Warning: this Half Smokes post may lack coherence. However, because Maryland's new University president Wallace D. Loh spoke today, and because athletics are important at Maryland, it makes sense to point out what was said about athletics in his speech.
↵The answer: not much, it appears. According to Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun, Loh said athletics are the "front porch" of the house -- as in they're not the most important thing, but they're visible -- and that he hopes to meet with the finalists for the open athletic director position, even if the committee may select a replacement before he arrives. I'm not sure how that'll work, but I might not be thinking this through.
↵Ralph Friedgen also had some thoughts on Loh, saying he was "a little surprised" he was hired so quickly and adding that he comes from a school (Iowa) that "has a good football tradition." Leave it to ESPN's Heather Dinch to point out the irony in that last statement.
↵↵↵If Iowa is the standard here, Friedgen's in trouble. The only thing he can worry about, though, is winning.
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Say, has anyone mentioned how Friedgen is on the hot seat yet? Only five zillion people? I think we need to spell this out more clearly.
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