Roundup: Former Stanford coach Dennis Green dies at 67

Former Stanford football coach Dennis Green died at 67 of cardiac arrest Thursday night. One of the first black head coaches in NFL history, Green was at the helm of the Minnesota Vikings for 10 seasons and the Arizona Cardinals for three. #TheyAreWhoWeThoughtTheyWere

With expansion a hot topic in the Big 12 right now, Colorado AD Rick George says the Buffs do not want to return to the Big 12. Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder said at Big 12 Football Media Days this week that there are teams who left the Big 12 that wish they could get back in (CU, Nebraska, Missouri and Texas A&M all left the Big 12 in recent years).

Adam Jude reports that Washington will investigate UW Department of Neurological Surgery Chairman Dr. Richard Ellenbogen based on claims made in a congressional report that Ellenbogen tried to influence a major research study on brain injuries related to football. Ellenbogen also serves as chairman of the NFL’s Head, Nick and Spine Committee.

Jeff Metcalfe reports that Arizona State has begun to install the field at Sun Devil Stadium. It should be good to go for a potential scrimmage two weeks before the Sept. 3 season opener.

Jen Beyrle of The Oregonian/OregonLive fills us in on the 18 Oregon Ducks who will be competing in the Olympics in Rio this summer. I’ll let her list them.

Hayden Kim of The Salt Lake Tribune features Team Utah, a team competing in The Basketball Tournament made up of a bunch of former Utes including Tim Drisdom and Dakarai Tucker. Team Utah, which is in the Super 16, has a shot of winning a $2 million grand prize.

Nice article here from Ted Miller about how UCLA football coach Jim Mora deals with the media. He’s not a grumpy person, that Mora (according to Mora).

Danny Moran explains that Oregon State men’s basketball players Drew Eubanks and Stephen Thompson Jr. are looking to improve their game after traveling to Australia with the Pac-12 All-Stars.

Alright get ready for an avalanche of David Lombardi links (must be his week on the summer beat for the ESPN Pac-12 Blog) – watch USC’s Adoree’ Jackson do a wall flip. 

Lombardi features Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and defensive back Parker Henry, two key guys behind the Cougs’ defensive turnaround in 2015. The Cougs went from forcing just eight turnovers in 2014 to 24 last season.

Lastly, Lombardi features the Cal freshmen wide receivers who will have a chance to make an immediate impact this season – Melquise Stovall and Demetrius Robertson.

Five Arizona gymnasts were named Scholastic All-Americans Wednesday – Danielle Buchanan, Kristin Klarenbach, Jessie Sisler, Madison Cindric and Lauryn Mattson.