Grobe in Hog Heaven With Fat Raise

Jim Grobe did quite well for himself. By leaving Wake Forest for Arkansas, he will double his annual salary from $1.1 million to $2.2 million, according to the Springdale Morning News.

Grobe, 55, is expected to address Demon Deacon players Thursday morning, then fly to Arkansas for the official introduction.

This deal came together rather quickly, according to the Northwest Arkansas Times. Incoming Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long talked with Grobe on Tuesday and Wednesday in Winston-Salem after a deal with Clemson's Tommy Bowden fell through.

As for who might be targeted by Wake Forest, the perfect fit would appear to be Navy's Paul Johnson, who has been shopping around. But the Deacs will have to act fast. Johnson was interviewing a second time with Georgia Tech after earlier stops at Duke and Southern Methodist, and he appears to be at the top of the Yellow Jacket list.

In other coaching-related news:

Michigan: Athletic director Bill Martin has his principles, but Louisiana State has Les Miles. Asked if he has a backup plan, Martin said: "I don't have a backup plan. I have a plan." There are rumblings that Rutgers' Greg Schiano might become a player. He reportedly is upset over promised facility upgrades that have been tabled because of the ongoing fiscal crisis in New Jersey. And before we forget about Miles, this gem of story from the Daily Reveille, detailing email correspondence between LSU athletic director Skip Bertman and Chancellor Sean O'Keefe. We thank our friends at UWire.

Washington: Tyrone Willingham will be given at least one more year to turn around the Huskies. It appears Willingham has agreed to make changes in his staff, particularly on the defensive side. Washington allowed 446.4 yards a game in 2007. Ted Miller of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has an interesting read on the atmosphere at the presser announcing Willingham's return.

Washington State: Eastern Washington's Paul Wulff is believed to be among the leading candidates to succeed Bill Doba, hasn't heard yet from the Cougars. "Obviously, it's a job I'm very interested in," Wulff told the Seattle Times.

Southern Mississippi: Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee reportedly has been interviewed. And former Alabama coach Mike DuBose is reportedly in the mix. DuBose is coach at Millsaps, which was victimized by Trinity's 15-lateral play, i.e. the Mississippi Miracle. South Carolina defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Houston: Jack Pardee met with athletic director Dave Maggard on Pardee's ranch near College Station. Maggard will meet Thursday with Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin.