FIU Panthers Prowl

Housecleaning

Replacing running backs coach Apollo Wright, who went to the New Mexico staff, comes Andrew Hayes-Stoker from the Chciago Bears staff. Hayes-Stoker worked as a wide receivers assistant for three seasons after four seasons in football operations.

Louisville Trinity quarterback Travis Wright signed his letter of intent, so he's officially signee No. 19 in the 2013 class.

 

The Departed: Cristobal and Cyprien; Coley Player of the Week (again)

Well, that was a busy hour.

After my cell phone battery drained waiting to ask NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock about what safety Johnathan Cyprien has done to move up his draft board to the No. 3 safety, I saw I had a text message from a source that former FIU coach Mario Cristobal was bouncing from his still-new University of Miami job to Nick Saban's Alabama staff to be offensive line coach.

I know Cristobal considered it a tough decision as he pondered late last week whether or not to make this move. Not so much on football and resources, obviously, but leaving South Florida for Tuscaloosa.

As for Cyprien, Mayock said he's part of the deepest draft for safeties in the last three or four years and thought he made great sense for Washington to draft.

"He could start immediately for the Washington Redskins," Mayock said. "He can play both (free and strong safety) but I like him at free."

And Washington's probably got a broader mind toward Sun Belt talent than most organizations. They have to deal with Dallas' DeMarcus Ware (Troy) twice a year and just got a sixth-round steal in FAU running back Alfred Morris.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Junior guard Jerica Coley put in 63 points in wins over Troy and Western Kentucky, shot 54.8 percent from the field in doing so, pulled in 14 rebounds and added six -- assists, steals and blocks, each. So the Sun Belt named her Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.