Wake Forest fires radio analyst for attempting to leak game plans

Wake Forest on Tuesday night fired a former assistant coach-turned-broadcaster who the school says attempted to leak football game plans to opponents for three years.

The school announced the findings of a nearly monthlong internal investigation that started after documents related to the team’s game plan for the Louisville game were discovered at the Cardinals’ stadium. The school said it determined Tommy Elrod either provided or attempted to provide “confidential and proprietary game preparations on multiple occasions” starting in 2014.

Elrod, a former Wake Forest player and assistant under former coach Jim Grobe, was not retained when Dave Clawson succeeded Grobe in 2014. He became an analyst for the IMG College radio broadcasts of the Demon Deacons’ games.

“It’s incomprehensible that a former Wake Forest student-athlete, graduate-assistant, full-time football coach, and current radio analyst for the school, would betray his alma mater,” Clawson said in a statement. “We allowed him to have full access to our players, team functions, film room, and practices. He violated our trust.”

Elrod deleted his Twitter account and did not return a phone call seeking comment. His attorney James Quander, a defensive end at Wake Forest from 1991-94, declined to comment when reached by phone. The school said Elrod has been banned from the ahletic department and facilities.

Temple to hire Collins

Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins is close to finalizing a deal to become head coach at Temple, ESPN and Associated Press reported. He would replace Matt Rhule, who left the Philadelphia school last week for Baylor.

Collins, 45, has been with the Gators for two seasons, during which their defense ranked in the top 10 nationally. Before that he was defensive coordinator at Mississippi State. He would take over a revived Temple program that went 51-28 in four years under Rhule and was American Athletic Conference champion this year.

Etc.

Arizona junior quarterback Anu Solomon announced he is transferring after three seasons as the Wildcats’ starter. He expects to graduate early and would be eligible to play next season. . . . Cornerbacks Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson and defensive tackle Caleb Brantley are expected to leave Florida early and enter the NFL draft. . . . . Delaware hired Richmond’s Danny Rocco as coach. He went 43-22 in five seasons with the Spiders. . . . Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson added the AP player-of-the-year award to a list of postseason honors that includes the Heisman Trophy. . . . Louisiana State redshirt freshman offensive tackle Chidi Okeke said he plans to transfer.