Latest news with #CoachV
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue-chip DL Brian Harris commits to Oklahoma Sooners football
One of the nation's fastest recruiting rises has officially come to an end. Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin defensive line recruit Brian Harris, who saw his recruitment go national earlier this year, came off the board on Friday afternoon. Advertisement "Im going to Oklahoma, proud to be a Boomer Sooner," he told Rivals. "The constant communication was big. Coach (Brent) Venables has such an infectious personality. Having that family background, also with Coach (Todd) Bates -- I feel like I'm so connected with that family. "The first time I was out there, it was a different feeling. I went with my family and we all said, 'this is where it's at.' I knew where I was going." The blue-chip prospect checked in with a pair of former top recruits in Norman expected to continue to work the middle in 2025. It can be viewed as a passing of the torch, of sorts. "I talked to David Stone and Jayden Jackson, where I can learn from the best group in the nation," Harris said. "Their career hopefully goes well and I'll be stepping up as next up, and I'm ready for that leadership role. Advertisement "They (OU) see me as a 3-tech, 4-tech, bouncing outside and inside since I can play anything. I told Coach V, 'if you want to line me up at linebacker and fill up a hole, you can.' They see me being a third-down pass rush guy and making an immediate impact my freshman year." The swift rise of Oklahoma on Harris' list had plenty to do with those calling the shots at the SEC program, too. It created a buy-in in short order. "It means a whole lot to me," he said. "Everywhere Coach V has been, he has won. So I'm proud to say I'm going to that school and I carry it with a badge of honor." CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info There was an original plan to make a slew of official visits. Harris took one, to West Virginia, and realized his schedule was a bit too ambitious. Advertisement It came with the trim to the five finalists before OU won out over Alabama, Michigan, Penn State and South Carolina. It looks like those penciled in trips are erased for good, outside of a June return to Norman of course. He'll sport a recruiting cap on that trip, too. "Complete shutdown," Harris said. "I can say my recruitment is shut down, I'm 100 percent committed. I'm only taking one official visit, and it will be to OU. I might change it to pair with my dog Jake Kreul. He's a dog. Good players want to play with good players." With the bulk of the recruiting process now behind, the newest OU commitment is focused on the 2025 season at Mandarin High and representing the program until his arrival. Advertisement "You're going to see the best out of me," Harris said. "A dominant force. Someone who can make an impact on the field. I'm gonna live in the backfield. "I'm home. I'm gonna be a Boomer Sooner than later." SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OKLAHOMA FANS AT
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Taconic State Parkway crash victim Robert Violante was a beloved N.J. football coach
Robert Violante, head football coach at New Jersey's Bergenfield High School, was killed in a horrific accident on the Taconic State Parkway in New York. Bergenfield's superintendent and mayor confirmed Violante was one of the four people who died in the fiery collision Wednesday in Westchester County. "It is with profound sorrow that I write to inform you of the passing of our beloved high school faculty member, head football coach, and track coach, Mr. Robert Violante — known affectionately to many as "Coach V," Bergenfield Superintendent Christopher Tully wrote in a letter to students, staff and parents Thursday. "His unexpected loss is deeply felt across our entire school community, and we know that Bergenfield High School and our town will never be the same without him. He died in a tragic car accident on the way home from school yesterday." Violante started working for the district as a special education teacher 15 years ago, the letter said. Robert Violante, head football coach at New Jersey's Bergenfield High School, died in the fiery crash on the Taconic State Parkway on May 14, 2025, officials confirmed. Bergenfield Public School District "Many fondly compared him to Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in Kindergarten Cop, a gentle giant guiding young children with care and strength," Tully wrote. "His heart of gold and unwavering support made him a beloved figure in our schools." Grief counselors are being made available to Bergenfield students and staff in the wake of Violante's death, the superintendent said. "Our community is grieving right now, especially the kids in school," Mayor Arvin Amatorio said in a statement to CBS News New York. The New Jersey Football Coaches Association said on social media, "The NJFCA has waken up to the tragic news of Coach Rob Violante's sudden passing. He was an outstanding coach, mentor, friend & family man. Please join us in sending our collective support to his loved ones, his staff, his players & the Bergenfield community. RIP Coach Violante." Information about memorial services for Violante will be shared on the school's website when available, Tully said. 4 dead in Taconic State Parkway crash The fatal crash happened at around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday near Saw Mill River Road in New Castle. New York State Police said the driver of a Sprinter van going southbound crossed the median into the northbound lanes and struck a Honda sedan. The van overturned and burst into flames. Three people in the van were pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver was hospitalized in critical condition. The Honda driver died from their injuries at the hospital. Officials did not immediately say which car Violante was in. The names of the three other victims have not yet been released. Mark Prussin Mark Prussin is a digital producer at CBS New York. He covers breaking news, sports, politics and trending stories in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mark joined the CBS New York team in 2019. contributed to this report.
