Matt Baker
National college sports reporter for The Athletic
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- The retirement of Montana coach Bobby Hauck feels, to me, like another canary-in-the-coal-mine moment for the coaching industry. When agents, transfers, $, etc. have made coaching CFB less enjoyable at MONTANA...we've got an issue here. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
- Reposted by Matt BakerNEWS: The NCAA has denied Ole Miss’ appeal for a sixth year of eligibility for Trinidad Chambliss. The QB’s future now is in the hands of a Mississippi court. More details: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
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- The first specific inquiry into a school or its players by the CSC is complete. LSU says no disciplinary action was taken against the Tigers, and all deals that must be sent to NIL Go have been submitted. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
- ICYMI it this morning, Gus Malzahn is retiring from coaching, Florida State announced. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
- NEWS: The College Sports Commission has opened an investigation into LSU over potential unreported NIL deal(s). The Tigers are the first known program under an inquiry from the new enforcement body. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
- To update: The CSC investigation at LSU isn’t related to football. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
- We've got some🔥🔥🔥takes and predictions for the 2026 season here. A couple of them are doozies! www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
- Saturday marks the end of Jim Phillips' fifth year as ACC commissioner. A tiny bit has happened since then. I caught up with him this week for a wide-ranging Q&A about where the league has been and where it's going. On Notre Dame, conference expansion, $ and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
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- Procedural update on this...Duke and Mensah have informed the court that they've reached a confidential agreement to end the case, dismiss the TRO that prevented Mensah from changing schools, etc. Formally closing the loop. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
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- So @williamsjustin.bsky.social and I spent all day yesterday writing this detailed explainer on the Duke-Darian Mensah thing, including how it might end. Guess we have our answer: a settlement announced this morning www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
- I'm glad our Antonio Morales wrote about a question I've been wondering: Why don't schools develop quarterbacks anymore? www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
- My colleagues and I closed the book on the 2025 college football season with some final thoughts and takeaways plus a prediction that won't be loved here in SEC country. www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
- Our updated story with the latest between Duke and star QB Darian Mensah. I've had a couple folks (not involved in the case) suggest to me that the bond in this case isn't very big given the stakes, if you want to try to read tea leaves. www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
- We're updating our story on Duke QB Darian Mensah entering the portal after a N.C. judge released an order today. Basically, Mensah can enter the portal but can't enroll elsewhere, license his NIL elsewhere or play football elsewhere for the time being. www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
- Another first (we think) in college football. The Duke-Darian Mensah lawsuit www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
- Some more from the bedlam in Bloomington yesterday, in video form.
- In downtown Bloomington, 100 people scaled a building and sang “We are the Champions” with the crowd below. Because the Hoo-Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers are champions. In football. On bedlam and disbelief from the ground in Bloomington www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
- Downtown Bloomington is still standing after last night.
- I've never seen anything like what I saw tonight. Er, this morning. Whatever. I'm just glad I have feeling in my fingers again
- This is what it feels like to be an Indiana fan right now
- We’re live-blogging Miami-IU here, if you’d like to join us. I’ll have my updates from the Assembly Hall watch party over there. www.nytimes.com/athletic/col...
- This is the handiwork of Rayna Boessler and her six roommates in Bloomington. If there’s one thing sorority girls know how to do, she told me, it’s make signs and banners out of sheets.
- Vinny Sarkine is among the many still trying to get into one of Bloomington’s main bars. He’s says the whole thing is surreal. He’s not wrong
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- These photos show *part* of the line to get into The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington. I talked to a couple guys who have been waiting since 9 last night. Current windchill: minus-8. How do you stay warm in this, I asked them. Answer: “You don’t.” IU-Miami kicks off in 9+ hours
- Back home again in Indiana. The Indy airport is certainly ready for a big game tomorrow
- I was born and raised in Indiana. My neighborhood was surrounded by corn and soybeans. So believe me when I say this: Indiana is a bigger and better football state than you think, and it all comes back to some guy named Peyton. www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
- USF has realized the contract for new head FB coach Brian Hartline. 6 seasons, $3.5 million/year (base + supplemental income) Staff salary pool = $6.2M this year If Hartline leaves (ie for another job) before the end of the '27 season, he'd owe $5M. Down to $3M the next year
- My colleagues and I spent a couple days talking to dozens of coaches at all levels about everything from the chaotic calendar to redshirt rules to IU's rise and why high school recruits are getting screwed. Here's a comprehensive look at what we heard: www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
- We picked our favorite games of the 2025-26 college football season here. I went with a wildcard of sorts: www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
- Happy to be in Charlotte for the AFCA Convention. If you’re here, come say hey!
- We're discussing IU-Oregon live over here. Join us, please! www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
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- UNC has officially announced Bobby Petrino as Bill Belichick's new offensive coordinator. No idea how it'll work, but it won't be boring!
- The coaching adage goes that it’s hard to beat a really good team twice. Is it true? I called the only two head coaches to face Curt Cignetti twice to find out. My analysis and what it means for tonight’s IU-Oregon sequel: www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
- Our initial takeaways on the Miami-Ole Miss thriller, including what's next for The U: www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
- We're chatting Miami-Ole Miss over here if you'd like to follow along: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
- Reposted by Matt BakerWashington has no intention of releasing Demond Williams from the contract he signed on Jan. 2, @theathletic.com has learned. This could lead to a legal fight. The Big Ten is also expected to be involved as well. Story w/ @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social and Sam Jane: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
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- Byrum Brown's Instagram page. As expected, one of the top QBs in the portal is following HC Alex Golesh from USF to Auburn.
- JMU would beat any of them imo
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- Carson Beck’s mom heard from 20ish UGA people Wednesday. On her son’s big day for Miami, redemption and that potential matchup in the semifinal. www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
- Our first story on Miami’s Cotton Bowl triumph over Ohio State: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
- When I talked with Miami's OC this week, he mentioned the little things Carson Beck does, like picking up first downs on drives that start deep in UM territory to flip the field. It won't win awards, but Beck's offense just did that... www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
