Dunnellon's McCray Commits To Florida

Dunnellon High linebacker Lerentee McCray verbally committed to the University of Florida on Wednesday, choosing the Gators over Florida State and Louisiana State in an announcement made at Disney's ESPN Club.

McCray (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) had committed to the University of Miami, but the Hurricanes' offer was withdrawn after he refused to cancel official visits to other schools. A visit to Tallahassee last weekend vaulted the Seminoles into contention with Florida, but McCray ended speculation even before making his official visit this weekend to Gainesville.

His scheduled visit to the University of Michigan on Jan. 25 has been canceled.

McCray is 115th in the final Rivals250 prospect ranking, which was released Tuesday. McCray also is ranked 80th in the ESPN150 ranking.

He also received offers from South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Auburn and Clemson.

McCray's announcement gives Florida 19 verbal commitments. National Signing Day is Feb. 6.

HAWAII: Greg McMackin, 58, was hired as head coach after serving as its defensive coordinator last season on a team that went undefeated until losing the Sugar Bowl. He replaces June Jones, who left the Warriors to coach SMU. McMackin agreed to a five-year deal that will pay him $1.1 million a season.

MISSISSIPPI: Kent Austin, head coach of Saskatchewan in the Canadian Football League, has been hired as offensive coordinator.

NORTHWESTERN: Hired two new coordinators: Mick McCall (Bowling Green) to run the offense and Mike Hankwitz (Wisconsin) the defense.

WEST VIRGINIA: The school's lawsuit against Rich Rodriguez was transferred to federal court Wednesday because the former Mountaineers coach had moved to Michigan when it was filed.

"We're perfectly comfortable and happy to litigate this case in any court," said Thomas Flaherty, an attorney representing WVU. "This is not unanticipated."

The move gives Rodriguez, hired by Michigan on Dec. 16, until Wednesday to file a response. The suit was filed in a local court Dec. 27 to collect on a $4 million buyout clause in his contract.