Rippee Writes: Wednesday Scoop
Coaching staff shakeup, Magnolia State Golf Update and one last Korn Ferry story
Happy Wednesday. We have a new podcast out talking all things smoked and grilled meats with Greg. Check it out here or anywhere you get your podcasts. We’ve got a lot to dive into today, from a coaching staff shakeup to some golf.
Let’s go.
Randy Clements fired
Ole Miss parted ways with offensive line coach Randy Clements on Tuesday. It’s incredibly odd timing, and given this program’s recent history over the last decade, I think everyone’s mind immediately drifted toward scandals such as NOAs, Tampa massage parlors or burner phones. I went there, too. There’s no shame in it. I am not a reporter anymore, but everyone tasked with covering this story for a living seems to insist it was strictly a football-related decision. There are a lot of things that go on behind closed doors that fans are not privy to, especially in collegiate athletics. The way these programs keep things close to the vest and operate in secrecy is almost cult-like. I am not saying that’s the case here, I am merely pointing out it could have been a number of different football/relationship-based things that led to the move, even with the odd timing. Lane Kiffin is a different cat, if you have not noticed by now. Perhaps he re-evaluated where things sat and decided to make a change. Yes, it’s odd given the team returns four of five starters and was decent last year, but it is certainly plausible this is the reason for the firing.
When Clements arrived at Ole Miss, he had much closer ties to Jeff Lebby than he did Lane Kiffin. How that dynamic shook out with regard to this firing is something to monitor. Given the timing, you’d have to think Kiffin already has a replacement in mind and is likely close to pulling the trigger. If he doesn’t, then that is even more of a head-scratcher. Anyway, that is all I have to opine on with regard to the situation. I would refer you to Rebel Grove or The Ole Miss Spirit for hard news and sourcing regarding it. They’re great at their jobs. I am now just some marketing shill with a newsletter.
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The NCAA extended Mark Emmert through 2025
Classic PR maneuvering by an entity that has proven time and time again they do not give one iota of a damn about bad PR. Buried in a wide-ranging press release, the NCAA announced it had extended its fearless leader Mark Emmert through 2025. This is a tailormade story to spawn collective internet outrage over something that isn’t really that shocking. Although, it clearly came as a surprise to some.
Emmert makes a ton of money to be the punching bag for the organization’s critics and the face of a governing body that does not care if you know it is corrupt and inept. There are worse gigs out there. Just google his salary. This story didn’t really move the needle for me, but it sure as hell sparked takes from many. Congrats to Mark Emmert on staying rich, I guess. I just hope his days are numbered, as well as the organization as we know it.
A final note from my Korn Ferry experience
I feel like this tour should be paying me for this consistent coverage at this point, but I suppose I will tackle that topic for another day. I forgot to share this story earlier in the week. Maybe it is interesting, maybe it is not.
I was following Hayden Buckley’s group on Saturday. After about 12 holes on the hilliest part of the golf course, I decided I’d reward myself for a beer for such an incredible athletic feat. I might ponder conquering Mt. Everest next. We will see. As I was sipping this IPA by the 16th green with the group of three-putting out, someone named Wade Binfield and his caddie walked by me as they went to the next tee. The caddie stopped in his tracks, stared at me for a moment, and says “Cold beer? That is what I like to see,” and flipped me the Pro V1 his man just missed a four-footer with.
I look pretty young, but I am 26. I’ve got to be the oldest person ever he’s given a golf ball to as a souvenir thinking it made my whole experience along with cracker jacks and rooting for the home team. Maybe he was so fed up with walking the hills too and couldn’t wait for a cold one himself after finishing the final two holes. It was before noon, I might add. Maybe he was wondering how this 16-year-old managed to steal a beer from the concession stand and was rewarding me for being such a rebel.
I was pretty surprised by the encounter and didn’t even get a word out, just a head nod of approval. But the thought was nice. I still have no clue who Wade Binfield is, but his fan club now has a population of at least one thanks to his looper.
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Magnolia State Golf Update;
Speaking of, let’s see what’s going on this week.
The PGA Tour is in Tampa this week at the Valspar. No Mississippians in the field, but say it with me like we always do: this time next year there will be a few.
The Korn Ferry Tour is in Huntsville Alabama. The usual quintet of Mississippians is teeing it up as they wade through a grueling nine-week stretch on the road.
Brandon Native and Ole Miss alum Jonthan Randolph tees off at 6:35 a.m. tomorrow and 11:50 on Friday. Randolph fired a Thursday 7-under 64 last week and was just two off the lead after a day. He ended up missing the cut with an over-par round on Friday. Tough sledding. He’s at 103rd in the standings and needs a good summer. The top 25 get Tour cards and the next 50 behind them qualify for the Korn Ferry Finals that award an additional 25 cards at its culmination. Here’s to hoping he gets inside the top 75 to at least have a crack at the latter.
Tupelo native and Mizzou alum Hayden Buckley tees off at 12:11 p.m. tomorrow and 6:56 on Friday morning. Buckley finished t-46 last week in Arlington and is 34th in the standings. He’s slipped a few spots since his February win in Florida, but made his first cut in a month last week and is a high finish away from really being the driver’s seat for a Tour card.
Hattiesburg native and Alabama alum Davis Riley tees off at 7:27 tomorrow morning and 12:42 on Friday. Riley missed the cut last week, but he’s 5th in the standings and just kind of cashing checks until his Tour card arrives for next season. He is a COVID wraparound season casualty and just kinda stuck in no man’s land.
Tupelo native and Mississippi State alum Chad Ramey tees off at 7:38 tomorrow morning and 12:53 on Friday afternoon. I am pretty sure Ramey couldn’t legally drink the last time he missed a cut. The guy is a machine. He had a top 30 finish last week and is eighth in the standings. Well on his way to earning PGA Tour status.
Ole Miss alum Braden Thornberry tees off at 8:09 tomorrow morning and 1:24 on Friday. He missed the cut last week and is 48th in the standings, a decent position heading into the heart of the season.
Jackson Academy won its state championship yesterday with Jackson Prep finishing second. I am sure this is all Eastover was buzzing about for the last three days, with the navy and silver prevailing in the end. In all seriousness, congrats to both. There were some low scores that made me realize why we did not win when I was there. Stong playing by both.
State Champions! Congratulations to the Jackson Academy Golf team on winning today's MAIS 5A State Championships at Canebrake Country Club in Hattiesburg! Seventh grader John Markow took home the Individual State Title, and everyone took home some winners' hardware. #WeAreJA
Seventh-grader John Markow won the individual state title for the Raiders with a 71. His teammate. That’s one hell of an accomplishment, particularly at that age. Conner Gee also fired a 71. That is hard to beat. Great playing and congrats on an awesome year.
On the Horizon
NFL draft stuff in tomorrow’s newsletter and a South Carolina scouting report on Friday
Mailbag Friday podcast with Collin and a preview of this baseball series
Whatever else pops up.
That’s all from me today. Thanks for being a loyal subscriber. Pass along to your friends and tell them to mash the button below for free meats and fun. Feedback always welcome, talk soon.
