Newsmakers
Agreed The Philadelphia Eagles Thursday agreed to terms with running back LeSean McCoy on a five-year contract extension that runs through 2017. McCoy set franchise records in 2011 with 17 rushing touchdowns, and 20 total scores, while earning All Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He also led the NFL with 102 first downs.
Signed The Buffalo Bills signed their top draft pick, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, to a four-year contract that’s worth about $12 million. Selected 10th overall in the NFL draft last month, Gilmore was a three-year starter at South Carolina and is expected to step in and compete for a starting job in Buffalo.
Pleaded Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an incident in which police used pepper spray to subdue him after an off-campus party. Rees, who turns 20 next week, is charged with one count of battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor.
Sentenced Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was sentenced to 180 days in jail for assault and other charges stemming from a November fight in his hometown. Decatur (Ala.) Municipal Judge Bill Cook convicted the 22-year-old former Alabama star of third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in the city limits.
Confirmed Athletic director Oliver Luck is staying at West Virginia. Luck sent a text message confirming he would remain with the Mountaineers. There had been talk that Luck might be interested in taking over at Stanford, where his son, Andrew, starred at quarterback before he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.
Hired Penske Racing hired Jacques Villeneuve to run the two road course races this season in the Nationwide Series.
Fired SMU athletic director Steve Orsini was fired, just four weeks after he and the Mustangs hired Hall of Fame basketball coach Larry Brown.
Offered Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor is auctioning off his 1991 Super Bowl championship ring. SCP Auctions President David Kohler said the highest bid for the ring stood at $67,292 as of mid-day Thursday. SCP has estimated the ring’s value at $75,000 to $100,000.