emphasis of the Ravens' coaching hunt has been on offense. Besides Rex Ryan and Bill Cowher, the most popular names linked to the Ravens' opening are offensive-minded coaches.

Moves Baseball ASTROS: Agreed to two-year, $16.9 million contract with P Roy Oswalt, avoiding salary arbitration. Signed former Orioles OF Trenidad Hubbard to minor league contract; invited him to major league camp. PHILLIES: Agreed to one-year, $825,000 contract with OF Jason Michaels. Basketball NBA: Fined Celtics C Kendrick Perkins $15,000 for flagrant foul against Bucks F-G Desmond Mason in game Tuesday. ... Suspended Kings C Brad Miller one game for throwing headband and wristbands and yelling at officials after they did not call goaltending on last-second shot Tuesday.

Acknowledging he was "a little shocked" that the San Diego Chargers passed him over for their head coaching position, Rex Ryan will remain the Ravens' defensive coordinator next season. The Chargers hired Norv Turner yesterday, although Ryan reportedly was a serious candidate for the job. "Sure I'm disappointed," Ryan told The Sun less than an hour after news broke about Turner. "But I would be disappointed if the Ravens made a Super Bowl run and I wasn't a part of it. We have some unfinished business here."

1. Patriots Impending snowstorm might be only obstacle to the Patriots beating the spread. 2. Cowboys Can clinch home-field advantage in playoffs with win and a Packers loss. 3. Colts Could become first NFL team in history to win 12 games in five straight seasons. 4. Packers Can earn first-round bye with win against Rams and a Seahawks loss or tie. 5. Steelers A win against Jaguars would give team fifth 8-0 record at home. 6. Jaguars Can clinch playoff spot with win and a Titans loss or tie. 7. Seahawks Franchise has captured the past four NFC West division titles.