Matt Baker
@mattbakercfb.bsky.social
National college sports reporter for The Athletic
NEWS: The College Sports Commission has opened an investigation into LSU over potential unreported NIL deal(s). The Tigers are the first known program under an inquiry from the new enforcement body.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
LSU becomes first major target of College Sports Commission investigation
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:11 PM
NEWS: The College Sports Commission has opened an investigation into LSU over potential unreported NIL deal(s). The Tigers are the first known program under an inquiry from the new enforcement body.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
We've got some🔥🔥🔥takes and predictions for the 2026 season here. A couple of them are doozies! www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Early 2026 college football predictions for the national title, Heisman Trophy and more
Twenty-eight writers and editors at The Athletic make picks for next season's CFP and conference championships, plus the Heisman and more.
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:44 PM
We've got some🔥🔥🔥takes and predictions for the 2026 season here. A couple of them are doozies! www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Saturday marks the end of Jim Phillips' fifth year as ACC commissioner. A tiny bit has happened since then. I caught up with him this week for a wide-ranging Q&A about where the league has been and where it's going. On Notre Dame, conference expansion, $ and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
State of the ACC: Jim Phillips talks realignment, Notre Dame and big college sports changes
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Saturday marks the end of Jim Phillips' fifth year as ACC commissioner. A tiny bit has happened since then. I caught up with him this week for a wide-ranging Q&A about where the league has been and where it's going. On Notre Dame, conference expansion, $ and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Reposted by Matt Baker
SOURCE: Duke QB Darian Mensah and Duke WR Cooper Barkate both have committed to Miami after visiting UM today.
January 28, 2026 at 3:15 AM
SOURCE: Duke QB Darian Mensah and Duke WR Cooper Barkate both have committed to Miami after visiting UM today.
Procedural update on this...Duke and Mensah have informed the court that they've reached a confidential agreement to end the case, dismiss the TRO that prevented Mensah from changing schools, etc.
Formally closing the loop.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Formally closing the loop.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Duke, Darian Mensah reach resolution allowing star QB to transfer elsewhere
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Procedural update on this...Duke and Mensah have informed the court that they've reached a confidential agreement to end the case, dismiss the TRO that prevented Mensah from changing schools, etc.
Formally closing the loop.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Formally closing the loop.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Reposted by Matt Baker
What Curt Cignetti did at Indiana over the past two years was the most remarkable turnaround job anyone has ever done in football. @theathletic.com asked other college coaches what they can take from the Hoosiers example, and we got some great insight: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
What college football coaches say they’ve learned from Indiana’s championship turnaround
"It’s super inspiring. If you can do it at Indiana, you can do it anywhere," one head coach said.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:16 PM
What Curt Cignetti did at Indiana over the past two years was the most remarkable turnaround job anyone has ever done in football. @theathletic.com asked other college coaches what they can take from the Hoosiers example, and we got some great insight: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
So @williamsjustin.bsky.social and I spent all day yesterday writing this detailed explainer on the Duke-Darian Mensah thing, including how it might end. Guess we have our answer: a settlement announced this morning
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Darian Mensah vs. Duke: How experts saw a first-of-its-kind college sports case
Lawyers specializing in sports, entertainment or employment weigh in about this first-of-its-kind case and where it’s going.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:31 PM
So @williamsjustin.bsky.social and I spent all day yesterday writing this detailed explainer on the Duke-Darian Mensah thing, including how it might end. Guess we have our answer: a settlement announced this morning
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
I'm glad our Antonio Morales wrote about a question I've been wondering: Why don't schools develop quarterbacks anymore?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Why don’t college football programs develop quarterbacks anymore?
