The Associated Press

STARKVILLE, Miss. - As a boy, Sylvester Croom would pretend he was an Alabama football player at a time when none of the guys suiting up for the Crimson Tide had his skin color.

Eventually, he became one of the first blacks to play for his hometown university.

"Things do change. And that's what my dad always told me," Croom said. "If you try to do things the right way and put your faith in God, they will change."

Croom grew up in the Deep South at the height of the civil rights struggle. He is returning to his roots to become the first black head football coach in Southeastern Conference history at Mississippi State.

"I am in a lot of ways the recipient of the sacrifices that other people made," he said. "I realize that it's not my doing. I'm just the one that's reaping the benefits."

The Green Bay Packers assistant coach was greeted with a standing ovation, cheers and the clanging of a few of the Bulldogs fans' beloved cowbells as he was introduced Tuesday.

Croom, son of a preacher and a first-grade school teacher, tried to play down the significance of his hiring. SEC commissioner Mike Slive called it historic.

"I am the first African-American coach in the SEC, but there ain't but one color that matters here and that color is maroon," said Croom, referring to the school color.

CLEMSON: Coach Tommy Bowden agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the Tigers until 2010. To make sure the school and fans know how serious he is, Bowden agreed to unprecedented buyout clauses just as strict as the school's clauses, and he won't get a nickel more in salary.

VIRGINIA TECH: Running back Kevin Jones will pass up his final season of college eligibility to enter the NFL draft, his father told the Associated Press.

Jones, a 6-foot, 221-pound junior projected as possibly the top running back in the draft, has rushed for a school-record 1,494 yards this season, averaging 5.6 yards for 265 carries. He has scored 20 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 136 yards.

FSU-FLORIDA FIGHT: Florida State officials have apologized for a postgame fight after the Seminoles' win over Florida. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley accepted the apology and said he and Florida State counterpart Dave Hart would make a decision on whether to use neutral officials in future games.

FORT WORTH BOWL: Boise State accepted a conditional bid to play TCU in the inaugural event Dec. 23.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Lou Holtz fired assistants Chris Cosh, Dave DeGuglielmo, Todd Fitch and John Gutekunst.