Associated Press
The college football notebook …
SPOKANE, Wash. — Mike Leach is bringing his high-powered passing offense — and swashbuckling style — to long-dormant Washington State.
The school said Wednesday that the pirate-loving former Texas Tech coach agreed in principle to a five-year contract. He will be introduced Tuesday at a news conference in Pullman.
Leach will be paid a base annual salary of $2 million, with supplemental income of $250,000 a year, plus performance incentives, Athletic Director Bill Moos said.
The 50-year-old Leach was 84-43 at Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders to 10 bowl appearances in 10 seasons. He was fired in 2009 amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion.
He replaces Paul Wulff, who was fired Tuesday after four losing seasons.
“I have always admired the tradition of Washington State,” Leach said in a statement. “It’s a university on the move that is experiencing growth. I’m excited about what they are doing with the facilities and it’s a team that has battled through some hard times and shows great promise in the future.
“I’m proud to be a part of this team.”
CHARLOTTE-JCSU
CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte 49ers, who’ll unveil a new football program in 2013, announced they’ll play a crosstown series with Johnson C. Smith in 2014 and 2015.
Both games are slated to be played at the 49ers stadium, which is currently under construction.
The 49ers will play Johnson C. Smith at home Sept. 6, 2014 and Sept. 19, 2015.
The 2014 schedule is now complete. Charlotte had already completed an 11-game schedule for the inaugural season in 2013, with six home dates and five road games.
With the scheduling of this series, two games previously slated for 2014 have been rescheduled to new dates in the same season: The 49ers will play their season-opener at Campbell Aug. 28 and Old Dominion on Sept. 20.
ACC AWARDS WILSON
GREENSBORO — Virginia Tech’s David Wilson is the Atlantic Coast Conference’s player of the year.
The ACC announced the rest of its individual award winners Wednesday, naming Wilson as its top offensive player and Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly as its defensive player of the year.
Wilson received 18 of 45 votes cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association to win the overall award. Kuechly had nine votes while two Clemson players — receiver Sammy Watkins (eight) and quarterback Tajh Boyd (seven) followed.
In voting for the offensive award, Wilson was listed on 26 ballots while Boyd had nine votes, Watkins had eight and Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas had two.
PENN STATE SEARCH
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State could have a replacement for fired football coach Joe Paterno by the end of the year.
School president Rod Erickson said Wednesday the school hopes to have a new coach in place by the Nittany Lions’ bowl game. No. 23 Penn State (9-3) should learn its postseason destination by this weekend.
Paterno was fired Nov. 9 after 46 seasons in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Longtime defensive coordinator Tom Bradley is running the team on an interim basis.
KENTUCKY FINED
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Southeastern Conference says it will fine Kentucky $50,000 after fans rushed the field following the Wildcats’ 10-7 victory over Tennessee on Saturday.
The fine is part of the SEC’s seven-year policy that limits access to “competition areas.” The penalties include $5,000 to first offense and up to $50,000 for third and subsequent offenses.
The SEC says Kentucky has violated the policy four previous times after football games in 2006, 2007 and 2010.
Kentucky beat Tennessee for the first time in 26 years to cap a 5-7 season. Fans rushed onto the field at Commonwealth Stadium and carried off Kentucky wide receiver Matt Roark, who filled in at quarterback and led the Wildcats on both scoring drives.