NCAAF

East Carolina names Blake Harrell head coach

One of the most reactionary things a program can do is name an interim head coach the full-time head coach. It can be short sighted and impulsive, robbing a team of a thorough coaching search. East Carolina is doing just that in this situation, but it would’ve risked damaging morale if it didn’t grant Harrell the job.

After all, the Pirates are 4-0 since Harrell took over as interim head coach, exploding offensively in a way that hasn’t been seen in Greenville since 2013. The East Carolina job is one of the harder — and unattractive — jobs in the AAC, so I understand this decision.

Grade: C+

MLB

Angels sign SP Yusei Kikuchi to three-year, $63 million contract

Meh. I applaud the Angels for being aggressive this offseason, but this is a fairly big — too big — commitment. Since coming over from Japan in 2019, Kikuchi has been merely average as a starting pitcher, eating innings, but meandering his way to a 4.57 career ERA. To be fair, the 33-year-old was excellent after being traded to the Astros last season, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA. If the left-hander remains close to that level, the Angels are getting a steal. Otherwise, this is an overpay, to say the least. I’d bet on the latter.

Grade: C-