15+ hour, 6+ min ago (395+ words) Michigan State capped the two-year Jonathan Smith era with a win over Maryland, then replaced Smith with Pat Fitzgerald. Mike Mulholland / Getty Images In college football, you never really know whether a coaching hire is going to work " just take a peek at all those A's for Brian Kelly and Billy Napier four years ago. But you also don't need to wait around to evaluate whether a school hired the right fit. As the 2025-26 coaching carousel heats up, we're handing out initial grades to the hires as head coach openings are filled around the country, focusing on how much the hire makes sense and whether it satisfies what a team identified it needed going into a coaching search. Check back as more jobs get filled. (Hired on Dec. 1) (Hired on Nov. 30) A lot to unpack here. Fitzgerald won a bunch…...

2+ week, 6+ hour ago (586+ words) Scoot Henderson is in a pivotal season of evaluation from the Blazers. Chris Coduto / Getty Images PORTLAND, Ore. " The return of Scoot Henderson to the Portland Trail Blazers is not imminent, as it appears his torn hamstring will fall into the longer forecasts of his being sidelined. Entering his eighth week since tearing his left hamstring, the third-year point guard told The Athletic he has "made a lot of progress," but he said his return to basketball activity remains "week to week." Henderson said he is scheduled to meet this week with Dr. Courtney Watson, the Blazers" director of health and performance, who will outline a course of action. Henderson, who tore his hamstring a week before training camp while scrimmaging at the team"s facility, said he can walk without pain but has been limited to stationary shooting and…...