Kelly decides to remain with Oregon Ducks
College football: Oregon coach Chip Kelly announced Monday that he’s remaining with the Ducks, though he says he was flattered by the interest shown in him by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I enjoyed meeting with the Glazer family and general manager Mark Dominik, but after numerous discussions, I concluded that I have some unfinished business to complete at the University of Oregon,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.
The Bucs are searching for a new head coach after firing Raheem Morris after finishing last in the NFC South.
Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said Oregon granted Tampa Bay permission to talk to Kelly.
“We are pleased with Coach Kelly’s decision to remain as our head coach,” Mullens said.
Kelly is 34-6 at Oregon and has won three conference titles in just three seasons.
• JoePa’s funeral Wednesday: Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno will be buried Wednesday, and his family has scheduled three days of public memorial events this week.
Paterno died Sunday at age 85, less than three months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
A private funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Patriots’ Gronkowski sporting a boot
NFL: New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is wearing a removable boot on his lower left leg after being injured in the AFC championship game.
Gronkowski was hurt in the final minute of the third quarter of Sunday’s 23-20 win when he was tackled after a 23-yard reception. He limped off the field but seemed to be walking better as he went to the locker room. Less than five minutes later, Gronkowski was back in the game.
He finished with five catches for 87 yards.
• Hurd changes lawyers: Former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd has hired new attorneys to defend him against accusations that he tried to establish a drug-dealing network.
Hurd, 26, said he would plead not guilty to charges that he tried to buy large quantities of cocaine and marijuana, according to a court filing by his new attorneys, Michael McCrum of San Antonio and Jay Ethington of Dallas. Authorities say they caught Hurd telling an undercover agent that he and a co-conspirator already distributed cocaine throughout the Chicago area and needed more supply.
Banged-up Celtics put hurt on Magic
NBA: Paul Pierce and former Magic forward Brandon Bass each scored 19 points to carry the injury-riddled Boston Celtics to an 87-56 win over the Orlando Magic in Boston.
The Magic set franchise lows for points and field goals (16).
Boston was minus starters Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and three bench players.
• Duncan sparks Spurs: Tim Duncan sank a 13-foot running hook in the lane with 1.4 seconds left to finish with a season-high 28 points, and the San Antonio Spurs sent the New Orleans Hornets to an eighth straight loss, 104-102 in New Orleans.
Tony Parker added 20 points and a career-high 17 assists for the Spurs.
• Crawford delivers for Blazers: Jamal Crawford came off the bench to score a game-high 26 points and the Portland Trail Blazers cruised to a 101-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings in Portland.
• Thunder wallop Pistons: Russell Westbrook and reserve James Harden each scored 24 points, Kevin Durant added 20 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Detroit Pistons 99-79 for their fourth straight blowout win at home.
Red Wings win 17th straight at home
NHL: Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen scored in the second period, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 for their 17th straight home win – the NHL’s longest single-season streak in 36 years.
The Red Wings’ spurt is the fourth longest overall.
• Maple Leafs blank Islanders: Matthew Lombardi scored two goals and Jonas Gustavsson made 25 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Islanders 3-0 in Toronto in the first game of a home-and-home series.
The Leafs stopped Islanders forward John Tavares’ 12-game point streak – the longest run in the NHL this season.
Fighting Irish women dismantle Volunteers
College basketball: Skylar Diggins matched a season high with 27 points and No. 2 Notre Dame routed No. 7 Tennessee 72-44 in South Bend, Ind., holding the Vols to their lowest scoring in school history.
Devereaux Peters had 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Irish (20-1), who have won 17 straight.
• Syracuse men bounce back: Kris Joseph scored 17 points and No. 3 Syracuse (21-1, 8-1 Big East) recovered from its first loss of the season by posting a 60-53 victory over Cincinnati (15-6, 5-3) in Cincinnati, giving coach Jim Boeheim a notable career win.
Boeheim came away with career victory No. 877, moving him ahead of Adolph Rupp into sole possession of fourth place on the Division I coaching list.
• Record losing streak continues: Devon Saddler scored 16 points and Kyle Anderson 14 as Delaware (9-10, 5-4 Colonial Athletic Association) rolled to a 62-43 victory over winless Towson (0-21, 0-9) in Newark, Del.
Towson lost for the 40th straight time, extending its Division I record.
Astros owner Crane considering changes
Baseball: New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is considering changing the name of the franchise as well as its uniforms.
Crane said the team will conduct a study to decide whether to switch the name.
Crane said switching uniforms is something they are “highly considering.” Any changes wouldn’t happen until 2013 when Houston makes the move from the National League to the American League.
Patrick won’t race in Indianapolis 500
Miscellany: Danica Patrick will not run in the Indianapolis 500 this season.
Patrick will instead compete in the Coca-Cola 600, which is NASCAR’s longest race.
Patrick has left IndyCar for a full-time move to NASCAR.
• Breeders’ Cup Classic hits prime time: The Breeders’ Cup Classic is coming to prime time for the first time.
NBC Sports Group and the Breeders’ Cup have agreed to a multiyear deal for the network to televise the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships beginning with the 2012 event at Santa Anita.