NCAA: Bielema gets Arkansas job
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is taking his brand of power football to Arkansas.
Bielema agreed yesterday to become the new coach of the Razorbacks, according to a person familiar with the situation that was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
Bielema is leaving the Big Ten for the SEC and a Razorbacks program that opened the year with hopes of challenging for a national championship only to get mired in the Bobby Petrino scandal before stumbling to a 4-8 finish.
Boston College has hired Steve Addazio away from Temple to be the Eagles’ next coach. Addazio, a Connecticut native, went 13-11 in two seasons with the Owls since taking over for Al Golden in Philadelphia. Addazio replaces Frank Spaziani, who was fired after four seasons as head coach and 16 overall at BC. Spaziani went 22-29 with the Eagles.
Auburn has turned to Gus Malzahn to restore a program that made an unprecedented fall two years after winning a national title with Cam Newton operating his high-powered offense to perfection. Malzahn, 47, replaces former boss Gene Chizik, who was fired one day after a 49-0 loss to No. 2 Alabama to complete a 3-9 season.
NBA: Crawford, Wizards stun Heat
The Wizards can’t beat many teams, but they beat the best: LeBron James and the Heat. Washington doubled its victory total this season with a 105-101 home triumph over the Heat, despite James’ triple-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Jordan Crawford led Washington with 22 points, including three free throws in the final 11 seconds, while James missed a potentially tying 3-pointer with 3.9 to go.
In Memphis, Zach Randolph had 38 points and 22 rebounds, setting season highs in both categories, to carry the Grizzlies down the stretch and in overtime for a 108-98 victory over the Suns.
NFL: Bears’ Urlacher to miss three weeks
An MRI yesterday confirmed Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks and is expected to miss the next three games, and possibly the rest of the regular season, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune.