Bloom: Red Sox won't rush to have manager by spring training

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox are still hoping to have a manager in place by spring training, but chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said Thursday it's possible they won't hire someone before pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12. “It would certainly be ideal” to have replaced Alex Cora by...

AP source: Vikings make Gary Kubiak offensive coordinator

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have chosen Gary Kubiak as their offensive coordinator, filling the vacancy created by Kevin Stefanski's departure to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns. The widely expected move was confirmed Thursday by a person with knowledge of the decision who spoke to...

Shareef O'Neal, son of Shaq, to transfer from UCLA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shareef O'Neal, son of Shaquille O'Neal, plans to transfer from UCLA, where he sat out his first year after heart surgery and played just 13 games this season. O'Neal announced his decision on social media Wednesday night, but didn't mention his plans. He averaged 2.2 points and 2.9...

Big 12 suspends 4 players from KU-KSU brawl 25 games total

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Big 12 suspended four players from Kansas and Kansas State a combined 25 games Wednesday for their roles in a melee that spilled off the court and into a section of disabled seating in Allen Fieldhouse near the end of the third-ranked Jayhawks' win over the Wildcats. Kansas...

Army tabs Cody Worley as QBs coach

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Army has named Cody Worley as its quarterbacks coach. Worley comes to West Point after a five-year stint in the same position at Kennesaw State of the Football Championship Subdivision. He replaces Mitch Ware, who announced his retirement on Monday after a 35-year career, the last...

UConn vs Tennessee rivalry renewed in women's hoops Thursday

NEW YORK (AP) — For more than a decade, the rivalry in women's basketball was Tennessee and UConn. After a 13-year absence, the teams will play again Thursday night, broadcast at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN from Hartford, Connecticut. The powerhouse teams led by Hall of Fame coaches Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma...

Mississippi State hires Zach Arnett as defensive coordinator

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State has named Zach Arnett as its defensive coordinator, less than two weeks after he had accepted the same position at Syracuse. The 33-year-old Arnett had spent the last two seasons as San Diego State’s defensive coordinator. Syracuse announced Jan. 11 it had...

Jaguars hire former Redskins coach Jay Gruden as OC

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone didn't really have time to break in a new offensive coordinator. That's why Marrone interviewed four former head coaches with play-calling experience for the job. Marrone ended up hiring former Washington coach Jay Gruden on Wednesday....

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan reflects on blown Super Bowl

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Shanahan's play calls from his first trip to the Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator have been heavily scrutinized. That's to be expected after Shanahan's Falcons blew a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots and lost in overtime three years ago in part because Atlanta was...

GM Brodie Van Wagenen says New York Mets finalizing agreement with quality control coach Luis Rojas to make him manager

NEW YORK (AP) — GM Brodie Van Wagenen says New York Mets finalizing agreement with quality control coach Luis Rojas to make him manager.