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

Alabama loses three to draft

College football: National champion Alabama will again try to keep rolling after losing three underclassmen to the NFL draft.

All-Americans Trent Richardson (at right in photo), Dont’a Hightower and Dre Kirkpatrick said Thursday they’re leaving school to start pro careers, three days after helping the Crimson Tide to its second national title of their careers.

Alabama had a school-record four first-round selections last year, including underclassmen Marcell Dareus, Julio Jones and Mark Ingram. The Tide came back and went 12-1, moving to 36-4 over the past three years.

Associated Press

Attorney asks out of Leach case

College football: A Houston attorney who was leading Mike Leach’s lawsuit against Texas Tech over the coach’s firing in 2009 has asked to withdraw from the case. Attorney Paul Dobrowski declined to comment on his decision.

Dobrowski filed the motion Wednesday with the Texas Supreme Court, which is set to rule on whether the university’s claim of sovereign immunity will stand.

Leach, now Washington State’s coach, sued Texas Tech after he was fired for allegedly mistreating a player with a concussion. Leach has denied he mistreated Adam James, son of U.S. Senate candidate Craig James.

Associated Press

Stoops returns to Oklahoma

College football: Former Arizona coach Mike Stoops is headed back to Oklahoma.

Stoops was the co-defensive coordinator for Oklahoma from 1999 to 2004 before spending the past seven-plus seasons at Arizona. His arrival throws into question the future of defensive backs coach Willie Martinez and possibly current defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Associated Press