Associated Press
COLLEGE PARK, Md. ó Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin was named Thursday as the eventual successor to Ralph Friedgen, putting him in line to become the Terrapins’ first black head football coach.
There is no specific timeline for how long the 37-year-old Franklin would be the coach-in-waiting; Friedgen has three years remaining on his contract and has not indicated that he is ready to step aside.
Even though he has to wait Franklin said he has “always dreamed” of getting this type of opportunity.
“I think I have a pretty unique perspective on the university and what it’s going to take to be successful here,” Franklin said. “Really our plan and our discussion was about continuing to build off the foundation Ralph has laid here and continue to build this program into one of the elite programs in the country.”
– LUBBOCK, Texas ó Contentious negotiations on a new contract for Texas Tech coach Mike Leach have stalled largely on questions of what happens if he tries to leave the Red Raiders.
Leach and his agents have taken issue with termination and buyout clauses and a provision that would trigger the coach’s firing and a $1.5 million penalty if he interviewed for another job without permission, according to documents released by the school Friday.
In his current deal, which has two years remaining, Leach has no restrictions on interviewing elsewhere.
BOXING
LONDON ó Former super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe retired from boxing with a perfect 46-0 record. The 36-year-old Welshman outpointed Roy Jones Jr. in November in his last fight of a 16-year pro career.
Calzaghe said he was tempted to fight three more times to match Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record, but said he lacked the hunger. And there will be no comeback, he pledged.
NBAPHILADELPHIA ó Former Duke star Elton Brand will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder Monday, reducing the 76ers’ marquee free-agent to only 29 games this season. Brand was first injured Dec. 17 against Milwaukee and has played in six games since his return.
CY ALEXANDER FIRED
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ó Cy Alexander has been fired as basketball coach at Tennessee State.
Alexander, who played his college ball at Catawba, was in his sixth season at Tennessee State, posting a record of 67-107 overall and 48-56 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Tigers were 4-8 and 6-16 this season. Overall, in 24 years of coaching, Alexander has a record of 344-306.
Last season, Tennessee State finished 15-17 and reached the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference.
MORE COLLEGE HOOPS
TAMPA, Fla. ó Jesus Verdejo scored 21 points and Dominique Jones made a driving layup to put South Florida ahead with 15.9 seconds to go, and the Bulls held on Friday night for a 57-56 victory over No. 8 Marquette.
– ORANGEBURG, S.C. ó The wife of former South Carolina basketball star Zam Fredrick has been asked to resign from the Calhoun County School Board for allegedly striking a teacher.
– STARKVILLE, Miss. ó Mississippi State will retire former Bulldog basketball and NBA star Bailey Howell’s No. 52 jersey at halftime of today’s game against Arkansas in Starkville.