Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson found himself in a predicament on Friday when football head-coach-in-waiting James Franklin accepted the head coaching position at Vanderbilt. Franklin, who was to take over for Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen after the 2011 season, will of course not be doing that after ending up in Nashville as the Commodores head coach.

Thus, athletic director Anderson, who had earlier in the year said Friedgen would coach in 2011 and have Franklin take over after that, had to do an

about face. Anderson then let Freidgen know he would not be welcomed back as head coach in 2011. Friedgen will now accept a $2 million buyout not to coach next year. Does this open up the door for controversial former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach? Stay tuned.

Minnesota Twins make it through posting process and then sign Nishioka

 

A few weeks back, the Minnesota Twins went through Major League Baseball's posting process to acquire the right to negotiate with Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Under the posting process, the Twins paid over $5 million dollars to Chiba Lotte (Nishioka's former team in Japan) just to have the chance to sign Nishioka. The Twins will count that as money well spent, having just reached a three year deal with Nishioka with an option for 2014.

Coming next week:  The Sports Law Stories Of The Year