Nick Saban Downplays Shane Gillis 'Cheater' Jab ... At Least My Daughter Thinks He's Funny!!!

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Nick Saban is being a good sport amid his silly beef with Shane Gillis ... saying he understands the comedian was doing his job when cracking a joke about paying players during his legendary tenure at Alabama -- while proving he's got a sense of humor himself.

The "Tires" star initially made the comments on "College GameDay" earlier this month ... claiming Notre Dame is able to compete now that all schools allow student-athletes to get compensated for their accomplishments -- and not just Bama and the SEC in previous years.

Gillis claimed he was just teasing Saban -- who he referred to as "Alabama Jones" due to his hat choice that day -- and admitted he didn't REALLY think there was shady business going on in the conference.

Tommy Lazzaro Ex-Central Mich. Star Dead At 27 ... After Hunting Accident

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Former Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Tommy Lazzaro has passed away, the school announced Thursday. He was just 27 years old.

Lazzaro -- a Monument, Colorado native -- was involved in a fatal hunting accident this past Sunday in Florida, according to multiple reports.

Lazzaro made 20 career appearances for the Chippewas ... and was part of the team that went 8-6 and made it to the MAC Championship Game against Miami (OH) in 2019. He led the team with two touchdowns in the contest.

Jayden Daniels Hunter Can Play Both Ways In NFL ... He's Special!!!

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ENJOY THE PROCESS
TMZSports.com

Jayden Daniels sure seems confident Travis Hunter can continue dominating on both offense and defense even in the pros ... telling TMZ Sports the Colorado star is "a special player."

Hunter, of course, just won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday for the way he played both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffs in 2024 ... but many in the NFL world have wondered if he can keep that two-way stardom going after he gets drafted in April.

Daniels -- who's currently tearing up the league in his rookie season with the Commanders -- certainly believes he can ... and, in fact, he's cheering for him to do so.

Livvy Dunne Dives Into Xmas Eve ... Bikini-Clad Polar Plunge!!!

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TAKIN' A CHILLY DIP

Forget the Polar Express, Livvy Dunne's opting for the Polar Plunge this Christmas Eve ... taking a freezing ocean dip in nothing but a tiny bikini!!

The LSU gymnast performed the impressive feat in 32-degree weather just before Santa Claus came to her town ... and fortunately for all of her followers, she filmed the whole thing.

Dunne -- wearing a red two-piece -- took to the water like a champ ... and dove head first into the icy aqua, before she raced out to grab a warm towel.

Pacman Jones To Dez Bryant 'Shut The F*** Up' About Travis Hunter's Relationship!!!

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Pacman Jones is clearly sick and tired of hearing people give their thoughts on Travis Hunter's relationship ... because he just told Dez Bryant to "shut the f*** up" about the couple.

The former NFL cornerback went in on the ex-Cowboys superstar during a rant on his "Pacman Jones Show" this week ... saying straight up Dez needs to keep his thoughts on Hunter and his fiancée, Leanna Lenee, to himself.

The 41-year-old added that anyone else with hot takes on the issue should pipe down as well.

UNC Alum Danny Green Fired Up For Belichick Hiring ... 'I'm All About It!!!'

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GREAT FOR THE PROGRAM
TMZSports.com

Three-time NBA champion Danny Green is fired up for his alma mater's football team ... telling TMZ Sports he really thinks Bill Belichick can turn UNC around.

The former New England Patriots head man stunned the sports world this month when he took the Tar Heels coaching job ... and while some are skeptical he can effectively make the turn from the pros to college, Green made it clear to us out at LAX he's not in that camp.

"I'm on board," said the 37-year-old -- who attended UNC from 2005 through 2009. "I'm all about it. I think it's great."

Nate Burleson to Travis Hunter Keep Your Love Life Private To Avoid The Haters

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FIND THE RIGHT PASSENGER
TMZSports.com

Travis Hunter can only blame himself for his relationship being a hot topic -- at least that's what Nate Burleson is saying ... 'cause he tells TMZ Sports the Heisman winner could've avoided all the criticism if he just kept quiet about his private life.

The Colorado superstar and his fiancée, Leanna, have been forced to defend themselves from the haters recently ... following months of piling on from folks on the internet.

Burleson weighed in on the drama out in NYC this week ... and he politely pointed out the engaged couple brought it on themselves.

Bill Belichick Wins Are Cool And All ... But I Care About Championships!!!

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WINS NOT A FACTOR
ESPN

Bill Belichick is only 15 wins away from passing Don Shula for the most head coaching wins in NFL history ... but he claims that wasn't on his mind before he took his new gig with North Carolina -- 'cause what he really cares about is championships.

Days after his introductory press conference in Chapel Hill, Bill gave an update on his first few days on the job during his appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show" ... saying he's been busy recruiting high school players and working the transfer portal as he starts to build out his roster.

The 72-year-old was then asked about seemingly giving up on being the winningest coach in NFL history as a result of his move to the NCAA ... but he's making it clear there's something that holds much more weight in his eyes.

Travis Hunter Defends Fiancée After Backlash ... 'We're Inseparable'

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Travis Hunter is coming to his fiancée's defense after a drama-filled few days ... saying all the haters need to find something better to do with their free time, 'cause Leanna Lenee is going nowhere.

