The collection of college football media that has Penn State as the preseason No. 1 team or at least the team to beat continues to grow. 

Phil Steele has Penn State as his No. 1 team and feels this squad will capture the program’s first national championship since 1986.

Joining Steele is ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, who on their morning show Get Up picked Penn State as the best team in the country.

In the segment “Heather’s Heaters,” the question was will the SEC fail to win the national championship in a third consecutive season, and Orlovsky agreed. 

“I think Penn State is one of the if not the best team in college football,” Orlovsky said. “Obviously Ohio State will be there, we have to see what happens about the quarterback position (Ohio State has not named a starter between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Keinholz). I think Illinois will be awesome in the Big Ten. There are a lot of players in the Big Ten.” 

Orlovsky mentioned the SEC will be amongst the top conferences. The SEC won six of the first 10 national championships in the first College Football Playoff format. 

Clemson being a team that can contend for a national championship has LSU in Week 1, a team Orlovsky feels will be a thorn in Big Ten and SEC teams’ side.  Steele has Clemson finishing No. 2 in the country.

Penn State opens its season August 30 against Nevada in Beaver Stadium.

FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks hockey program has officially announced the hiring of Matt Curley as its new associate head coach. Curley joins the Nanooks after four seasons as general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Matt Curley to the Alaska Nanooks as our associate head coach,” said head coach Erik Largen. “Matt brings a wealth of experience—from winning international medals with USA Hockey, to coaching in the USHL, NCAA, and Europe. He’s a proven leader who’s developed players at every level, and his time as a head coach at UAA gives him unique insight into what it takes to build and sustain a successful program in Alaska. Even more important than his resume is the kind of person he is. Matt is an unbelievable person, hardworking, and deeply committed to mentoring young men both on and off the ice. He builds strong relationships, brings out the best in his players, and leads with integrity. We’re fortunate to add someone of his caliber to our staff and excited for the future of Nanooks Hockey.”

Curley served as head coach and GM of the Des Moines Buccaneers from 2021–2025. Before his time in the USHL, he was head coach at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 2018–2021 and spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Bentley University from 2013–2015. Between his first two NCAA stints, Curley was the head coach for RB Hockey Juniors in Austria, spending 2015-18 there. 

His resume also includes several years on the international stage with USA Hockey, serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 national teams during the 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2021–22, and 2022–23 seasons.

A native of Madrid, N.Y., Curley played four seasons at Clarkson University (2003–2007) and won the 2006-07 ECAC Tournament. Following college, he had a two-year professional career that included stints in the SPHL, IHL, and ECHL. 

“I couldn’t be happier to be coming back to the state of Alaska, a place that has always felt like home to me,” said Curley. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Largen, the rest of the Nanooks hockey staff and players. It is a privilege to be a part of a program that is so strongly supported by the community and University. I am looking forward to contributing towards the continued growth and development of Nanooks hockey.”

Curley’s combination of experience and leadership is expected to assist the Nanooks continue building momentum in years to come. 

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HANOVER, N.H. — Three members of the Dartmouth football team have been named Stats Perform Preseason All-Americans, as announced by the organization on Tuesday. Tight end Chris Corbo and offensive lineman Delby Lemieux were named to the first team, with placekicker Owen Zalc earning second-team honors. The three honorees mark the most in the Ivy League.
 
Following last season, Corbo was a first team All-Ivy honoree, while also earning first team All-America by the AFCA and Walter Camp. He enjoyed a stellar junior season, leading the Big Green with seven touchdown receptions — the most by a Dartmouth player since Drew Estrada had eight in 2019. Corbo was also an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. His 32 receptions were second on the team, while his 315 yards were third. Corbo had a touchdown in seven of the 10 games in a remarkably consistent season. His seven receiving touchdowns were second nationally amongst tight ends, while his 1.4 touchdowns per game lead the country amongst his position.
 
An AP honorable mention All-American in 2024, Lemieux was first team All-Ivy while also garnering second team All-America recognition from FCS Football Central. As an anchor of the offensive line, the Big Green finished top 20 nationally in fewest sacks allowed while finishing third in the Ivy League in rushing offense (166.5 yards per game).
 
The reigning Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Year, Zalc finished the 2024 season 13-of-17 on field goals, with impressive range. Zalc knocked through a program-record 54-yard field goal against Harvard. At Merrimack, he had a 50-yarder, while also converting the game-winning 32-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to wrap up a hard-fought 16-14 win. Also a first team All-Ivy honoree for a second straight season, Zalc was named Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week three times — following that Merrimack win, the following week after Penn and after the record kick against the Crimson.
 
