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Notebook: Switzer Says Upstarts Like USF Not a Fluke

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By The Tampa Tribune | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2007

TAMPA - Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer said the sudden emergence of the University of South Florida, and other newcomers on the national scene, is not a fluke.

"I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner," said Switzer, who is on XM Radio's Sportsnation on Monday and Friday mornings with T.J. Rives. "I said a few years ago the guy who did the best coaching job in America of the last decade, if not the last century, is [Kansas State's] Bill Snyder.

"I said if it can happen in Manhattan, Kansas, it can happen anywhere."

USF coach Jim Leavitt was an assistant under Snyder at Kansas State from 1990-95.

KICKER COMMITS: Lake Wales K Maikon Bonani, a first-team all-state selection last season, verbally committed to the Bulls on Wednesday, making him USF's 11th commitment this season.

"He's the best I've been around," Lake Wales coach Rod Shafer said. "The only great kicker I can compare him to is [former USF K] Billy Gramatica, who I coached in the Florida-Georgia Game in 1995. He has that same kind of pop."

Shafer said Bonani, who was also recruited by Florida State, UCF, Michigan and Auburn, is also Lake Wales' No. 1 tennis player and expected to be the school's valedictorian.

ODDS AND ENDS: DE George Selvie, the nation's leader in sacks and tackles for loss, was added to the watch list for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's top lineman. … USF LB Brouce Mompremier believes the Bulls' past will help them from becoming an upset victim Saturday. "We came from the bottom so we know how it is to be that team that wants to knock off the big team," he said. "So we know what we have to do to prepare so we won't fall like the other teams have."

Brett McMurphy, Gregg Becnel

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