last week to accept the head-coaching job at Purdue after guiding Western Kentucky to a 30-10 record and conse

OXFORD, Miss. -- These should be grand times for Mississippis football program.And in many ways during Mondays first preseason practice, thats exactly how it felt. After all, the Rebels are coming off a 10-win season, including a Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma State, and are now a program thats viewed among the upper tier of the loaded Southeastern Conference.Senior quarterback Chad Kelly, a longshot Heisman Trophy candidate, was zinging passes. Talented defensive linemen like Breeland Speaks and Marquis Haynes looked imposing during drills. At almost every position, the Rebels had the look and feel of an elite program.I really like the look of our team, Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. I love our coaching staff. The chemistry and consistency that weve been able to maintain here speaks to our core values and our administration.But all is not well in Oxford. An ongoing four-year NCAA investigation continues to hover over the football program, leaving an unmistakable feeling of uneasiness. Is a postseason ban coming? A suspension for Freeze? Or is it just the loss of some scholarships and a few years of probation that the university already self-imposed?Nobody knows. And until theres some clarity, the questions will continue.Freeze is adamant that while the outside world might be concerned about the NCAA investigation, it hasnt stole our joy at all.Kelly said its not even part of their world. Youre better off not reading anything on Twitter or newspapers or TV because it seems like they always want to talk about it. For us, weve just got to focus on football.Freeze and Ole Miss have good reason to make sure the focus remains on the field. The Rebels have a hard September schedule, starting with a neutral site opener against Florida State on Sept. 5. They also have back-to-back home games against Alabama and Georgia.Its not hard to motivate our kids, Freeze said. They understand whats in front of them.Kellys presence is maybe the top reason for why the Rebels are confident they can be a factor in the SECs Western Division. He threw for more than 4,000 yards in 2015 while also running for 500 yards in his first full season as a starter.There also are experienced receivers like Damoreea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo, along with tight end Evan Engram. On defense, the Rebels return five starters and several backups that had significant playing time last season. Veteran defensive tackle Issac Gross returns after missing most of last season with a neck injury and will bring what Freeze called a breath of fresh air.Ole Miss officials, meanwhile, are trying to ease off-the-field concerns.Athletic director Ross Bjork spent a sizable portion of his spring and summer addressing various fan groups. In some instances, the gatherings drew record crowds, with fans still on a high after the Sugar Bowl win and back-to-back victories over mighty Alabama.Bjork said he could sense the optimism, but also felt the concern about the NCAAs shadow.Ole Miss has already received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA, which includes 13 violations for the football program. The school released its response in May, but the case is in limbo while the school investigates more allegations involving former left tackle Laremy Tunsil.The key thats very important is saying, look, were not going anywhere. Were building a program to last, Bjork said in July. Were not a one-hit wonder. Were not just the last four years, were really building for the next 40 years.So I think thats how you have to approach it -- long-term success can happen. (The NCAA investigation) is a challenge. Its a bump in the road, but were going to get through it and were going to continue to build the program the right way.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP-----AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.orgNasir Adderley Jersey . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Doug Flutie Chargers Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.chargersauthenticofficialonline.com/authentic-joey-bosa-jersey.html . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Mike Williams Jersey . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Melvin Gordon III Jersey .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city.Western Kentucky has hired Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford as its next head coach.Sanford will be introduced at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. He replaces Jeff Brohm, who left last week to accept the head-coaching job at Purdue after guiding Western Kentucky to a 30-10 record and consecutive Conference USA championships in three seasons.Sanford, who spent the past two seasons at Notre Dame, served as Western Kentuckys quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in 2010.Sanford, 34, becomes the youngest coach in the FBS. A source told ESPN that he received a four-yeaar contract that will play him an average of $800,000 annually and includes many bonus possibilities for reaching milestones.ddddddddddddanford, whose father, Mike, is Indiana States coach, played quarterback at Boise State and later served as Boise States offensive coordinator before joining the Notre Dame staff. His departure means Notre Dame will be replacing coordinators on both sides of the ball. The Irish fired?defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder after a 1-3 start to the season. ' ' '