"This era just forces you to constantly win, which removes the ability to have growing pains with a young quarterback," a P4 coach said.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:44 PM
I'm glad our Antonio Morales wrote about a question I've been wondering: Why don't schools develop quarterbacks anymore?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
My colleagues and I closed the book on the 2025 college football season with some final thoughts and takeaways plus a prediction that won't be loved here in SEC country.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
What’s next after Indiana broke college football? 2025 takeaways and early 2026 predictions
Who could be the next Indiana? Who might flop in 2026? Our writers weigh in with their takeaways from 2025 and thoughts on what's ahead.
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:55 PM
My colleagues and I closed the book on the 2025 college football season with some final thoughts and takeaways plus a prediction that won't be loved here in SEC country.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Our updated story with the latest between Duke and star QB Darian Mensah. I've had a couple folks (not involved in the case) suggest to me that the bond in this case isn't very big given the stakes, if you want to try to read tea leaves.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Duke's Mensah can enter portal but can't play elsewhere, judge says in order
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Our updated story with the latest between Duke and star QB Darian Mensah. I've had a couple folks (not involved in the case) suggest to me that the bond in this case isn't very big given the stakes, if you want to try to read tea leaves.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
We're updating our story on Duke QB Darian Mensah entering the portal after a N.C. judge released an order today. Basically, Mensah can enter the portal but can't enroll elsewhere, license his NIL elsewhere or play football elsewhere for the time being.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Duke to enter Mensah into transfer portal as legal battle continues: Source
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:59 PM
We're updating our story on Duke QB Darian Mensah entering the portal after a N.C. judge released an order today. Basically, Mensah can enter the portal but can't enroll elsewhere, license his NIL elsewhere or play football elsewhere for the time being.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Another first (we think) in college football. The Duke-Darian Mensah lawsuit
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Duke sues Darian Mensah over star QB's ability to enter transfer portal
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Another first (we think) in college football. The Duke-Darian Mensah lawsuit
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Some more from the bedlam in Bloomington yesterday, in video form.
January 20, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Some more from the bedlam in Bloomington yesterday, in video form.
In downtown Bloomington, 100 people scaled a building and sang “We are the Champions” with the crowd below.
Because the Hoo-Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers are champions.
In football.
On bedlam and disbelief from the ground in Bloomington
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Because the Hoo-Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers are champions.
In football.
On bedlam and disbelief from the ground in Bloomington
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Hoo-Hoo-Hoo Hoosiers revel in once unthinkable Indiana football national title
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:10 PM
In downtown Bloomington, 100 people scaled a building and sang “We are the Champions” with the crowd below.
Because the Hoo-Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers are champions.
In football.
On bedlam and disbelief from the ground in Bloomington
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Because the Hoo-Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers are champions.
In football.
On bedlam and disbelief from the ground in Bloomington
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Downtown Bloomington is still standing after last night.
January 20, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Downtown Bloomington is still standing after last night.
I've never seen anything like what I saw tonight. Er, this morning. Whatever. I'm just glad I have feeling in my fingers again
January 20, 2026 at 8:13 AM
I've never seen anything like what I saw tonight. Er, this morning. Whatever. I'm just glad I have feeling in my fingers again
This is what it feels like to be an Indiana fan right now
January 20, 2026 at 2:58 AM
This is what it feels like to be an Indiana fan right now
We’re live-blogging Miami-IU here, if you’d like to join us. I’ll have my updates from the Assembly Hall watch party over there. www.nytimes.com/athletic/col...
January 19, 2026 at 11:28 PM
We’re live-blogging Miami-IU here, if you’d like to join us. I’ll have my updates from the Assembly Hall watch party over there. www.nytimes.com/athletic/col...
This is the handiwork of Rayna Boessler and her six roommates in Bloomington. If there’s one thing sorority girls know how to do, she told me, it’s make signs and banners out of sheets.
January 19, 2026 at 9:06 PM
This is the handiwork of Rayna Boessler and her six roommates in Bloomington. If there’s one thing sorority girls know how to do, she told me, it’s make signs and banners out of sheets.
