ScuttleBu(r)t …

Iron Mountain’s Tony Gianunzio inspired Kalamazoo College to nearly a school record.

During a practice in November, Gianunzio talked to the Kalamazoo men’s basketball team about “being the best that you can be and what it means in life,” according to the college public relations department.

In the next game, Kalamazoo bombarded Concordia Chicago 114-91, scoring the most points since the school record (128) was established in 1977.

The 96-year-old Gianunzio was at the Kalamazoo practice to honor Veterans Day. The World War II veteran nearly landed a contract with the Chicago Cubs until the war in the Pacific derailed those plans.

“It’s important that our guys meet the men and women who sacrificed so much for us to be able to play this game,” said Kalamazoo College Coach Jay Smith. “Tony is a perfect example of someone with so much wisdom and knowledge to share.”

Tony spoke for 45 minutes on growing up in Iron Mountain, his baseball tryout in Janesville, Wis., and serving in the Coast Guard.

“We all have a blind date with life,” Gianunzio said. “We’re spell-bound with all the possibilities. We have a good past because you have to live in the present and to the best of your abilities.” …

When asked about Hall of Fame back Earl Campbell not finishing a mile run in practice, coach Bum Phillips said “When it’s first and a mile, I won’t give it to him.” …

Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh took some shots after the Wolverines fizzled in the Peach Bowl to Florida.

“How did Jim Harbaugh take an NFL football team to the Super Bowl?” wondered Detroit Lions guard TJ Lang on Twitter.

New York radio host and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason didn’t want to hear Jim Harbaugh’s name associated with the Jets’ opening.

“The Jets need a head coach, not a head case,” Esiason said.

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune wrote that “Bo Schembechler would have been disgusted by Michigan’s tackle-optional bowl performance, starting with team captains sitting out to protect signing bonuses. Jim Harbaugh needs to address a culture of individual agendas.”

Added Greenstein, “… it would be nice if Harbaugh quit the zombie act after losses. Accept blame and offer at least a drop of insight after your shipwrecks, as other highly compensated counterparts in your profession do.” …

With the NFL Network’s Mike Mayock becoming general manager of the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, Kyle Brandt of “Good Morning Football” wants to see more NFL Network personnel exit.

“I’d like to see Mooch coach the Packers,” Brandt said of Iron Mountain’s Steve Mariucci, an NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach …