CFB notebook: Former Ole Miss coach Kinard dies

Billy Kinard, who was the first alumnus to become head coach at Mississippi, died this past weekend at his home in Fort Payne, Ala. He was 84. Kinard passed away after an extended illness, according to the university's website. Kinard was a defensive back and halfback in the 1950s under College Football Hall of Fame coach Johnny Vaught. He helped the Rebels win Southeastern Conference championships in 1954 and 1955 and played in two Sugar Bowls and one Cotton Bowl. When Vaught retired after a heart attack in October 1970, Ole Miss promoted assistant coach Frank "Bruiser" Kinard to athletic director and hired Billy Kinard as head football coach. Billy Kinard led the Rebels to a 10-2 record in 1971, capped by a 41-18 victory over Georgia Tech in the Peach Bowl. He then posted a 5-5 mark the following year and a 1-2 record to begin the 1973 campaign before Vaught returned to replace Kinard. --Former Notre Dame running back C.J. Holmes reportedly will have a shoplifting charge against him dismissed. The state of Indiana filed a motion to dismiss the misdemeanor conversion charge against Holmes, according to a report by onefootdown.com. Holmes, who is heading to Penn State as a walk-on, will have three seasons of eligibility remaining after he sits out the 2018 campaign with the Nittany Lions. A native of Hamden, Conn., who was a recruiting target of Penn State, Holmes was arrested in December on shoplifting charges at a mall in South Bend, Ind. --Wyoming linebacker Cassh Maluia was arrested over the weekend on multiple charges, including suspicion of driving under the influence, multiple media outlets reported. Maluia was arrested in Laramie, Wyo., early Saturday morning. He also was charged with underage consumption of alcohol and driving without a valid driver's license, according to the Casper Star-Tribune. A university spokesman confirmed to the newspaper that the athletic department was aware of Maluia's arrest but declined to comment further. The 19-year-old Maluia started all 13 games for the Cowboys in 2017, finishing fourth on the team with 74 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and registering one sack and one interception. --Washington linebacker Camilo Eifler is transferring to the University of Illinois. Eifler announced his decision via social media, posting on his Twitter account that "I will be continuing my football & educational career" with the Fighting Illini. The 6-foot-1, 223-pounder was a redshirt in his freshman year at Washington in 2016. He was a sparse contributor last season, appearing in five games and making six tackles.