Newsmakers
Returning Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari is reassuring fans that he plans to coach the Wildcats next year, despite speculation he is being pursued by the NBA. Calipari sent a message on Twitter on Friday that said: “I will be coaching at Kentucky next year. Now let’s finish what we started!”
Accused Authorities say a 22-year-old man accused of posing as a high school basketball player in Texas is facing a sexual assault charge. Police in Odessa, Texas, say Guerdwich Montimer turned himself in after a 16-year-old girl reported that she had a sexual relationship with him last summer when she thought he was 15-year-old Jerry Joseph.
Litigating Attorneys for Texas Tech asked a judge to essentially throw out a lawsuit by former football coach Mike Leach, saying it has legal immunity under state law.
Organizing NFL assistant coaches are considering unionizing because they feel team owners have stripped them of benefits. NFL Coaches Association executive director Larry Kennan, a former assistant coach, said a letter was sent to the group’s representatives on all 32 teams urging them to “explore the possibility” of a union.
Withdrawn Reigning U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters has pulled out of the French Open because of a left foot injury. Other withdrawals announced Friday include Juan Martin del Potro, Nikolay Davydenko and James Blake.
Extended Nebraska women’s basketball coach Connie Yori, who led the Cornhuskers to the best season in program history, received a three-year contract extension that will pay her $660,000 a year through the 2014-15 season. Nebraska finished 32-2 last season and reached the NCAA regional semifinals.
Died Former NFL defensive tackle Norman Hand died after collapsing at his home in South Carolina. The coroner said an autopsy is planned today.
•Skip Away, the third-richest North American racehorse in history, died from a heart attack at the central Kentucky farm where he stood as a stallion. Rick Trontz, owner of Hopewell Farm, said Skip Away had been diagnosed with a heart murmur, but the condition proved more serious than initially believed.