Porter Named New Tigers Coach. Basketball, George & Reba

The University of Memphis named Larry Porter head coach of the football Tigers. Porter, currently an assistant at LSU, is a former Memphis player and is considered to be one the top recruiters in the country. His one knock is that he has not been a coordinator on either side of the ball, so the jump to head coach might be a big one for Porter. There is no doubt that Porter will surround himself with coaching talent that is expected to take Memphis to the next level.

Earlier in the week, rumors were circulating that Memphis was going to hire Washington Redskins assistant Jerry Gray. Gray's connection to the Tiger program was FexEx founder and CEO Fred Smith. Smith is also a minority owner of the Redskins and he has a son on the Redksins staff. Current Tiger Cannon Smith is also Smith's son. Hiring Gray would have been just like Smith and FedEx's acquisition and operation of Kinko's...a horrible decision.

Sticking with the Tigers, Josh Pastner's team has a two game winning streak after overpowering Tennessee Tech and Central Arkansas this week. The winning streak should reach three games after Memphis takes on Oakland Monday night at FedEx Forum.

Country music fans should enjoy the recently announced George Strait/Reba McEntire concert that is coming to FedEx Forum on March 4, 2010. Tickets are set to go on sale on January 28, 2010.