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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Newsmakers

From Staff And Wire Reports

Injured Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter has been sidelined with a sprained right big toe. Carter left the Magic’s 103-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night only 95 seconds into the first quarter with the injury. He did not return and was replaced by J.J. Redick.

•Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez will treat his back injury with rest, medication and rehabilitation following a visit to a specialist on Sunday. An MRI exam showed Lopez had a bulging disk. Lopez will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Hired Iowa has convinced Fran McCaffery to leave Siena to become the Hawkeyes’ new coach. McCaffery went 112-51 in five seasons at Siena, leading the Saints to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Siena lost to Purdue in the first round this year in Spokane and finished with a 27-7 record. McCaffery replaces Todd Lickliter, who was fired after Iowa went 10-22 this year.

•An AP source says Kevin Willard is leaving Iona to become Seton Hall’s new coach. The 34-year-old Willard has agreed to replace Bobby Gonzalez, who was fired on March 17 after a 19-win season that was beset by problems off the court. Willard took over an Iona program that was in the bottom 10 among Division I teams in RPI three years ago and led it to a 21-10 record this season, earning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coach of the year award.

•Seton Hall added a women’s coach as well. Anne Donovan is leaving the New York Liberty of the WNBA. She replaces Phyllis Mangina, who resigned after posting a 9-21 record in her 25th season as coach, including a 1-15 mark in the league.

Named San Diego has named Jon Garland as the Opening Day starter. Garland, who in January signed a one-year deal worth $4.7 million that includes a $600,000 buyout for 2011, will face Dan Haren and the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on April 5. Last season, Garland went a combined 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA for the Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Agreed Right-hander Chad Gaudin has agreed to terms with the Oakland Athletics to help shore up their injury-riddled pitching staff, three days after being released by the New York Yankees. Gaudin was released by New York on Thursday after losing out to Phil Hughes for the No. 5 slot in the team’s rotation. Gaudin struggled this spring after pitching well as a part-time starter with the Yankees in 2009.

Reached Sam Houston State baseball coach Mark Johnson won his 1,000th career game Sunday when the Bearkats rallied for an 8-6 victory against UTSA. The former Texas A&M coach improved to 1,000-517-3 in 25 seasons. The first 21 of those seasons came with the Aggies. Johnson is among 15 active Division I coaches with 1,000 wins and the 44th all-time.