Sports
Loggains will be Titans offensive coordinater
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dowell Loggains will remain the offensive coordinator for Tennessee, and coach Mike Munchak has hired three new assistants — Sylvester Croom, Shawn Jefferson and George Henshaw. Munchak announced a handful of coaching moves Thursday.
Cardinals hire Bruce Arians as head coach
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TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have filled the NFL's final head coaching vacancy by hiring Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
The team confirmed the hiring in a release Thursday night.
The 60-year-old longtime assistant went 9-3 as Colts interim head coach while Chuck Pagono was undergoing treatment for leukemia last season.
Arians arrived in Arizona on Wednesday night, had dinner with top team officials, then interviewed on Thursday and met with reporters to indicate his interest in the job. He was offered and accepted the job Thursday night. Arians also was a finalist for the Chicago job that went to Marc Trestman.
Arians was the sixth known candidate interviewed to replace Ken Whisenhunt, who was fired after six seasons.
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Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
Union pulls away late for 80-67 win over Alabama-Huntsville
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JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women’s basketball earned an 80-67 win over the University of Alabama-Huntsville Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 10-4 on the season and a league best 5-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Alabama-Huntsville falls for just the second time in league play, going to 5-2 in conference and 8-9 overall.
Union earned their 10th win of the season and have now won eight of their last nine games. It was also the fifth time in 14 games that Union reach at least 80 points.
Union scored first on a 3-pointer from Amy Philamlee. It was three of her team-high 22 points in the game. Union jumped out to an 8-2 lead early. That was the biggest lead for Union in the first half, as Alabama-Huntsville stayed close. With 6:32 left in the half, the Lady Chargers took their first lead, 22-21. Alabama-Huntsville led by as many as three points in the half, before settling for a 33-32 lead at the break.
Alabama-Huntsville grabbed 12 offensive rebounds in the half and outrebounded Union 24-13 in the first 20 minutes. The Lady Chargers took advantage with nine second chance points in the first half.
In the second half, the first seven minutes was played close as the game produced five ties and five lead changes over that stretch. With the game tied 50-50 with just over 13 minutes left, Union’s Philamlee put her Lady Bulldogs up for good. Union pushed their lead up to 11 points, 68-57 with 2:55 left. Alabama-Huntsville was not finished yet as they scored six straight points to cut the deficit to just five points with 1:46 left. However, Union was 8-of-10 from the free throw line down the stretch as they close the game 12-4 run.
Union fixed the rebounding issues from the first half, out doing Alabama-Huntsville 27-17 on the boards in the second half. Union outscored the Lady Chargers 48-34 in the second half.
Union was led by Philamlee’s 22 points including a pair of 3-pointers and a 6-for-6 effort from the free throw line. Amber Rechis added 17 points with three 3-pointers. Astrid Huttemann followed up her career high of 20 points in the last game, with 15 points in this game. LaTesa McLaughlin added 11 points, while Shelby Ashcraft posed a solid game of nine points and 12 rebounds. Union shot 47 percent from the field, 35 percent (6-17) from long range, and 69 percent (24-35) from the free throw line.
Alabama-Huntsville was led by Jasmine Hammon who also scored 22 points. Jordan Smith scored 16 points including three 3-pointers. The Lady Chargers shot 34 percent from the field, 29 percent (8-28) from behind the arc, and 68 percent (13-19) from the charity stripe.
Up next for Union will be a road game at fellow year-two candidacy member Shorter (Ga.) Saturday at 1:00 p.m. central time.
Armstrong losing Olympic medal
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LONDON (AP) —Olympic officials have disclosed one more embarrassment for Lance Armstrong.
The International Olympic Committee sent a letter to the disgraced cyclist Wednesday night asking him to return the bronze medal won at the 2000 Sydney Games.
On Monday, Armstrong taped an interview with Oprah Winfrey for broadcast tonight and Friday on her network. A person familiar with the situation told the AP that the winner of seven straight Tour de France titles confessed to Winfrey to using performance-enhancing drugs.
