Tuesday Todd Graham told me he had agreed to a 5-year contract extention which was good through 2012. I guess 2012 came a few years early. At 6AM Friday Graham met with his players at Rice and told them he was taking the head coaching job at Tulsa. He said it was the best thing for his family.

Initially quarterback Chase Clement and linebacker Brian Raines told me they were upset, but after they thought about it awhile they're already mentally preparing for the new coach. In 2006 the Rice players endured some very tough times. They lost a teammate, Dale Lloyd, who died during the season due to a health problem. They suffered numerous injuries, including the loss their starting quarterback for 4 regular season games. Despite all of that they made it to the post-season for the first time in 45 years. The current Rice players are definately a very strong group. The nucleus of that team returns for 2007. I believe the most significant loss is runningback Quinton Smith, who is set to graduate.

The question is ... will the 19 athletes who have committed to sign with the Owls on February 6th ... honor that commitment??

Rice Athletic Director Chris Del Conte started Friday's news conference by declaring,"What a great day to be a Rice Owl!" Del Conte later revealed that he had already contacted the 19 new rice recruits and pledged that the school would honor their commitments no matter who the new coach is.

Del Conte said the search is underway and he will move quickly to name Graham's replacement. I believe the best candidate for the job is already on campus. He's Paul Randolph. He was Graham's defensive coodinator and associate head coach this past year and a player favorite. Del Conte says Randolph is a candidate but he's been receiving plenty of phone calls from other candidates around the country.

Del Conte isn't putting a time-table on his search but he says he'll hire someone as quickly as possible with national signing date coming up on February 6th.

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