Newsmakers

Extension Former Golden State Warriors coach Keith Smart has found some job security as an NBA head coach in Northern California after all. In California’s state capital with the Sacramento Kings, that is. The team has extended Smart’s contract through the 2012-13 season. The 47-year-old Smart replaced the fired Paul Westphal in early January – giving him another shot as a head coach after being let go by the Warriors last April.

Dropped The attorney for free-agent linebacker Leroy Hill says charges of marijuana possession in Atlanta have been dropped. Hill and a woman were arrested Feb. 25 at his condominium in Atlanta. Hill’s lawyer, Edward T. M. Garland, says urine tests taken after the arrest came up negative. Hill was also arrested in January 2009 on a marijuana-possession charge in Georgia and was given 12 months of probation.

Appointed Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman was tabbed to lead Canada’s hockey team at a second straight Winter Olympics. Hockey Canada appointed Yzerman to be executive director of the defending Olympic gold medalists. Yzerman assembled the squad that won it all at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Out Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford will be shut down this week to let his left wrist heal and it’s unlikely he’ll be ready to play by opening day. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said that Crawford would be held out for five to seven days because of inflammation.

Died Former Southern League president and major league baseball player Don Mincher has died after a long illness. He was 73. Southern League vice president Lori Webb says Mincher passed away Sunday at his Huntsville, Ala., home. Mincher spent 13 years in the major leagues and was a two-time American League All-Star.