Michigan's new head football coach, Kyle Whittingham, announced significant hires for his coaching staff, bringing in key offensive and defensive coordinators from Big 12 teams. Jason Beck from Utah will serve as the offensive coordinator, while Jay Hill from BYU will be the defensive coordinator. The new hires are part of Whittingham's initial setup for the Michigan football program.
Key Facts
Kyle Whittingham is the new head football coach at Michigan.
He announced almost complete coaching staff during the Citrus Bowl.
Jason Beck from Utah will join Michigan as the offensive coordinator.
Under Beck, Utah was highly ranked in various offensive categories.
Jay Hill from BYU will become Michigan's defensive coordinator.
Hill's BYU team was strong in scoring and total defense rankings.
Other former Utah staff members are also joining Michigan's coaching team.
Ohio State, led by Ryan Day, lost to the Miami Hurricanes and is out of the College Football Playoff for 2026. Following the loss, a top recruit, C.J. Hicks, announced he is transferring to another school. The transfer portal, which allows college athletes to transfer between schools, will open soon.
Key Facts
Ohio State was aiming to defend their national championship but lost to Miami Hurricanes.
This loss means Ohio State will not be in the College Football Playoff for 2026.
C.J. Hicks, a highly-ranked recruit, decided to transfer from Ohio State.
Injuries affected Hicks' performance and development at Ohio State.
Ryan Day, Ohio State's coach, plans to use the transfer portal to strengthen the team.
The transfer portal will officially open on January 2, 2026.
Many college football players use the portal to find new opportunities at other schools.
Derrick Henry, a running back for the Baltimore Ravens, was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after a standout performance against the Green Bay Packers. As the Ravens prepare for a crucial game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they rely on Henry to boost their chances of reaching the playoffs. Henry's performance included 216 yards and four touchdowns, marking his seventh career game with over 200 rushing yards.
Key Facts
Derrick Henry plays as a running back for the Baltimore Ravens.
He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week on December 31.
Henry ran for 216 yards and scored four touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers.
This performance took place on December 27.
The Ravens need to win their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 4 to have a strong chance of making the playoffs.
Henry has set an NFL record with seven games of 200+ rushing yards in his career.
The Ravens are missing quarterback Lamar Jackson due to a back injury.
Henry emphasized teamwork and overcoming adversity in his pre-game speech.
Arch Manning, a quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, had a strong performance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, leading his team to victory. Despite starting the season with high expectations, neither Manning nor Texas was in the College Football Playoff. ESPN's Paul Finebaum predicted that Manning could win the Heisman Trophy next year and be the top pick in the NFL Draft.
Key Facts
Arch Manning plays quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.
Texas was not chosen for the College Football Playoff despite a 9-3 record.
Manning performed well in the Citrus Bowl, winning Most Valuable Player.
He threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns in the bowl game.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum predicted Manning might win the Heisman Trophy next season.
Manning is related to football legends Peyton, Eli, and Archie Manning.
Walter Football's mock draft suggests Manning could be the No. 4 pick in a future NFL Draft.
Gary Anderson advanced to the semi-finals of the PDC World Championship by defeating Justin Hood. Ryan Searle also secured a semi-final spot after winning against Jonny Clayton.
Key Facts
Gary Anderson reached the semi-finals after his victory over Justin Hood.
Ryan Searle beat Jonny Clayton to progress to the semi-finals.
Gary Anderson previously won PDC world titles in 2015 and 2016.
Justin Hood made it to the quarter-finals in his first appearance at Alexandra Palace.
Justin Hood plans to use some of his prize money to open a Chinese restaurant.
Ryan Searle is ranked in the world's top 10 after his latest win.
Searle deals with a genetic eye condition called dominant optic atrophy.
Semi-final matches are scheduled for 2 January and will determine the finalists.
Alabama's Crimson Tide and Indiana's Hoosiers will compete in the Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff on January 1, 2026. Indiana is undefeated this season and the game will decide who advances to the national championship semifinals.
Key Facts
Alabama plays against Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026.
The game will air at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN and other channels.
Indiana has a 13-0 record and won the Big Ten Championship.
Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, won the Heisman Trophy.
Alabama has an 11-3 record and recently defeated Oklahoma.
The winning team will move on to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
This is Indiana's first Rose Bowl appearance since 1968.