NFL-JAGUARS-BRADLEY
Jags fill coaching vacancy
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as head coach.
The 46-year-old Bradley is part of Jacksonville's rebuilding project directed by recently installed general manager David Caldwell.
Bradley spent the last four seasons in Seattle, where his defense improved each of the last three years and finished in the top 10 in points and yards the last two. This season, the Seahawks ranked first in the NFL in points allowed, fourth in yards and tied for fourth in takeaways.
The Jaguars were 30th in the league in total defense in 2012.
NFL-EAGLES-KELLY
A new era in Philly football
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A sign reading "Our Chip's Come In" greeted Chip Kelly outside the Philadelphia Eagles' practice facility on his first day as head coach.
Kelly was hired Wednesday, ending an exhaustive search to replace Andy Reid.
After initially turning down the job, the offensive innovator was lured away from Oregon, where he went 46-7 in four seasons and turned the program into a national powerhouse.
Kelly says he knew he wanted to be in Philadelphia, it was just a matter of "figuring out how to do it the right way."
Though he has no previous NFL experience, the Eagles are banking on Kelly to turn around a franchise that has just 12 wins in the last two years and zero playoff victories since 2008.
NFL-BEARS-TRESTMAN
Trestman excited by opportunity
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Marc Trestman says he has one of the best jobs in sports now that he's the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Trestman emphasized at his introductory news conference the urgency to win now. He also says he can't wait to get his hands on quarterback Jay Cutler.
Trestman says Rod Marinelli will not return as the Bears' defensive coordinator next season. He's a longtime friend of former coach Lovie Smith.
NFL-BROWNS-TURNER
Browns and Broncos have new offensive coordinators
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have named Norv Turner their new offensive coordinator.
Turner was fired as head coach of the Chargers earlier this month after leading San Diego to a 59-43 record and three division titles in six years
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TE'O HOAX-MAUA'I
Ex-Cardinal fullback says he met Te'o's girlfriend
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Former Arizona Cardinals fullback Reagan Maui'a (MAO-ee-uh) says he met the girlfriend of Notre Dame's Manti Te'o, a woman the university and Te 'o now say doesn't exist.
Maui'a told ESPN that he met Lennay Kekua in 2011 while he and some teammates were on a charity mission to American Samoa.
Maui'a told the network that this was before the woman met Te'o and that he and Kekua became "good friends."
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TE'O HOAX-BRANDT
Te'o may slip in draft
UNDATED (AP) — NFL draft consultant Gil Brandt believes the uncertainty surrounding Manti Te'o (MAN'-ty TAY'-oh) could affect when Notre Dame's star linebacker might be selected in April's draft.
Brandt's comments come a day after it was revealed Te'o was involved in a hoax involving an alleged girlfriend. Brandt says he's never witnessed anything like that in his half-century in pro football.
The former Dallas Cowboys general manager adds that Te'o's stock had already plummeted after a poor performance in the BCS championship game.
MLB-RANGERS-HARRISON
Rangers ink veteran lefty
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have finalized a $55 million, five-year contract with All-Star pitcher Matt Harrison.
The deal includes a 2018 club option that could become guaranteed depending on the number of innings the left-hander pitches.
Harrison was 18-11 with a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts last year and is 32-20 over 399 innings during the past two seasons. He started Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, which the Rangers lost at St. Louis.
MLB-PIRATES-KARSTENS
Karstens staying put
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jeff Karstens is staying with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two sides have finalized a $2.5 million contract for the upcoming season.
The 30-year-old right-hander can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses based on innings.
Karstens was 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts and four relief appearances last year, when he missed time because of separate injuries to a hip, groin and shoulder.
MLB-RED SOX-SIGNINGS
Bosox scratch one for the arbitration list
BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (sawlt-uh-luh-MAH'-kee-uh) have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $4.5 million, one-year contract. That's a $2 million raise.
The 27-year-old switch hitter batted .222 with 25 home runs and 59 RBIs last season, becoming the first catcher to lead the Red Sox in home runs since Carlton Fisk, who hit 26 in 1977.
