Yardbarker

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

Former Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph arrested on multiple charges

Joseph served as interim coach at Nebraska following Scott Frost's September firing. In his nine games as coach, the Cornhuskers went 3-6.

It's beginning to look a lot like it's prime time for Deion Sanders to make the FBS jump

Deion Sanders will reportedly make a decision on his coaching future after Jackson State's SWAC Championship Game appearance.

Legendary broadcaster Gus Johnson reveals national title pick

Johnson's made a lot of great calls over the years. His pick for who will be national champion is as strong as any.

Thursday's Costa Rica-Germany World Cup match will be historic

Stephanie Frappart was the first woman to officiate a World Cup match when she was given the assignment of refereeing the Mexico-Poland match on Nov. 22. She'll be joined by two other women for this game.

The ESPN-to-coach pipeline continues with latest coaching hire by UAB

He’s the second former ESPN analyst this month to land a coaching gig.

College Football Playoff semifinals take shape with latest rankings

There's potential for some reshuffling, but the deck chairs are close to being bolted down. It will take a storm system bigger than what may be possible to shift them out of place.

American World Cup victory sets up epic sports day on Saturday

After a thrilling 1-0 victory over Iran, the U.S. is on to the Round of 16 on Saturday, a day that's filled with high-stakes action for sports fans. 

Despite his denials, expect NFL teams to circle Jim Harbaugh this offseason

The last time the lights went out on Jim Harbaugh in the NFL, his team nearly won a Super Bowl. Some expect Harbaugh to try to flip the switch back on his NFL career this offseason.

Max Duggan's odds of Heisman invite increase with Tuesday announcement

Max Duggan was announced as one of three finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award -- given annually to the best college football QB -- on Tuesday. Does that tell us anything about a possible Heisman nomination? 

A Freeze on the plains: Icy reaction to Auburn's head coaching decision

Hugh Freeze is Auburn's new head coach, per Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger. The reception has been icy. 

Russell Wilson trade worse than infamous Herschel Walker deal?

Five games into the 1989 season, with the Cowboys 0-5 and rebuilding, the team sent Walker and three draft picks to the Vikings for four players and eight draft picks. Dallas' haul included three first and three second-round draft picks.

Freeze frame: Why has Auburn's coaching search crawled to a halt?

Forty-eight hours after it was reported that Auburn had zeroed in on Hugh Freeze as its next head coach, all is quiet on the Tigers front.

Russell Wilson's stalled ride has Denver experiencing buyer's remorse

As the Broncos' season seemingly gets worse with each passing week, what can the team do to make sure 2022 is an aberration and not a trend?

Commanders RB Brian Robinson had a big day and an even bigger hat

Don't expect Robinson to let the success he had on Sunday give him a big head. But if it does, he has the hat to fill it.

Clemson out of CFP discussion with shocking loss to South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks came up with a huge upset victory over No. 8 Clemson to knock the Tigers out of the conversation for the College Football Playoff.

Auburn reportedly hiring Hugh Freeze, passing on promoting Cadillac Williams

Auburn is closing in on Hugh Freeze as its next head coach, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. After Lane Kiffin ignored the team's advances, the reported decision to go with Freeze shows how far Auburn has fallen.

No. 1 North Carolina's loss to unranked Iowa State not as surprising as it looks

The season is young, but the Tar Heels are developing bad habits that could prevent them from getting where they ultimately want to go.

Do The Wave: Tulane a win away from New Year's Six game with win over Cincinnati

 The Wave is making a comeback. No, not that one (although, it can come along for the ride). It's the Green Wave that's making the biggest comeback following a two-win 2021 season.

Scoreless tie for USMNT bad for fans, great for team

For the first time in World Cup history, a U.S. soccer match ended in a 0-0 draw. 

USA's chances of reaching round of 16 greatly increase with shocking Iran-Wales result

After a stunning 2-0 Iran victory over Wales on Friday, the U.S. is in a great position to reach the round of 16.

This play shows the NFL still doesn't know what a catch is

The most consequential play of Thursday night’s Patriots-Vikings game didn’t count. 

That you, LeBron? Viral tweet shows L.A. Lakers star's lookalike in World Cup match

In addition to being a future Hall of Fame basketball player, James also has his own production company with business partner Maverick Carter called SpringHill Company and, apparently, has a blossoming soccer career.

Recent news shows Ole Miss has even less reason to worry about losing Lane Kiffin

While the issue appears to be dead and buried, until Auburn lands on a new coach, concerns will remain in Oxford over Kiffin's future. The Ole Miss faithful may be able to breathe a sigh of relief after an announcement from the school's biggest NIL collective. 

Watch: CeeDee Lamb makes one-handed catch, nearly comes down with another

Pass interference was called on Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes, but even that wasn't enough to prevent Lamb from coming down with the slick one-handed catch. On Turkey Day, Lamb feasted.