Newsmakers
Extended Alabama football coach Nick Saban has received a three-year contract extension that will reward him richly if he sticks around for the next nine seasons. Saban would receive a series of three completion bonuses totaling $5 million if he is still the coach through 2011, 2014 and 2017. That means the contract would be worth $42.35 million.
Cleared Three University of Arkansas basketball players investigated after a female student claimed that she was raped at fraternity party will not face charges, prosecutor John Threet said. Threet said witness interviews and statements from the woman didn’t show that she was unaware a sex act occurred or that she was unable to say no – circumstances that could have led to sexual assault charges.
Hospitalized Mississippi running back Dexter McCluster spent the night in a Jackson, Miss., hospital because of flu symptoms and nearly two dozen other Rebels players – including starting quarterback Jevan Snead – missed practice as the virus continued to sweep though the team.
Pleaded Former NFL linebacker Dwayne Rudd, 31, has pleaded guilty in Nashville, Tenn., to failing to pay more than $540,000 in child support. Rudd, who played for Minnesota, Cleveland and Tampa Bay during his seven-season career, faces up to two years in prison.
Charged Perjury charges have been filed against two men who police say were in an SUV when it was used in the drive-by shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams on New Year’s Day in 2007. An indictment made public this week alleges Mario Anderson, 22, and Kataina “Markie” Jackson-Keeling, 21, lied to a grand jury in Denver.
Died The body of Samford basketball player Jim Griffin was found in his dorm room in Birmingham, Ala., after he apparently died in his sleep, the school said. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
•A Philadelphia man who accused former Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison of shooting him has died from wounds sustained in another shooting. Philadelphia police say Dwight Dixon died Friday. Dixon, 33, had been hospitalized since being wounded multiple times by an unknown shooter in July.