Newsmakers

Planned Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon plans to talk to coach Rich Rodriguez about his future toward the end of next week. Rodriguez could not have helped his chances of returning for a fourth season with the Wolverines on Saturday when Mississippi State routed his team 52-14. It was Michigan’s worst bowl loss. Rodriguez is 15-22 overall.

Re-signed The Buffalo Bills announced that they’ve re-signed linebacker Shawne Merriman despite a nagging Achilles tendon injury that prevented him from playing a game in Buffalo over the final two months of the season. The signing was confirmed by a team spokesman, though contract terms were not available.

Died Quarterback Dominique Corder, a standout at a community college in Brainerd, Minn., was shot and killed in his hometown of Indianapolis. Corder, 20, led Central Lakes College to a 10-2 record this season. Corder’s aunt, Sandra Washington, told the Associated Press her nephew had stepped outside his grandmother’s house to wish his friends across the street a happy new year. She said witnesses told the family a vehicle was parked in front of the home, and when Corder asked the driver to move down the street someone fired a shot. No arrest has been made and police are asking for anyone with information about the shooting to contact them.

• Edward P. Evans, one of thoroughbred racing’s leading owners and breeders, died in Manhattan from acute myeloid leukemia. He was 68. Evans owned Spring Hill Farm in Casanova, Va.

Returning After more than a year away, Whitney Hand is set to return to the 15th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team. Hand has missed 13 months after tearing a ligament in her right knee.

• David Beckham could be on his way back to England’s Premier League – for a little while. Tottenham wants to sign the former England captain on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy until the Major League Soccer season starts in March.

Injured Saint Louis coach Rick Majerus cut his left leg in an early second-half collision with one of his players during a loss to Bowling Green. He’s expected to coach Wednesday in the Atlantic 10 opener against Dayton.