Wake-up Call: Lane Kiffin, vote now, Shane Mosley, Freddie Roach, Peter Laviolette
First things first: The Times' Chris Dufresne was on the Dan Patrick radio show this morning and talked about ex-USC assistant coach (and fired Raiders coach) Lane Kiffin being hired to replace Phillip Fulmer. "There was a Fulmer fatigue at Tennessee that maybe I didn't understand why it was time for him to go," Dufresne said. " ... The expectations in the SEC are ratcheted up. It's crazyville down there." When asked if Kiffin is an upgrade, he said, "No. It's just a new person. Sometimes you just need a new person. ... But what has Lane Kiffin really done? It's mind-boggling to me, although that hire was more who else really wanted that job. He thought the AFC was tough ... " That prompted Patrick to laugh, of course. Chris didn't have to remind Raiders fans that Kiffin was 5-15 while he was in Oakland. Listen to the entire radio interview.
Vote, Vote, Vote: Don't forget to vote for the No. 2 Sportsperson of the Year (we concede Michael Phelps the No. 1 position). Can Tiger Woods really win this poll after having surgery early this year? Come on, get in your vote today. Balloting closes in roughly 14 hours. Where are Candace Parker's fans? Lorena Ochoa's? Manny Ramirez's?
We're shocked, shocked: The New York Daily News late last night (Pacific time) reported that Pomona boxer Shane Mosley told a grand jury that he injected himself with the doping agent EPO as he prepared for a match against Oscar De La Hoya. The newspaper had reviewed court transcripts and doping calendars that were part of a BALCO file that had been under a protective order until last week. That was when a judge decided to allow prosecutors to share thousands of documents with Barry Bonds' lawyers. The Times' Lance Pugmire got Victor Conte's reaction.
Speaking of boxing: Bill Dwyre's column today profiles a guy who has to be one of the liveliest in all of boxing: Manny Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach. Five members of Roach's family will be ringside Saturday night in Las Vegas when Pacquiao takes on Oscar De La Hoya. Roach's story might have you in his corner too. The Times' Pugmire interviewed Roach last month while visiting Pacquiao's training camp here in L.A. Here's part of that interview.
Too quick with the hook? Peter Laviolette was fired today by the Carolina Hurricanes. This is the same Peter Laviolette who coached the 2006 Olympics hockey team and was at the helm when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup a few months later. Maybe that's what happens when you win the Cup and then can't repeat. (Did someone say Ducks?) The team is 12-11-2 and second in their division and Laviolette last month became the winningest American born coach in NHL history with his 240th victory. It apparently wasn't enough. And the kicker? Laviolette was hired in December of 2003 after Paul Maurice was fired 30 games in to the season. Laviolette's replacement? Paul Maurice. (Did someone say vengeance?)
Add hockey: The Kings sputtered (and lost the game) in the third period last night. Painful to watch. I'll chalk it up to them having to go to Arizona to play hockey. The team is back in town and will play the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. The Ducks are in Chicago tonight. Game is at 5:30 PDT.
-- Debbie Goffa
Photo: Lane Kiffin talks to reporters after being hired at Tennessee. Credit: Wade Payne / Associated Press
