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Report: Rice Athletics targeting Tommy McClelland to be new AD

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Not long after the announced departure of Joe Karlgaard, Rice Athletics has reportedly focused its search on Tommy McClelland to be its new AD.

First reported by Pete Thamel, Rice Athletics is targeting current Vanderbilt deputy athletic director Tommy McClelland. According to Thamel, the deal is “expected to be finalized in the upcoming days.”

McClelland cut his teeth as an athletic director at McNeese State before moving to Louisiana Tech, where he served as the Bulldogs’ athletic director from 2013 to 2020 before departing for Vanderbilt. His particular penchant for fundraising, noted by Thamel and separately confirmed to The Roost, is one of his most distinctive traits.

The addition would be another step in a season of change for the entire Rice Athletics department and the university as a whole. Rice has recently installed a new president, Reginald DesRoches, moved to a new conference, the American Athletic, and now will be finalizing the addition of a new athletic director.

The hire would presumably enable Rice to have their card in order for the upcoming fall athletic season, which is quickly approaching. Rice football just completed media days last week and is set to open fall camp in the coming days. A new athletic year is poised to begin and it looks now as if the Owls have their man to lead them into an exciting new future.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 152 – ’23 UTSA Preview with Jared Kalmus

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The Roost Podcast continues its AAC previews. Up next: Jared Kalmus of the Alamo Audible previews UTSA football in 2023.

Even though they’ve moved to a new conference, Rice football once again squares off with UTSA this season. Two of the AAC’s Texan teams compare notes, delving into expectations for the Roadrunners in 2023 and beyond. Host of Alamo Audible and longtime friend of the podcast Jared Kalmus joins us to talk all things UTSA.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 152.

Episode Notes

DCTF

The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

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Previewing 2023 UTSA football with Jared Kalmus

  • The rise of Frank Harris
  • AAC Media Day notes and observations
  • A quick survey around AAC
  • Expectations and obstacles for UTSA this season
  • The Oscar Cardenas Memorial Trophy
  • The Lightning Round

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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2023 Rice Football Opponent Season Preview: SMU

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After a decent year one, SMU has high expectations in their second season under Rhett Lashlee. What can Rice Football expect from the Mustangs in 2023?

Head Coach: Rhett Lashlee
Record at School: 7-6 (1 Yr) | Career FBS Record 7-6 (1 Yr)
Offensive Coordinator: Casey Woods | Defensive Coordinator: Scott Symons

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Rice Football readies for new conference, new challenges at AAC Media Days

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Rice football attended its first-ever American Athletic Conference Media Day this week, marking the unofficial beginning of a much-anticipated 2023 season.

Myron Morrison couldn’t hold back a smile. One of four representatives selected by the Rice football coaching staff to attend media days for the American Athletic Conference, Morrison glanced down at the newly embroidered “A” on the chest of his blue and gray jersey and tried to take it all in.

Morrison and the Owls unofficially kicked off their inaugural season as members of the AAC this week during the conference media days, a gathering of 14 programs in Arlington, Texas, some new to the Owls and others very familiar.

“It’s still what happens between those lines, it’s still the same [game],” Morrison said. “But it’s always nice to have a fresh change of scenery.”

The new scenery includes a slue of new logos and new faces with some familiar foes mixed in for good measure. Like, Rice everyone is adjusting to their new environment, but the messaging was consistent from top to bottom. The Owls, like everyone else, are here to compete and AAC commissioner Mike Aresco was quick to point out the lengthy history of successes that have come out of this conference in recent seasons.

Along with Morrison, head coach Mike Bloomgren, quarterback JT Daniels and edge rusher Joshua Pearcy took their turns in front of the microphones and cameras. Much of the traditional preseason topics were discussed, ranging from offseason routines to anticipation for the upcoming campaign. Through it all though, an underlying current of anticipation was palpable.

Bloomgren said as much during his scheduled time at the podium.

“I’m excited to be bringing this team into the American Athletic Conference,” he said. “I have all the respect in the world for the great players and coaches in this league.”

McCaffrey echoed as much in his remarks soon afterward. “I think this is so special for us,” he said. “It’s a great step in the right direction for Rice Athletics altogether.”

There’s a lot at stake for Rice in 2023. They have expectations of another bowl berth and reiterated their expressed goal of contending for a conference championship. Following years of building, both the program and its fans would love nothing more than for those dreams to come to fruition. Now all that’s left is to play the games.

Hear more from each of the players, Bloomgren and coaches and players from around the league on our AAC Media Days Live Show with JP Heath.

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AAC Football Media Days: Mike Aresco pushes Power

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AAC Football is alive and well. That was the message from Commissioner Mike Aresco at media days who made his case for his new-look league.

Commissioner Mike Aresco has never been one to shy away from voicing his opinion. On Tuesday morning he kicked off AAC Football media days with his familiar candor, petitioning the gathered media and all who would listen to regard his new-look conference with respect.

“I want to remind everyone that follows college football what this conference has accomplished,” Aresco said. “It’s sometimes hard to understand how some in the media continue to call us non-Power. Some have even called us mid-major. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

He went on to cite a lengthy list of wins AAC programs have had over Power 5 schools in recent years, and mentioned four ESPN College Game Days hosted by member institutions. He listed the accolades and national awards AAC players have claimed under his watch.

“Mid-major conferences simply don’t do that. And to call such powerful performances non-Power is utterly silly.”

Aresco did what he does best, advocate for the programs under his umbrella and while some of his assertations may have been a bit optimistic, much of what he did offer up was rooted in truth. For as long as this league has existed, it’s made an impact on the national stage. And for the six programs joining the conference in 2023, that’s what matters the most.

“We’re a battle-hardened, resolute group. We refuse to embrace the stereotype that our achievements have clearly put a lie to,” Aresco admonished.

No matter who you designate the AAC — power or non-power, P5 or G5, or something else entirely — this is a conference that has made an impact on the national stage time and time again.

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