National Sports Briefs

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 15, 2008

Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL ó North Carolina has sold out its allotment of tickets for the Meineke Car Care Bowl against West Virginia later this month.
The school had an allotment of 22,000 tickets, though ticket operations director Clint Gwaltney said the school expects more than 40,000 Tar Heel fans to attend the game considering other ticket purchases.
The school took eight days to sell its allotment of tickets.
The Tar Heels face the Mountaineers on Dec. 27.
MORE COLLEGE
MUNCIE, Ind. ó Ball State coach Brady Hoke has resigned to accept the same position at San Diego State.
Ball State went 12-1 this season, with its only loss against Buffalo in the MAC championship game. Hoke went 34-38 in six years at the school.
It is uncertain if Hoke will coach Ball State in the GMAC bowl on Jan. 6.
– TAMPA, Fla. ó Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will join his son’s staff for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Kiffin said after the Bucs’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons that he told players and his assistant coaches last week of his decision.
FIRED
SACRAMENTO, Calif. ó The Sacramento Kings have fired coach Reggie Theus after a 6-18 start to his second season with the club. Assistant coach Kenny Natt will take over the Kings, spokesman Troy Hanson said. Natt is Sacramento’s fourth coach in less than three years.
BASEBALL
PHILADELPHIA ó Jamie Moyer agreed Monday to a two-year contract that keeps the 46-year-old left-hander with the World Series champion Phillies.
Philadelphia also confirmed it has a preliminary agreement with Chan Ho Park, who accepted a $2.5 million, one-year contract. And on a busy day of Phillies’ news, All-Star second baseman Chase Utley said he is recovering well from hip surgery and hopes to be ready for opening day.
– DETROIT ó Shortstop Adam Everett and the Detroit Tigers finalized a $1 million, one-year contract Monday.
NHL
DETROIT ó Jordan Leopold scored on a penalty shot and added an assist and Andrew Raycroft made 34 saves and the Colorado Avalanche held on for a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night.
Wojtek Wolski and Paul Stastny also scored for Colorado.