Ex-UK sports info boss busy as Santa these days

By: Steve Moss

Updated: Fri 11:37 PM, Dec 24, 2010

Former UK sports information guru Scott Stricklin must be as busy as Santa's helpers. Already this week, Stricklin, now the athletics director at Mississippi State, has shipped two of his basketball team's big men back to Starkville, and is close to finalizing a deal that will keep his football coach in town.

Former UK sports information guru, and all-around good guy, Scott Stricklin must be as busy as Santa's helpers these days.

Already this week, Stricklin, now the athletics director at Mississippi State, has shipped two of his basketball team's big men back to Starkville, and is close to finalizing a deal that will keep his football coach in town.

Trouble seems to follow sophomore Renardo Sidney, once rated a top-10 player coming out of high school in Los Angeles. Earlier in the week, Sidney went off in practice prior to the Bulldogs' appearance in the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, drawing a one-game suspension from coach Rick Stansbury.

Then, on Thursday, Sidney, and teammate Elgin Bailey, were seen trading haymakers in the stands before a game between Utah and Hawaii.

Sidney sat out all of last season and the first nine games this year after an NCAA investigation concerning his status as an amateur.

Kudos to Stricklin for acting quickly and decisively, suspending both players indefinitely. He put both players on seperate planes and flew them back to Starkville, where they'll wait to learn the severity of the suspensions.

Additionally, Stricklin said State players have been warned about posting inappropriate messages on social media sites. Sidney reportedly posted a message on his Twitter account, saying, "Haha, keep hating people am loving it..."

Stricklin also is dealing with the fallout of football success. The Clarion Ledger is reporting that State football coach Dan Mullen is in line for a new four-year contract (Mississippi law prohibits state employees from receiving contracts exceeding four years) following a season that saw his 'Dogs go 8-4 and clinch a birth in the Gator Bowl.

Stricklin also is feverishly working to secure nearly $45 million in private donations for an expansion of Scott Field, MSU's football stadium, and the building of a new football-specific facility.

That's why you're getting paid the big bucks, Scott. Happy Holidays!

Those are the highlights... Stay tuned.

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