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Samuels, Tolley Absent For Bulls

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By BRETT McMURPHY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 4, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida sophomore running back Aston Samuels and junior offensive tackle Danny Tolley are considered "questionable" for the season and won't report today when the Bulls begin fall practice.

Also, junior wide receiver Colby Erskin, who is recovering from a second torn ACL in as many seasons, will not participate today, but is expected to return later this fall.

Last month, USF coach Jim Leavitt said he wasn't counting on Samuels, who suffered a broken shoulder socket last season, to play this season. He also didn't expect Tolley, who suffered ACL and groin injuries, to return until mid-October at the earliest.

Samuels was the Bulls' fastest running back (4.42 in the 40).

Defensive end David Bedford and cornerback Theo Wilson, both junior college transfers, are still awaiting academic clearance before they can practice.

The Bulls' practices are closed to the public. USF will hold its annual Fan Appreciation Day Aug. 10 from 3-6 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.

FSU Implements New System For Contracts

TALLAHASSEE - Randy Spetman, FSU's athletic director for the past six months, is instituting a new system for contracts for the school's coaches.

Multiyear contracts, once rare among FSU coaches, are becoming commonplace under Spetman.

This should provide FSU coaches with a sense of stability that will help while recruiting. It also should help the athletic department during challenging economic times, as it will not have to renegotiate major contracts every year.

New softball coach Lonnie Alameda recently agreed to a multi-year deal. So did volleyball coach Chris Poole, who was named to that position in June.

Bob Braman, who has taken FSU to three consecutive NCAA outdoor track and field championships, also came to terms for a three-year deal this summer. While legendary football coach Bobby Bowden's one-year amendment signed in December ended a string of five-year deals, basketball coaches Leonard Hamilton and Sue Semrau are under multi-year contracts.

"As the contracts come due, we'll continue to look in that direction," said Spetman, who signed a five-year pact when he came to FSU from Utah State in February. "I think nationally they've gone to multi-year contracts because other universities use that against you in the recruiting business."

Prior to January 2007, only the two head basketball coaches, Bowden and former FSU athletic director Dave Hart had five-year deals. FSU then provided new assistant football coaches Jimbo Fisher and Rick Trickett three-year contracts in January 2007. Veteran football defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews also signed a three-year deal at that time.

The Tallahassee Democrat contributed to this report. Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.

com.

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