Oklahoma has decided to fire tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley due to offensive struggles in recent games. Finley served as the tight ends coach and briefly as offensive coordinator since 2021. Oklahoma aims to improve its offense for the 2026 season.
Key Facts
Oklahoma's football team struggled offensively in recent important games.
The team scored only two field goals in a loss to Texas on October 11.
Against Missouri and LSU, the team scored just 17 points each game.
In the College Football Playoff, Oklahoma lost 34-24 to Alabama.
Joe Jon Finley, the tight ends coach, has been with Oklahoma since 2021.
Finley was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and offensive coordinator in 2024 but returned to coaching tight ends in 2025.
Head Coach Brent Venables highlighted the need for improved offensive strategies.
The team aims to improve its offensive play for the 2026 season.
Ohio State's football season ended after losing to Miami in the College Football Playoff. Following the loss, several players, including key recruits, announced they are leaving Ohio State via the NCAA transfer portal.
Key Facts
Ohio State lost to Miami Hurricanes, ending their season.
Ohio State was aiming to defend their national championship.
After the game, tight end Jelani Thurman entered the transfer portal.
Backup quarterback Mason Maggs also announced his transfer.
Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz and cornerback Bryce West declared their plans to transfer.
Bryce West was a top 75 recruit in the 2024 class with three years of eligibility left.
Oklahoma State University's football team is losing many players to the transfer portal, including a promising quarterback named Hauss Hejny. The team's new head coach, Eric Morris, hopes to rebuild the roster by attracting top talents from other schools. The transfer portal opens on January 2, 2026.
Key Facts
Hauss Hejny, a four-star recruit, is entering the transfer portal.
Over 40 Oklahoma State players are joining the transfer portal.
Hejny played a brief part of the 2025 season, throwing for 96 yards in one game.
Oklahoma State had a difficult season, losing 11 games in a row after their single win.
Eric Morris, the new head coach, is from North Texas and is expected to bring in strong players.
The transfer portal opens on January 2, 2026.
There are hopes that quarterback Drew Mestemaker might join Oklahoma State.
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Key Facts
Sleeper offers a $100 bonus with the promo code NEWSWEEKXL for new users.
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Miami upset Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, impacting the playoff landscape.
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The Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, ending their season. Miami advances to the semifinals, while Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is likely heading to the NFL. Downs had an impressive game and is expected to be a top draft pick.
Key Facts
The game took place on December 31 during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, known as the Cotton Bowl.
Miami Hurricanes defeated Ohio State Buckeyes with a score of 24-14.
Miami will move on to play in the semifinals against the winner of the Georgia vs. Ole Miss game.
Ohio State's season ended with this loss, marking the end of the college careers for some players.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft and might be a top-10 pick.
During the Cotton Bowl, Downs recorded seven solo tackles and 10 combined tackles.
Over his past two seasons with Ohio State, Downs averaged two interceptions and 75 combined tackles each season.
Kyle Whittingham, now coaching at Michigan, is using the transfer portal to strengthen the team. The portal opens on January 2, 2026, allowing players to switch schools in a short time. John Henry Daley, a top defensive player, might join Michigan to boost their defense.
Key Facts
Kyle Whittingham became the coach of Michigan after previously coaching at Utah.
Michigan lost to Texas in the Citrus Bowl in 2025.
The transfer portal allows players to transfer between schools in a 15-day period.
John Henry Daley, a strong defensive player, plans to enter the transfer portal.
Daley previously played for BYU and then transferred to Utah.
Michigan aims to use the transfer portal to improve its defense for the 2026 season.
Belfast boxer Paul McCullagh Jr has died at the age of 25 after a brief illness. He was a notable figure in the boxing community with achievements as both an amateur and a professional boxer.
Key Facts
Paul McCullagh Jr was a Belfast boxer who passed away at 25.
He had a short illness before his death.
McCullagh Jr was an Ulster Elite heavyweight champion as an amateur in 2019.
He won both of his professional fights.
McCullagh’s family has a strong boxing background; both his father and grandfather were champion boxers.
His grandfather was a renowned boxing coach in Belfast.
Tributes were paid by notable boxing figures, including Carl Frampton and Aidan Walsh.
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association extended condolences to his family.
Ole Miss and Georgia are set to compete in the Sugar Bowl, with Ole Miss aiming to continue their strong season under new coach Pete Golding. Lane Kiffin, the former Ole Miss coach now at LSU, supported his previous team on social media after ESPN analysts predicted a Georgia win. Ole Miss enters the game with a 12-1 record after defeating Tulane.
