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Court: NCAA must release documents related to Florida State University academic cheating case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The NCAA must release documents on Florida State University’s appeal of an academic cheating penalty because they are public records, a state appellate court ruled Thursday.

College basketball coaches urge quick action on health care reform

WASHINGTON — NCAA basketball coaches who are sometimes rivals on the court came united to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to push for quick approval of health care reform.

Knowing heat is a danger, football coaches focus on player safety after colleague acquitted

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bart Curtis knows running and conditioning are part of preparing football players for a game.

Ky. coach’s trial in death of high school athlete centers on practice that many saw as typical

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After two-plus hours of practice, Pleasure Ridge Park football coach David Jason Stinson had seen enough of players goofing off.

Judge orders documents released in NCAA-Florida State cheating case

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A judge ruled Friday the NCAA must publicly release documents on Florida State’s appeal of an academic cheating penalty, and criticized the athletic organization for making underlying threats against the university.

Only other officer in black scholar’s house during arrest says cops followed protocol

BOSTON — The second Cambridge, Mass., police officer who was inside the home of renowned black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. during his arrest says he and the arresting officer “followed protocols.”

Friends, supporters defend Mass. police officer who arrested black Harvard scholar

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Supporters say the white policeman who arrested renowned black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. in his home is a principled police officer and family man who is being unfairly described as racist.

Gunmen kill coach of Iraq’s national karate team in northern city of Mosul, officials say

BAGHDAD — Gunmen killed the coach of Iraq’s national karate team Friday in Mosul, underscoring the dangers still facing this northern city less than two weeks before a deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from urban areas.

Colorado Avalanche make sweeping changes, hire Greg Sherman as GM and fire coach Tony Granato

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche promoted Greg Sherman to general manager and fired coach Tony Granato and five others in a sweeping shakeup Wednesday.

Norm Daniels, who coached 5 sports in almost 40 years at Wesleyan, dies at 102

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Longtime Wesleyan coach Norm Daniels has died at 102.

Frantisek Straka to replace Petr Rada as Czech Republic soccer coach

PRAGUE — Frantisek Straka was selected as the Czech Republic’s new soccer coach on Tuesday, replacing Petr Rada, who was fired last month because of poor results in World Cup qualifying.

Chuck Daly, who led US Olympic team to gold and won 2 NBA titles with Pistons, dies at 78

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons made plenty of enemies while winning titles and throwing blows two decades ago. Chuck Daly, though, was universally admired for his class and coaching acumen.

Chuck Daly, who led US Olympic team to gold and won 2 NBA titles with Pistons, dead at 78

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons made plenty of enemies while winning titles and throwing blows two decades ago. Chuck Daly, though, was universally admired for his class and coaching acumen.

Colts’ restructuring leads to another change with departure of longtime personnel adviser

INDIANAPOLIS — A longtime player personnel official for the Indianapolis Colts has left the team in a front-office restructuring.

8 countries from 4 continents preparing for first Junior World Championship

CANTON, Ohio — Jan Jenmert was admiring the history inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Friday when he stumbled upon Bill Walsh’s bust. Jenmert, the head coach of Sweden’s national football team, has admired the coach since reading Walsh’s book, “Finding the Winning Edge.”

Potential Favre return may be Vikes’ missing link, but has spite supplanted his love of game?

MILWAUKEE — For most of his career, he was celebrated as a tough guy playing a man’s game with the joy of a little boy. Now Brett Favre stands on the verge of plunging the sports world into yet another offseason’s worth of waffling on his retirement.

AFCA mulls changes in USA Today/coaches Top 25

PHOENIX — The results of a three-month review of the USA Today coaches’ poll are a secret.

Report: Favre tells Childress he’s still retired; coach still in Minnesota

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings’ dalliance with Brett Favre has yet to reach the stage of face-to-face, close-the-deal talks.

Report: Brett Favre to meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress about possible comeback

MINNEAPOLIS — Just when Brett Favre looked to finally be out, the Minnesota Vikings could be pulling him back in. Citing an anonymous source “with direct knowledge of the discussions between the two parties,” ESPN reported Tuesday that Favre is scheduled to meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress later this week about a possible comeback with Minnesota.

Gao Hongbo is announced as latest coach of China’s troubled national soccer team

BEIJING — Gao Hongbo was announced as the latest coach of China’s troubled national soccer team on Monday.

USC hires Los Angeles Sparks coach Michael Cooper to oversee women’s basketball team

LOS ANGELES — Michael Cooper will leave the Los Angeles Sparks to coach Southern California’s women’s basketball team.

Unrestricted free agents Miller, Ratliff no-show final 76ers’ team meeting

PHILADELPHIA — Andre Miller’s ironman streak for the Philadelphia 76ers does not extend to team meetings.

Favre in purple? Vikings coach says team will likely discuss potential interest in ex-Pack QB

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Brett Favre says he’s retired, but Minnesota coach Brad Childress acknowledges it’s likely the Vikings will at least assess their interest in the record-setting quarterback later in the offseason.

Sharks coach Todd McLellan can’t get too excited about nomination for top coach award

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Any good coach would understand why Todd McLellan wasn’t exactly jumping for joy about the major coaching honor he received Friday.

Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz says quarterback Matthew Stafford “overanxious” in his 1st practice

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford looked spectacular at times, fitting spirals in tight places and delivering pinpoint passes downfield.

Unrestricted free agents Miller, Ratliff no-show final 76ers’ team meeting

PHILADELPHIA — Andre Miller and Theo Ratliff have skipped the final Philadelphia 76ers’ team meeting a day after they were eliminated from the playoffs.

You say ‘Simeon,’ I say ‘Simyon’: Caps’ rookie goalie Varlamov making a name for himself

ARLINGTON, Va. — Simeon Varlamov figures if people are saying his name more often, they might as well get it right.

Michigan State coach Izzo ready to dance, maybe even sing in show for Coaches vs. Cancer

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Tom Izzo stands on stage and takes a deep breath after his latest two-hour rehearsal for an upcoming Broadway-style show to benefit cancer research.

Steelers start minicamp without inside linebacker Larry Foote, or much drama

PITTSBURGH — Unlike coach Mike Tomlin’s first minicamp two years ago, there probably won’t be much drama when the Pittsburgh Steelers begin their lone mandatory offseason practices Friday.