HURRICANES-MULLER FIRED
Hurricanes fire Muller amid playoff drought
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have fired coach Kirk Muller.
The team announced his dismissal Monday.
New general manager Ron Francis wasted little time making his first big move, dismissing Muller and most of his coaching staff exactly one week after his promotion to GM.
Muller was 80-80-27 in three seasons with the Hurricanes, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2009. Carolina finished 13th in the 16-team Eastern Conference this season and has missed the postseason in seven of the eight years since winning its only Stanley Cup in 2006.
Muller has spent the past month in limbo. While owner Peter Karmanos Jr. said late in the season that he liked the coaching staff, he added last week that any decision on the coach would rest with Francis.
PANTHERS DRAFT
Panthers look to find replacement for WR Smith
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers say they’d like to find a replacement for longtime No. 1 wide receiver Steve Smith in this year’s NFL draft.
The big question is when they’ll do it.
The Panthers have the 28th overall pick, but the NFC South champions have a variety of needs after getting hit hard in free agency, and could go in a number of directions with their first-round pick.
General manager Dave Gettleman says wide receiver, offensive tackle and cornerback are among the team’s top needs, although he’s quick to add the Panthers won’t reach for a player because of need.
Gettleman says he has some reservations about drafting a receiver in the first round because it often takes them longer to assimilate to the NFL game than those who play other positions.
PHELPS-COMEBACK
Phelps enters 2 events at Charlotte Grand Prix
UNDATED (AP) — Michael Phelps will take another step in his comeback at a Grand Prix meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 16.
His coach, Bob Bowman, tells The Associated Press on Monday night that Phelps has entered the 100-meter butterfly and 200 freestyle at the Charlotte Grand Prix, though he’s not sure the swimmer will compete in both.
Phelps returned to competition at a meet in Arizona less than two weeks ago, his first since retiring after the 2012 London Games as the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.
He competed in two events at the Mesa Grand Prix, finishing second to longtime rival Ryan Loche in the 100 fly. He also competed in the 50 freestyle, but used his preliminary heat to work on his butterfly stroke.
NORTH CAROLINA-HATCHELL
UNC’s Hatchell back to full offseason schedule
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell has returned to her normal offseason schedule after completing chemotherapy treatments for leukemia.
Hatchell has been making recruiting visits along the East Coast and attending booster club events with other UNC coaches around the state in recent weeks. In a statement from the school Monday, the Naismith Hall of Famer says “a tough last seven months” has “only made me stronger.”
Dr. Pete Voorhees says Hatchell’s disease is in “complete remission” and that she will be ready to return to the sideline next season.
Hatchell was diagnosed with the illness before the start of preseason practice and didn’t coach last season, though she said during the NCAA tournament that she could return in a supporting role if her Tar Heels reached the Final Four.
BOWYER-CONTRACT EXTENSION
Bowyer signs extension with Michael Waltrip Racing
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Clint Bowyer is heading home to Kansas Speedway this weekend with a new wife, a baby on the way and now a three-year contract extension that will keep him with Michael Waltrip Racing.
The team announced the deal Monday, a day after Bowyer drove his No. 15 Toyota to a third-place finish at Talladega. Michael Waltrip Racing also announced an extension for crew chief Brian Pattie and said that 5-Hour Energy has agreed to extend its sponsorship.
Bowyer, who grew up in Emporia, Kansas, returns to the Heartland riding high.
He married his bride, Lorra, in the Bahamas two weeks ago, during the off week in the Sprint Cup schedule. And on Monday he announced on Twitter they are expecting a boy.
INDYCAR-NEW ORLEANS
La. IndyCar race hinges on scheduling, track work
AVONDALE, La. (AP) — IndyCar racing officials say they’re confident the NOLA Motorsports Park will be able to complete more $4.5 million in improvements needed to host the proposed Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana in suburban New Orleans next year.
Gov. Bobby Jindal, NOLA Motorsports Park officials and Andretti Sports Marketing have gathered at the track in Avondale for Monday’s formal announcement of the planned race.
Ongoing negotiations include scheduling a weekend for the event, which would also affect the timeline for track improvements that IndyCar chief Mark Miles says are needed for “safety, fan enjoyment and quality of racing.”
Jindal will need state Legislative approval for $4.5 million, which will be combined with private money to make improvements, which will include pit area, straight away and perimeter fencing enhancements.