Vinny Sarkine is among the many still trying to get into one of Bloomington’s main bars. He’s says the whole thing is surreal.
He’s not wrong
He’s not wrong
January 19, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Vinny Sarkine is among the many still trying to get into one of Bloomington’s main bars. He’s says the whole thing is surreal.
He’s not wrong
He’s not wrong
Reposted by Matt Baker
✍️ Only three FBS college head coaches have been fired from a HC job and later gone on to win a national championship.
Mario Cristobal could become the fourth.
How his controversial firing at FIU shaped him at Miami.
“That drives us both every day."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Mario Cristobal could become the fourth.
How his controversial firing at FIU shaped him at Miami.
“That drives us both every day."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
The time Mario Cristobal got fired, and how it shaped Miami’s path to the mountaintop
Before the biggest game of his career, Cristobal chose to look at the positives. His FIU exit helped get him to the doorstep of history.
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:03 PM
✍️ Only three FBS college head coaches have been fired from a HC job and later gone on to win a national championship.
Mario Cristobal could become the fourth.
How his controversial firing at FIU shaped him at Miami.
“That drives us both every day."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Mario Cristobal could become the fourth.
How his controversial firing at FIU shaped him at Miami.
“That drives us both every day."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
These photos show *part* of the line to get into The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington. I talked to a couple guys who have been waiting since 9 last night.
Current windchill: minus-8.
How do you stay warm in this, I asked them.
Answer: “You don’t.”
IU-Miami kicks off in 9+ hours
Current windchill: minus-8.
How do you stay warm in this, I asked them.
Answer: “You don’t.”
IU-Miami kicks off in 9+ hours
January 19, 2026 at 3:09 PM
These photos show *part* of the line to get into The Upstairs Pub in Bloomington. I talked to a couple guys who have been waiting since 9 last night.
Current windchill: minus-8.
How do you stay warm in this, I asked them.
Answer: “You don’t.”
IU-Miami kicks off in 9+ hours
Current windchill: minus-8.
How do you stay warm in this, I asked them.
Answer: “You don’t.”
IU-Miami kicks off in 9+ hours
Back home again in Indiana. The Indy airport is certainly ready for a big game tomorrow
January 19, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Back home again in Indiana. The Indy airport is certainly ready for a big game tomorrow
I was born and raised in Indiana. My neighborhood was surrounded by corn and soybeans. So believe me when I say this: Indiana is a bigger and better football state than you think, and it all comes back to some guy named Peyton.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Peyton Manning changed football in Indiana. Did he pave the way for Hoosiers’ CFP run?
I grew up in Indiana and saw attitudes about football change with the Colts. Now the Hoosiers are capitalizing in an unlikely Playoff run.
www.nytimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
I was born and raised in Indiana. My neighborhood was surrounded by corn and soybeans. So believe me when I say this: Indiana is a bigger and better football state than you think, and it all comes back to some guy named Peyton.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
USF has realized the contract for new head FB coach Brian Hartline.
6 seasons, $3.5 million/year (base + supplemental income)
Staff salary pool = $6.2M this year
If Hartline leaves (ie for another job) before the end of the '27 season, he'd owe $5M. Down to $3M the next year
6 seasons, $3.5 million/year (base + supplemental income)
Staff salary pool = $6.2M this year
If Hartline leaves (ie for another job) before the end of the '27 season, he'd owe $5M. Down to $3M the next year
January 15, 2026 at 6:19 PM
USF has realized the contract for new head FB coach Brian Hartline.
6 seasons, $3.5 million/year (base + supplemental income)
Staff salary pool = $6.2M this year
If Hartline leaves (ie for another job) before the end of the '27 season, he'd owe $5M. Down to $3M the next year
6 seasons, $3.5 million/year (base + supplemental income)
Staff salary pool = $6.2M this year
If Hartline leaves (ie for another job) before the end of the '27 season, he'd owe $5M. Down to $3M the next year