Meanwhile, a person familiar with the negotiations says the Red Sox and Mike Napoli (NAP'-oh-lee) have agreed to shorten their deal to a one-year contract worth $5 million. Boston and Napoli agreed Dec. 3 to a $39 million, three-year contract, subject to a successful physical. But the Red Sox became concerned about Napoli's hip, and that agreement was never announced.
MLB-SCHILLING-BLOODY SOCK
Schilling's bloody sock going up for auction
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is selling the blood-stained sock he wore during the 2004 World Series after the collapse of his Providence-based video game company.
The sock, which had been on loan to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, is expected to bring in at least $100,000 at an auction next month.
GOLF-ABU DHABI
McIlroy struggles with new clubs
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Three days after announcing a multimillion dollar sponsorship deal with Nike, Rory Mclroy is in danger of missing the cut at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The world No. 1 carded a 3-over-par 75 in round one.
Mclroy says his difficulties had more to do with rusty strokes than the new equipment.
Second-ranked Tiger Woods also struggled in his 2013 debut, three-putting for bogey on his final hole and signing for an even-par 72.
England's Justin Rose and Jamie Donaldson of Wales matched 67s and share a one-stroke lead after 18 holes.
TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Federer and Williams easy winners Down Under
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Second-seeded Roger Federer continues his bid for a fifth title at Melbourne Park by beating Russian veteran Nikolay Davydenko (NIH'-koh-ly dah-vee-DENK'-oh) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in round two of the Australian Open.
And third-seeded Serena Williams showed no ill effects from the ankle injury suffered in her opening match, beating Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-2, 6-love in round two.
Meanwhile, defending women's champ Victoria Azarenka (az-ah-REHN'-kah) cruised into the third round and is on track for a semifinal meeting with Serena Williams.
TENNIS-NADAL'S RETURN
Nadal moves up return
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Rafael Nadal plans to return to tennis a bit earlier than expected.
Chile Open organizers say the Spaniard will make his 2013 debut in their clay-court event, which starts Feb. 4 in Vina del Mar.
Nadal hasn't played tennis since June, mainly because of tendinitis in his left knee.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Nadal was planning his return for the Brazil Open, which begins Feb. 11.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
Update on the latest in sports: 01.17.13
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NFL-JAGUARS-BRADLEY
Jags fill coaching vacancy
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as head coach.
The 46-year-old Bradley is part of Jacksonville's rebuilding project directed by general manager David Caldwell.
Bradley spent the last four seasons in Seattle, where his defense improved each of the last three years and finished in the top 10 in points and yards the last two. This season, the Seahawks ranked first in the NFL in points allowed, fourth in yards and tied for fourth in takeaways.
The Jaguars were 30th in the league in total defense in 2012.
Bradley began his NFL coaching career with Tampa Bay as a defensive quality control coach in 2006. He was the Buccaneers' linebackers coach the next two seasons before going to Seattle.
ARMSTRONG-MEDAL
AP sources: IOC strips Armstrong of Olympic medal
LONDON (AP) — Officials familiar with the decision tell The Associated Press the IOC has stripped Lance Armstrong of his bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics because of his involvement in doping.
Two officials say the IOC sent a letter to Armstrong on Wednesday night asking him to return the medal. The move came after the IOC was notified by cycling's governing body that Armstrong had not appealed the decision to disqualify him within the 21-day window he was allowed.
The IOC executive board discussed revoking the medal last month, but delayed a decision until cycling body UCI formally notified Armstrong he had been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and all results since 1998.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Hooping it up across The Pond
UNDATED (AP) — Today's four-game NBA schedule tips off in London, where the Knicks and Pistons will have at it in the O2 Arena used for last summer's Olympics (3 p.m. Eastern). New York is 24-13 and holds a two-game lead over Brooklyn atop the Atlantic Division standings. Detroit is 14-24 on the season.
The Pacific Division-leading L.A. Clippers have the second-best record in the league and will be hunting a third straight win this evening at Minnesota, the city-rival Lakers will be looking to post a third consecutive W when they host Eastern Conference leader Miami, and Phoenix will host Milwaukee.