The 21-year-old became the second Colorado player to ever win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday ... and while it was a major accomplishment in Hunter's life, some of the talk on social media was what went down at a meet and greet with his fans over the weekend.

A clip made rounds showing Hunter taking photos with fans while Leanna was sitting on a nearby couch ... and at one point, she said, "What do you want me to do ... I just sit here then."

President Joe Biden Commutes 20 Year Prison Sentence ... Infamous U of Miami Booster Nevin Shapiro

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President Joe Biden commuted the two-decade-long prison sentence of University of Miami booster and Ponzi scheme mastermind Nevin Shapiro ... who previously admitted to illegally plying players with expensive gifts.

The commutation of the 55-year-old convicted felon was one of 1,499 handed down by Biden on Thursday ... a one-day record for a POTUS.

Shapiro pled guilty to 8 felony counts -- and was sentenced to 20 years in Federal prison -- for his role in a $900+ million Ponzi scheme, which he ran from his Capital Investments office in Miami.

Bill Belichick GF Follows UNC Cheer Accounts ... Sign Of Impending Deal?!?

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If Tar Heels fans needed further proof a deal for Bill Belichick might be imminent ... look no further than his girlfriend's Instagram page -- she just followed two UNC cheer accounts.

Jordon Hudson -- a former college cheerleader who still competes on the mats -- added @carolinacheerleading and @unc_allgirlcheer to her following list on Wednesday ... a clue that Belichick could be inching toward officially being named the next head coach of the Tar Heels football team.

The first account Jordon subscribed to describes itself as the "official Instagram for the University of North Carolina cheerleading program," while the second touts itself to be the landing page for UNC's competitive club cheerleading squad.

Bill Belichick Girlfriend Weighs In On UNC Rumors ... Supports Move To Chapel Hill

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UPDATE

Bill Belichick just confirmed on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he does indeed have interest in the UNC job ... and he did speak further about the role with Tar Heels officials earlier this week.

Seems Bill Belichick's girlfriend wouldn't mind seeing him in Carolina blue ... 'cause Jordon Hudson's social media activity on Monday indicated she's a fan of him accepting the vacant UNC head coaching job.

Hudson wrote in a comment on her Instagram page to a Tar Heel supporter that sure appeared to be a stamp of approval on Bill potentially going to Chapel Hill in 2025.

The UNC backer wrote to Jordon, "Tell Bill to come to UNC!!" ... and she responded by saying, "I'll pass the message along..."

H.S. QB Jake Balanovich I Beat Tom Brady In Throwing Contest ... Here's My Plan For The $100K Winnings!!!

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GOIN' SHOPPING
TMZSports.com

The Florida high school quarterback who beat Tom Brady in a passing competition apparently has a solid head on his shoulders to go along with a great throwing arm ... 'cause he tells TMZ Sports he's got very modest plans for his $100K winnings.

If you haven't seen it yet, Jake Balanovich scored the big payday as part of MrBeast's recent competition video ... where the senior popped four balloons with a football just before Brady could.

Many expected the teenager to do something extravagant with the prize ... but he said in an interview with us this week he's "just planning on being smart with that money, not blowing it on anything dumb."

Hercy Miller Coach Addreses Fridge Theft Says It's 'A Huge Misunderstanding'

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Hercy Miller -- Master P's son -- was arrested last month, after he and a pair of his Southern Utah University men's basketball teammates allegedly stole a couple of refrigerators from outside their school's bookstore ... but their coach is adamant it's all "a huge misunderstanding."

According to court documents, obtained by KUTV, the theft occurred at the SUU campus in Cedar City, Utah back on Nov. 11.

The docs state that Hercy and two other Thunderbirds players, Brock Felder and Peter Dadson Jr., were seen on surveillance video nabbing the coolers from the SUU Bookstore, before loading them into two separate cars.

University of Arizona Football Defensive Assistant Headbutts Player ... Bleeding From Forehead

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A University of Arizona defensive assistant is going to wake up with a splitting headache Sunday ... 'cause he headbutted a player wearing a helmet out of excitement -- and cut his forehead wide-open.

Chuck Cecil -- a senior defensive assistant with the Wildcats -- was hyping up one of his guys pregame ... grabbing cornerback Owen Goss' helmet and slamming his head hard into the player's.

Goss was wearing a helmet ... but Cecil wasn't -- and, after smashing his head into the player's three times, he was clearly bleeding.

Brett Favre Deion Coaching The Dallas Cowboys??? ... I Could See It!!!

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GIVE COACH PRIME A CHANCE
TMZSports.com

It wouldn't surprise Brett Favre if Deion Sanders is the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys ... the Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports he thinks the move is certainly possible.

America's Team, of course, is currently managed by Mike McCarthy ... but with the squad floundering at 4-7 and his contract slated to end following the season, there's been a whole lot of speculation Jerry Jones could be looking for a new sideline guy in 2025.

And, with Sanders' ties to Dallas and his impressive résumés at both Colorado and Jackson State -- Favre says he could see a situation where Jones taps Prime Time to be that man.