Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Report: Mike McCarthy not in Saints’ plans, focused on ’26

Mike McCarthy is out of the running for the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching job and no longer plans to coach in 2025, ESPN reported late Tuesday.

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t renew the contract of McCarthy following a 7-10 season in 2024. He was 49-35 with two NFC East titles in five seasons in Dallas. He is 174-112-2 in 18 seasons as a head coach, including 125 wins and a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers (2006-18).

McCarthy, 61, was scheduled to have a first interview with the Saints this week but instead will focus on the 2026 hiring cycle, ESPN and NFL Network reported.

He interviewed for the vacancy in Chicago earlier this month before the Bears hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

The Saints are currently the only team without a head coach after firing Dennis Allen in November after a 2-7 start. New Orleans went 3-5 under interim coach Darren Rizzi.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has emerged as a “lead candidate,” ESPN reported. He is one of three candidates who have conducted second interviews with the Saints, along with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; A detailed view of Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet on the sideline during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Notre Dame lands 2026 4-star OL Ben Nichols

Notre Dame received a commitment Tuesday from four-star offensive lineman Ben Nichols of Davison, Mich.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound prospect is ranked as the nation’s No. 16 interior lineman in the Class of 2026 by the 247Sports composite. He is the No. 3 recruit in the state of Michigan.

Nichols chose coach Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish over Tennessee, Penn State and Wisconsin.

“Historically they’re the best offensive line program anyone can go with,” Nichols told On3.

“… I love the coaches. Coach Freeman, Coach (Joe) Rudolph, all those guys are really cool. Great academic school as well. Those are the top factors that stuck out to me.”

Nichols is the third four-star commitment for Notre Dame’s 2026 class, joining linebacker Thomas Davis (Matthews, N.C.) and quarterback Noah Grubbs (Lake Mary, Fla.).

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs cheerleaders walk in with the team during the dawg walk before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

4-star 2026 WR Vance Spafford commits to Georgia

Vance Spafford, the No. 10-ranked wide receiver in the 2026 class, committed to Georgia on Tuesday.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Spafford picked the Bulldogs over offers from Oregon, Nebraska and Ole Miss.

In the first nine games of the regular season for 10-0 Mission Viejo (Calif.), the four-star prospect caught 44 passes for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The 247Sports composite also ranks Spafford as the overall No. 10 player in California and No. 65 in the nation.

Spafford told 247Sports he was sold on Georgia after a trip to Athens.

“The football team is made up of the best of the best,” Spafford said. “When I went on my visit there earlier this season, I just noticed how amazing their offensive line was, how much time Carson Beck had to throw, so why not join a team that is going to throw the ball like that? The program will always attract the best players and it’s got a winning culture, so that’s something that really was hard to turn down for me.

“The SEC is the best football in the nation. When you’re at Georgia practicing against the best every day, it prepares you to play against the best and it’s the closest to being in the NFL, which is where I want to go. I want to be challenged every day.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank on the red carpet before the NFL Honors show at Resorts World Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Atlanta to host Super Bowl LXII in 2028

Atlanta will host Super Bowl LXII in 2028, the NFL announced Tuesday.

It will be the second Super Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, following Super Bowl LIII in February 2019, and the fourth for Atlanta. Super Bowl XXVIII in January 1994 and SB XXXIV in January 2000 were played at the Georgia Dome.

The announcement came at the fall league meeting in Atlanta.

“Renowned for its hospitality and rich sports and entertainment culture, Atlanta is a world-class event destination and a natural fit for Super Bowl 62,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “(Falcons owner) Arthur Blank has been a transformative figure in the Atlanta community, playing a crucial role in leading the bid to bring the Super Bowl back to the city. I have been fortunate to witness firsthand how Arthur continues to drive community engagement and economic development in the Atlanta community through his unwavering commitment to sports and philanthropy. We look forward to working with him, the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Sports Council and all of our partners on the ground to create an unforgettable experience for fans around the world in 2028.”

The next big game, Super Bowl LIX, will be played at the Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., will host the 2026 game, with the 2027 Super Bowl set for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

–Field Level Media

Fans stop to take photos with the College Football National Championship trophy at Meijer in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. The trophy is going on a tour for fans to see presented by Dr. Pepper.

CFP committee discusses 14-team playoff for 2026

With the ink not yet dry on the new 12-team playoff format that will begin in 2024, the College Football Playoff management committee discussed the idea of a 14-team playoff, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

Any additional expansion wouldn’t happen until 2026, if at all. The idea was discussed during CFP meetings in the Dallas area on Wednesday.

“Fourteen teams is a possibility,” Mike Aresco, CFP committee member and outgoing commissioner of the American Athletic Conference, told some reporters.

The CFP on Tuesday just approved a 5+7 model for the upcoming season, featuring the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams.

Under the 12-team playoff format that begins in the fall, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four for the CFP tournament and will receive a first-round bye. Teams seeded five through 12 will play each other in the first round at the home of the higher-ranked team.

It’s unclear what a 14-team format would look like, per the reports.

Aresco announced his retirement in December and will leave after May 31.

–Field Level Media