CFB notebook: Ex-QB Ward returns to Florida State as ambassador

Charlie Ward, who won the 1993 Heisman Trophy while leading Florida State to a national championship, is returning to his alma mater as an ambassador, according to multiple media reports. On Thursday, Ward resigned as head football coach at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola, Fla., and later in the day he confirmed that he would become a football ambassador for Florida State. Ward's role with Florida State had not yet been specified. Ward said he did not sign a contract with his university. Ward played football for the Seminoles from 1989-93, but did not play in the NFL, and instead spent 11 years in the NBA. --Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings is back on the team. New Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt confirmed the move this week to the Knoxville News Sentinel. Jennings will not participate in spring practice as he recovers from offseason arthroscopic knee surgery, but he is back on the active roster. In November, Jennings was dismissed from the team by interim head coach Brady Hoke after the wide receiver posted a criticism of the coaching staff on social media that was laced with obscenities. Jennings was second on the team in 2016 in receptions (40) and receiving yards (580). A season-ending wrist injury limited him to just one game in 2017. --Jeff Compher will step down as East Carolina's athletic director on May 1 after the school's board of trustees approved an exit agreement on Friday. Compher has become the fall guy as the Pirates' athletic teams have struggled, finishing next-to-last in the American Athletic Conference in football and basketball this school year. East Carolina has endured three consecutive losing football seasons after having only one losing regular season between 2006 and 2014. As part of the agreement, Compher could make up to $1,262,500 during the next five years, which equates to 50 percent of his base salary and 50 percent of the supplemental pay outlined in his contract. --Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts was able to honor his bet with Auburn alumnus Charles Barkley and get the last word on the verbose analyst in one swift motion. Per the terms of the wager, Hurt wore a Tigers jersey on campus as punishment for the Crimson Tide dropping a 26-14 decision to Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Nov. 14. "What's up, Charles," Hurts said in a video posted by the school on Thursday. "Obviously, I'm a man of my word. And first off, I'd just like to congratulate Auburn and the Auburn family on their successful season this year. But I think it's time I get to class. I'm running kind of late for English." With that, Hurts turned to display the national championship trophy in his backpack. --Iowa State made three separate changes to its coaching staff following the departure of offensive coordinator Tom Manning to the Indianapolis Colts. The Cyclones announced that graduate assistant Jeff Myers will serve as the offensive line coach, Jim Hofner will be a senior offensive analyst and Joel Gordon is the new quarterbacks coach. Hofner previously was the team's passing game coordinator. In addition, Joe Houston was added as the 10th assistant, taking over the special teams coordinator position.