Dartmouth football fans can get a jump on the 2025 season by securing their season tickets and group tickets for the fall when the Big Green attempt to defend their Ivy League title. Click here for more information.
 

Ron Nocetti, executive director of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), is the new president of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for 2025-26. Nocetti, the 66^th president of the NFHS, began his one-year term July 2 following the NFHS Summer Meeting, which was held this year in Chicago, Illinois.     

Lance Taylor, executive director of the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA), was elected by the NFHS Board of Directors to the position of president-elect for the upcoming year.     

The following individuals were approved by the NFHS National Council for four-year terms on the NFHS Board of Directors: Doug Ute, executive director, Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), Section 2; Erich Martens, executive director, Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), Section 5; and Misty Wharton, superintendent, Nestucca Valley School District, Cloverdale, Oregon, at large, Sections 5 and 8.      

 Ron Nocetti was named the CIF’s ninth executive director in 2019. He is responsible for appeals, the CIF constitution and bylaws, interpretations, section commissioners, eligibility, CIF Executive Committee/Federated Council, legislation, sports medicine and liaison to the NFHS. 

Before succeeding Roger Blake as the leader of the CIF, Nocetti had been the CIF’s associate executive director since 2012. Nocetti, who heads the CIF’s 10 sections and more than 1,600 member schools, has been involved in education since 1991 as a teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator. In 2008, he was hired as the CIF director of championship events, promoted to senior director shortly thereafter before becoming the associate executive director.

As associate executive director, Nocetti was responsible for advisory committee membership, budget/finances, contracts, equity, legislation, the participation census, the Pursuing Victory with Honor program, sports medicine, as well as administering the sports of baseball, football and golf.

Nocetti received his bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s degree in sport management and a doctorate in educational leadership – all from the University of San Francisco. 

Lance Taylor was named executive director of the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) in 2006, after seven years as the organization’s associate executive director (2000-03), deputy executive director (2003-05) and executive director-elect (2005-06). Prior to joining the AAA in 2000, he was a teacher, coach and principal at three Arkansas schools for 13 years.

After graduating from Arkansas State University (ASU) in 1987, Taylor began his career as a teacher and coach at Hot Springs (Arkansas) Cutter Morning Star High School (1988-93) and Greenwood (Arkansas) High School (1993-98). He then served two one-year stints as a high school principal at Greenwood High School and Batesville (Arkansas) High School.

Taylor, who is the second-longest tenured state association executive director, will be serving his second term on the NFHS Board of Directors. He previously served a term from 2011 to 2015. At 19 years of service, Taylor is second behind Jerome Singleton, who has directed the South Carolina High School League since 2005.

Taylor’s other involvement on NFHS committees has been extensive. He has held positions on the Football Rules Committee, Soccer Rules Committee, Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, Citizenship Committee, Appeal Board, Summer Meeting Advisory Committee, NFHS HOLDCO Committee and the NFHS Foundation Board of Directors. In addition, he has been a member of two NFHS Strategic Planning Committees, including chair of the 2016-2021 committee.

A certified principal and superintendent and Arkansas native, Taylor received his master’s degree in secondary administration from ASU in 1992.

Doug Ute, a former coach, teacher, athletic administrator, principal and superintendent who spent 35 years in Ohio’s schools, was named the executive director of the OHSAA in 2020. He is the 11^th director in the history of the OHSAA.

Ute joined the OHSAA near the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and guided the organization through the ever-changing environment. Under his leadership, the OHSAA was able to navigate financial, attendance and facility availability restrictions in order to complete all of its state tournament events during the 2020-21 school year.

Along with his duties as executive director, Ute serves as the OHSAA’s sport administrator for girls and boys basketball, directly overseeing the coordination of the regional and state tournaments in those sports.

 Ute was a school superintendent for 20 years—nine years at Marion Elgin Local Schools and 11 years at Newark City Schools—prior to assuming his post at the OHSAA. He also coached and taught at Noble Local Schools in eastern Ohio and Buckeye Central High School, which is near his hometown of Bellville in north central Ohio.

Ute began his career in 1988 as a basketball coach and part-time business teacher at Noble Local Schools (Shenandoah High School) in Sarahsville in eastern Ohio. He then went to Buckeye Central in New Washington as a teacher and coach, while also serving as the athletic administrator. In 1996 he became the principal at Marion Elgin and then took over as superintendent in 2000 at Elgin, a district of 1,500 students. Ute became superintendent in Newark in 2009.