Key Facts
Ole Miss will play against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl game.
The game is part of the College Football Playoff.
Ole Miss has a new head coach, Pete Golding, who took over after Lane Kiffin left for LSU.
Lane Kiffin showed support for Ole Miss on social media despite leaving the team.
ESPN's "College GameDay" crew, including Nick Saban, predicted Georgia would win.
Ole Miss has a strong record of 12 wins and 1 loss this season.
The Sugar Bowl game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Chris Jones, a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, discussed his future with the team despite a challenging season. While some speculate about a possible team change, Jones expressed his desire to remain with the Chiefs. Meanwhile, there is anticipation regarding teammate Travis Kelce's potential retirement decision.
Key Facts
The Kansas City Chiefs had a disappointing season with a 6-10 record.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a late-season injury, and Travis Kelce's retirement may be impending.
Chris Jones joined the Chiefs in 2016 and has won three Super Bowls with the team.
Jones expressed his intent to stay with the Chiefs and retire with the team, inspired by Kobe Bryant's loyalty to one organization.
In his 10 years with the Chiefs, Jones has played in at least 13 games each season.
Travis Kelce's potential retirement announcement may come after the season ends.
Jones described the season as a time of "adversity" but appreciates what it taught him.
The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in Jones's career with the team.
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Key Facts
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Penn State's football team is dealing with significant changes after a disappointing season. Following the firing of their head coach, James Franklin, and hiring of Matt Campbell from Iowa State, the team has seen over a dozen players enter the transfer portal. The team hopes new hires and strategies will help rebuild their roster.
Key Facts
Penn State did not qualify for the College Football Playoff this year.
Coach James Franklin was fired midseason following a disappointing performance.
Matt Campbell, the new head coach, was previously with Iowa State.
Over a dozen Penn State players entered the transfer portal recently.
The team lost several key defensive players, including Chaz Coleman and Zuriah Fisher.
The transfer portal allows players to switch schools, and it opens officially on January 2, 2026.
Penn State is hoping to improve quickly with the help of rumored new staff, including USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn.
The Dallas Cowboys traded star player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 NFL season after failing to agree on a long-term contract. Following the trade, a public disagreement between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has intensified, with Parsons expressing his dissatisfaction on social media. Parsons suffered a season-ending injury but had a strong start with the Packers.
Key Facts
The Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
The trade occurred because Parsons and the Cowboys could not agree on a contract extension.
Micah Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones have had a public falling out, with Parsons criticizing Jones on social media.
Parsons reunited with former Cowboys teammate Trevon Diggs at the Packers.
Micah Parsons suffered a season-ending torn ACL while playing for the Packers but plans to return next season.
In his first season with Green Bay, Parsons played 14 games and recorded 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a defended pass.
The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs and need to improve their defense after Parsons' departure.
Miami defeated defending national champion Ohio State in a college football quarterfinal game with a score of 24-14. Keionte Scott made a significant interception return touchdown, helping Miami advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Miami will face either Georgia or Ole Miss next.
Key Facts
Miami beat Ohio State 24-14 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown early in the game.
Miami was the 10th seed and has now won two playoff games to reach the semifinals.
Carson Beck, Miami's quarterback, completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown.
The Hurricanes aim for their first national title since 2001.
Miami will play either Georgia or Ole Miss in the semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.
Ohio State, favored to win by 9 1/2 points, could not secure back-to-back national titles.
Coach Mario Cristobal, a former Miami player, is leading the team in his fourth season.
Enzo Maresca has left his job as Chelsea's head coach after 18 months. Although Maresca initially led the team to success, a recent series of poor performances caused the club to fall out of the Premier League title race. The club and Maresca decided a change was needed to improve their chances for the rest of the season.
Key Facts
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have parted ways after 18 months.
Maresca joined Chelsea in 2024 after helping Leicester City get promoted to the Premier League.
Under Maresca, Chelsea won the Conference League trophy and the Club World Cup and qualified for the Champions League.
Chelsea struggled in recent weeks, winning only one of their last seven league games.
The team has fallen to fifth place in the league, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Maresca expressed frustration with a lack of support from the club, mentioning a difficult period after a win over Everton.
Fans expressed dissatisfaction during Maresca's final match, a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Chelsea has not announced who will manage their next game against Manchester City.
