In the midst of the start of the high school football season here in Iowa, several eye-opening stories flew under the radar this weekend.  Today, we’ll read about a coach vs. player showdown, a nationally popular sports columnist quitting his job, a new A.D. becoming comfortable in his new job, and allegations of workplace bullying that led to a suicide.

And that doesn’t include Jay Mariotti being arrested and possibly losing his gig on ESPN‘s Around the Horn.

-Sally Jenkins, Washington Post:  Jenkins writes about the continuing saga between disgruntled Washington Redskins defensive player Albert Haynesworth and coach Mike Shanahan, after Haynesworth complained after Saturday’s night pre-season game about having to play with the second-string in the second half.

Karen Crouse, New York Times:  Pat Haden is starting to enjoy his new role as athletic director at U.S.C., amid the football program being put on probation.

Tully Corcoran, Topeka Capital-Journal:  popular and controversial sportswriter Jason Whitlock has decided to leave the Kansas City Star, but not without some fireworks and accusations on the way out, via a radio interview on KCSP 610-AM and Metro Sports.  Here is the exclusive radio interview between Whitlock and Nick Wright.

Ray Sanchez, ABC News:  Kevin Morrissey, managing editor of the Virginia Quarterly Review, committed suicide on August 1st.  Was workplace bullying the cause of his death?