Sports Columnist

Mike Bianchi

Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi is one of the foremost sports voices in the Southeast. He covers many teams, including the Orlando Magic, Florida Gators, UCF Knights and Florida State Seminoles. Mike's favorite quote: "The job of a sports columnist is to observe the battle from the mountain top and then ride down and bayonet the wounded." He also hosts the "Open Mike" show weekday mornings from 6-9 a.m. on 96.9 FM The Game.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier speaks to the media at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days, Tuesday, July 14, 2015, in Hoover, Ala.

Bianchi: Steve Spurrier, like Bobby Bowden, might never retire

June 15, 2018 at 6:44 p.m.

HOOVER, Ala. — Steve Spurrier is turning into Bobby Bowden right before our very eyes. Spurrier became a septuagenarian in April and is now the oldest coach in Southeastern Conference...

Bianchi: These heroes fought wars so NASCAR fans could wave Confederate flag

August 24, 2019 at 4:55 a.m.

"I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty and freedom. It is the history of our nation,...

Bianchi: FSU icon Charlie Ward mentors Jameis Winston

August 24, 2019 at 4:52 a.m.

If only that other great Florida State quarterback could be more like this great Florida State quarterback. If only Famous Jameis could be more like Charitable Charlie. If only Jameis...

Shaquill Griffin breaks up a pass intended for Blake Tiralosi during the 2015 UCF spring football game at Bright House Networks Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2015. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)

Bianchi: UCF coach George O’Leary’s kidney stone passes, but can his QB?

August 24, 2019 at 4:52 a.m.

UCF coach George O'Leary played hurt during the spring game Saturday, still feeling the lingering effects of a kidney stone that earlier this week sent him to the emergency room,...

NASCAR should have rid itself of classless Kurt Busch long ago

May 18, 2020 at 4:17 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH — For the longest time, the most famous words in all of racing were, "Gentlemen, start your engines." The key word being "Gentlemen" — the plural of "Gentleman."...

NASCAR needs force-field technology to protect Danica from alien intruders

August 24, 2019 at 4:50 a.m.

Running off at the typewriter ... Because Danica Patrick seems to crash anytime Denny Hamlin (or anyone else, for that matter) gets close to her, I think NASCAR needs to...

Richard Petty, left, shakes hands with Darrell Gwynn at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 19.

Gwynn, Buoniconti come together at Daytona to provide hope on wheels

June 16, 2018 at 5:03 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH — NASCAR is a sport based on wheels and teams, and on Thursday that point was poignantly driven home when Darrell Gwynn and Marc Buoniconti rolled into Daytona...

Memo to Richard Petty: Danica Patrick is already a NASCAR winner

August 24, 2019 at 4:49 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH — Danica Patrick, the sexy young queen of NASCAR, has still not reconciled with Richard Petty, the sexist old king of NASCAR. When I asked Danica on Thursday...

Bianchi: Vaughn’s firing is the easy answer, but is it right one?

August 24, 2019 at 4:48 a.m.

You can't fire the owners. You can't fire the players. And, so, Coach Jacque Vaughn took the fall Thursday for the Orlando Magic's abysmal season and a three-year rebuild that's...

Bianchi: Warren Sapp is Central Florida Hall-of-Famer and Hall-of-Shamer

August 24, 2019 at 4:48 a.m.

Warren Sapp was arrested and charged with soliciting a prostitute at a Phoenix hotel following the Super Bowl. Just wondering if the prostitute should have been arrested, too, for soliciting...

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