COLLEGE FOOTBALL-FLORIDA-McElwain
AP source: Florida hires Colorado State’s McElwain
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) β A person familiar with the search says Florida has hired Colorado State’s Jim McElwain as its next football coach.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the Gators have not announced details of their coaching search. The person says McElwain officially accepted the job Wednesday after working out a deal to reduce a $7.5 million buyout.
ESPN first reported the hiring.
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley and three of his top assistants spent hours at McElwain’s home in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Tuesday and Wednesday. They left after negotiations failed to resolve the buyout. Florida had been told the buyout would not be a problem.
The 52-year-old McElwain replaces Will Muschamp, who was fired Nov. 16.
NFL-SCHEDULE
Cowboys at Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) β Thursday night football has Dallas at Chicago. The 8-4 Cowboys are a game behind Philadelphia in the NFC East after getting blown out 33-10 by the Eagles on Thanksgiving. They do have another showdown with them next week that could be for the division lead. The struggling Bears are 5-7.
December has not been kind to the Cowboys, who last made the playoffs in 2009. In 2011, Dallas dropped four of its final five. A year later, they dropped their final two games after taking the first three in December. Last year, they lost three of their last four. All three seasons they wound up 8-8, and anything less than a playoff appearance would be a big letdown for a team that started 6-1.
NBA-SCHDULE
Warriors look to continue hot streak
UNDATED (AP) β One of three NBA games on tonight’s schedule has New Orleans at Golden State. The Warriors have won their last ten to open the season with a 15-2 mark – the best start in the league. The Pelicans are 8-8.
Two teams heading in opposite directions meet at Madison Square Garden tonight. Cleveland looks to add to a four-game winning streak while the New York Knicks have lost five straight.
Tonight’s other contest has Indiana at Portland.
T25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE
Three top-25 games
UNDATED (AP) β The top rated team in action tonight is No. 13 San Diego State. The Aztecs, at 5-1, meet San Diego. Also tonight, No. 16 West Virginia, off to a 7-0 start, takes on LSU and No. 18 Arkansas battles No. 20 Iowa State.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Busy night on the ice
UNDATED (AP) β There are eleven games on the way in the NHL. One of the top match-ups has St. Louis at Nashville. The Predators and Blues share the top spot in the Central Division with 16 wins each and 34 points. Goalie Martin Brodeur (mar-TAN’ broh-DYOOR’) will be making his debut with St. Louis.
Another good game features a match-up of division leaders when Vancouver skates at Pittsburgh.
It’s a battle of the top and bottom of the Atlantic Division with Buffalo at Tampa Bay. The Lightning have 17 wins and 37 points while the Sabres bring up the rear of the division with nine wins and 20 points.
The rest of the games have Washington skating at Carolina, Toronto hosting New Jersey, the New York Islanders on the road at Ottawa, Detroit home to Dallas, Columbus at Florida, Colorado on the road at Calgary, Arizona hosts Los Angeles and Boston travels to San Jose.
NFL-VIKINGS-PETERSON APPEAL
Peterson hearing continues today
NEW YORK (AP) β Two people familiar with the case tell The Associated Press that Adrian Peterson won’t attend the conclusion of his suspension appeal hearing today.
Peterson also skipped a disciplinary hearing at the league office last month before Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL’) suspended him for the rest of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The 2012 NFL MVP hasn’t played for the Minnesota Vikings since Week 1 after he was charged with child abuse in Texas.
NFL executive Troy Vincent is scheduled to testify today, according to someone who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side is discussing the case publicly.
GOLF-WORLD CHALLENGE
WINDERMERE, Fla. β Tiger Woods has more comebacks than top 10s this year in golf. He makes his second return to competition today in the Hero World Challenge at Isleworth, an unofficial event of 18 players from the top 50 in the world ranking. Woods is making his first start since missing the cut in the PGA Championship in August. He missed most of the year because of back issues and recently started working with Chris Como, a specialist in biomechanics of the golf swing.
