Two stories have thrust Memphis into the national spotlight over the last 24 hours. The first actually started Sunday when North Carolina State made a trip to Memphis to lure away Tigers basketball coach John Calipari.

As they story was building, word came yesterday morning that businessman Logan Young was found dead at his Memphis home. As the day wore on, we learned of details from the scene which led confirmed it was a murder investigation.

This morning we wake up with the good news that Coach Cal is staying in Memphis. Add to it the sad news that Young's son is being questioned in his father's death.

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Thanks to my friends Wayne & Lee at WNSP-FM in Mobile, Ala., for having me on this morning to talk about these two stories.

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I was asked Sunday night what I thought Cal would do. I had just arrived back in town after tending to a family matter in Atlanta, so I was out-of-the-loop, so to speak. Heck, I had just missed the Memphis Tigers spring football game; little did I know basketball was still making headlines.

All along I thought Cal would stay. Memphis has Final Four talent on board next year & Cal has spent many seasons trying to get the program to this point. When Memphis agreed to sweeten his contract here, I think it became an easy choice for him to stay.

I am not saying there weren't some times during this whole process that Tigers fans shouldn't have been nervous. Anytime someone wants your coach, proceed cautiously. Sometimes they make an offer you can't refuse. But right now, Cal is good for the university & the university is good for Cal.

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What's being written about Calipari:

Ken Tysian, Charlotte Observer - Calipari won't join Pack
John Calipari apparently will accept a raise and stay at Memphis instead of accepting an offer to coach basketball at N.C. State, a source close to the Memphis athletics program said Tuesday.

Chip Alexander & Caulton Tudor, Raleigh News-Observer - Calipari spurns State
Those with knowledge of the search say Texas coach Rick Barnes and Calipari were far and away the Pack's top two targets. Now that both have rejected NCSU's entreaties, Wolfpack athletics director Lee Fowler may next contact LSU coach John Brady, who guided the Tigers to the Final Four this year.

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One raise & contract extension came from the University of Memphis yesterday with little drama. Football coach Tommy West received an extension through 2010 along with an unspecified raise putting him somewhere between his old salary of $800,000 & $1 million.

The new deal also means more money for assistants. I fully believe a huge part of Tommy's success comes from little turnover at key positions on his staff.

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Southern Mississippi is still committed to improvements to their facilities, even in Hurrican Katrina has altered the plan slightly.

Athletic director Richard Giannini tells the Clarion-Ledger construction could start on some projects this fall, with much-needed improvements finished at the football stadium & basketball coliseum by 2008.

Not only did Katrina delay the start, it has sent construction costs skyrocketing as everyone around the region is rebuilding in the hurricane's aftermath.

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What's in a name? For former boxing great Muhammad Ali it's $50 million. Ali sold 80-percent of marketing rights to his name & likeness to a marketing firm CKX, the same company which holds rights to American Idol & the name of Elvis Presley.

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