TOP 25 BASKETBALL- SCHEDULE
Bounce-back games for Blue Devils and Wolverines
UNDATED (AP) — Duke will be looking to rebound from its first setback of the season when it hosts ACC-rival Georgia Tech this evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The 15-1 Blue Devils fell from No. 1 to No. 3 in the AP rankings after a weekend loss to N.C. State.
The Big Ten offers a matchup of ranked teams, with No. 9 Minnesota hosting fifth-ranked Michigan. The visiting Wolverines also are coming off their first loss and are 16-1. The Golden Gophers are 15-2. Both are 3-1 in conference play.
Also tonight, No. 8 Gonzaga visits Portland, 10th-ranked Florida is on the road to play Texas A&M, No. 21 Oregon is at Southern California, No. 22 VCU is home to St. Joseph's, 23rd-ranked Illinois hosts Northwestern and No. 24 UCLA entertains Oregon State.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TE'O HOAX
Notre Dame explains phony death of player's girlfriend
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A story that Notre Dame Heisman finalist Manti Te'o's (MAN'-ty TAY'-owz) girlfriend had died of leukemia turned out to be a hoax apparently perpetrated against the linebacker.
Calling it incredibly embarrassing to talk about, T'eo said in a statement that he developed an emotional relationship with a woman he met online and maintained that relationship through computers and phones. He said it's painful and humiliating to realize he was the victim of what was apparently someone's sick joke and constant lies.
Te'o had said during the season that the loss of his girlfriend inspired him to help lead the Irish to the BCS title game.
The university says that Notre Dame coaches were informed by Te'o and his parents on Dec. 26 that Te'o had been the victim of what appeared to be a hoax.
GOLF-ABU DHABI
McIlroy struggles with new clubs
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Three days after announcing a multimillion dollar sponsorship deal with Nike, Rory Mclroy is in danger of missing the cut at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The world No. 1 carded a 3-over-par 75 in round one.
Mclroy says his difficulties had more to do with rusty strokes than the new equipment.
Second-ranked Tiger Woods also struggled in his 2013 debut, three-putting for bogey on his final hole and signing for an even-par 72.
TENNIS-AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Federer and Williams easy winners Down Under
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Second-seeded Roger Federer continues his bid for a fifth title at Melbourne Park by beating Russian veteran Nikolay Davydenko (NIH'-koh-ly dah-vee-DENK'-oh) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in round two of the Australian Open.
And third-seeded Serena Williams showed no ill effects from the ankle injury suffered in her opening match, beating Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-2, 6-love in round two.
Meanwhile, defending women's champ Victoria Azarenka (az-ah-REHN'-kah) cruised into the third round and is on track for a semifinal meeting with Serena Williams.
No. 10 Caroline Wozniacki (wohz-nee-AK'-kee) also advanced, as did men's third seed Andy Murray and No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (SAHNG'-guh).
Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova (kuh-VIHT'-oh-vuh) was an upset victim. The eighth seed lost to 18-year-old Laura Robson 6-2, 3-6, 11-9 in a match that ended in the early hours of Friday morning in Melbourne.
MLB
A-Rod has hip surgery/new deal for Hughes...M's reacquire Morse
UNDATED (AP) — Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has undergone surgery on his left hip and is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break.
The team says the 37-year-old former All-Star third baseman is expected to be released from the hospital on today and the anticipated time for a full recovery is six months.
The Yankees also worked out a one-year, $7.15 million contract with Phil Hughes, a raise of $3.75 million. Hughes went 16-13 last year, two seasons after winning 18 games.
Also in the majors, the Washington Nationals have shipped power-hitting outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse to Seattle as part of a three-team deal that would move catcher John Jaso (JAY'-soh) from the Mariners to the Athletics and pitcher A.J. Cole from Oakland to the Nationals. Morse hit .291 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs for the Nationals in an injury-plagued season, playing mostly as an outfielder.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.