No one in Coral Gables was satisfied with a 7-6 campaign last year. Expectations for Miami are rising after adding star quarterback Cam Ward. The Hurricanes had their first week of spring practices last week. They technically have this week off for spring break. Despite the time off from official activities, several players, if not most, have chosen to remain in South Florida for workouts.

Gaby Urrutia at 247 Sports noted that tight end Elijah Arroyo, running TreVonte’ Citizen and offensive lineman Markel Bell have spent time training at Bommarito’s Performance System, a renowned training center in North Miami.

Other prominent players have been tagged on social media in recent days.

Running back Chris Johnson Jr was spotted putting in work at Miami’s indoor practice facility. Receivers Ray Ray Joseph and Joshisa Trader have been working out together this week.

In what is believed to be a first in Big East Conference tournament history, a head men’s basketball coach was asked his marital status in a postgame news conference. A reporter from The Black Sportz Networkinformed Providence Friars coach Kim English that he was “trending a lot on Black Twitter,” and “girls asked me to ask you” about his marital status. News conference moderator John Paquette, a Big East media relations veteran, told English he was free to pass on the question.

Suitably nonplussed, English responded, “No comment.” His three players next to him on the dais-Devin Carter, Jayden Pierre and Josh Oduro-stifled laughter. Carter was especially amused.

The question was easily laughed off because all the Friars were in a great mood after the No. 7 seed upset No. 2 Creighton 78-73 to reach the tournament semifinals. The victory likely punches an NCAA tournament ticket for Providence in its first year under English, who arrived from George Mason when the successful and popular former coach of the Friars, Ed Cooley, left for Big East rival Georgetown. Providence’s season could have fallen apart when standout forward Bryce Hopkins suffered a season-ending knee injury 14 games into the year. But the Friars regrouped and now stand 21-12 heading into the Friday night semifinals.

MARCH 14 MORE PLAYOFF EXPANSION The new structure for the College Football Playoff has yet to see the field of play, but it seems that the field will soon be expanded once again past its new 12-team format. According to reports from ESPN, talks are now in the “final stages” for the College Football Playoff deal that begins in 2026, opening the door for a 14-team playoff format. “This sets the stage for an expected 14-team playoff to start in the 2026 season, although the deal being agreed to does not specifically set a format other than saying the playoff will be at least 12 teams,” ESPN wrote. “The format will be decided at a later date, per sources.

“The details of what’s expected to be a 14-team field won’t be determined until after the TV deal is done,” the story later stated. The new 12-team format that will begin with the 2024 season will feature five automatic qualifiers (the five highest-ranked conference champions) and seven at-large bids, but the qualifiers for the potential 14-team field are still to be determined. Ole Miss has high hopes of reaching the newly-expanded CFP field this season, holding some of the top betting odds to make the playoff and coming in as a top-10 team in multiple way-too-early top 25 projections.

FEB 26 ALEX FAULK TO NC STATE Ole Miss Rebels staffer Alex Faulk is reportedly joining the staff of the NC State Wolfpack, FootballScoop.com reported on Monday. Faulk was the head of high school and junior college relations at Ole Miss, and his new position is expected to be as NC State’s director of recruiting. FEB 11 A ‘SUPER’ INTRO FOR PATRICK WILLIS Former Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Patrick Willis was recently named to the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, a fraternity that earned some recognition at the Super Bowl on Sunday.

This is a big moment for all the inductees, but it seemed that Willis received the strongest ovation from the group, thanks in large part to his former San Francisco 49ers participating in the game on Sunday.

While in college, Willis accumulated 177 solo tackles and a whopping 265 total tackles alongside six sacks and two forced fumbles. The Ole Miss legend was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019, becoming one of 10 Rebels to be admitted as a player or coach, and was also part of the 2023 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class. Willis led the SEC in tackles twice, was named a consensus All-American his senior year, and was awarded the Conerly Trophy that same season. JAN 28 OLE MISS HIRES NEW TE COACH The Ole Miss Rebels made another addition to their staff on Sunday, as former Alabama Crimson Tide tight end coach Joe Cox is set to take the same position in Oxford, per On3. Cox, a former quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, is the replacement for John David Baker, who departed Ole Miss in December to become the next offensive coordinator for the East Carolina Pirates.