 Ute was a standout student-athlete at Clear Fork High School, graduating in 1980, and played basketball at Ashland University, where he led the team in assists all four years and left as the school’s career assists leader (he currently ranks second with 687, an average of 6.36 per game). He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing and would later return to Ashland to earn a master’s degree in school administration, a graduate teaching degree in business, a principal’s license and a superintendent’s license.

 Erich Martens, a Minnesota native, has spent the majority of his educational and professional career in his home state. He currently serves as the MSHSL executive director, a role he has had since 2017. Behind his leadership, the League continues to thrive and serve as a national trailblazer for education-based opportunities for students. Martens is the seventh executive director in the 110-year history of the League.

Previously the principal for 13 years at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, Martens also served a four-year term on the League’s Board of Directors, including a one-year position as president, prior to assuming the executive director position.

Before his time at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, Martens was principal at Sauk Centre High School from 1999 to 2004. He began his career in education in 1988 as a math instructor and coach at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, Cosmos High School and Mitchell (South Dakota) High School.  

A graduate of New Ulm High School in 1984, and four years later from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Martens has held numerous professional leadership roles, including the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. While at New Ulm High School, he was a four-sport participant, a member of the band and choir and served in student leadership roles.

Misty Wharton has been superintendent of the Nestucca Valley School District in Cloverdale, Oregon, since 2017 after serving as principal of Nestucca Valley Elementary School for five years and social studies teacher at Nestucca High School for 10 years.

While serving as a teacher at Nestucca High School, her alma mater, Wharton coached cross country, track and field, and softball, and was the junior varsity coach for volleyball. After graduating from Nestucca High School, Wharton was a college golfer at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.

Wharton has been heavily involved with the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), having served on the OSAA Delegate Assembly since 2017. She also has been a member and chair of the OSAA Budget Committee and has chaired the OSAA Classification and Districting Committee since 2021. 

Wharton also is a member of the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) and served on the COSA Equity Board of Directors.

Longtime ESPN analyst and SEC pundit Paul Finebaum predicts one of the game’s top powers to falter in this season due to challenges stemming from the Name, Image and Likeness world of college football.

Schools have been forced to adapt to a new NIL era in the aftermath of the House settlement. The revenue-share model, allowing schools to allocate up to $20.5 million to athletes this year, is the new status quo.

Despite the settlement’s proposed intention to reign-in the unsustainable NIL spending, those lofty deals, sometimes undeserved in terms of on-field performance, continues to a sticking point.

In an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Finebaum revealed his questions of Georgia and two-time national champion head coach Kirby Smart after an uncharacteristic 2024 campaign.

After not losing a regular season game for the better part of three seasons, the Bulldogs suffered regular season losses to both Alabama and Ole Miss. Smart and Co. responded with their third SEC championship before falling to Notre Dame, 28-10, in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Georgia enters the 2025 season with questions at quarterback after Carson Beck’s transfer to Miami on a reported NIL package worth $4.5 million.

Gunner Stockton is the favorite after replacing an injured beck in the SEC title game and playoff appearance. And his first season as the full-time starter features matchups against playoff contenders like Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas.

Those matchups will come at home, but Finebaum isn’t high on Stockton, or Georgia as a program in the current NIL landscape.

“This year they have those games at home, so they have a chance,” Finebaum said during SEC Media Days. “But I don’t think Georgia has a quarterback, which is what is going to be their undoing. Gunner Stockton did not show me anything in the just epic loss and loss of not only the game, but loss of composure and maybe loss of traction.”

“So I think Kirby Smart has a lot to answer for when he gets here this week,” Finebaum said. “But, NIL is the reason just to double up on what everybody else has said, there’s just so much going on you, you can’t hold on to your rosters, so you’re going to lose critical backup people or starters that may be the difference between an undefeated season and losing two or three games.”

Georgia’s decision to move on from Beck, stick with Stockton and not sign a transfer quarterback will be a talking point all season.

What Smart and his staff do have, as Stockton progresses, is the nation’s No. 2 roster. Only Texas ranks higher than the Bulldogs in blue-chip ratio this year.

That’s due, in part, to dominant recruiting. While talking heads wonder if Georgia can keep up with the NIL surge, the Bulldogs have yet to finish outside of the top five in recruiting in the last nine years and are coming off the No. 2 class in the 2025 cycle.

The talent will be there for Stockton to be successful, and it’s up to the redshirt junior and the Bulldogs to silence the doubters.

That journey will begin in the season opener against Marshall on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m ET (ESPN).