Graber Sent Packing

Doug Graber, who failed in six seasons to turn around the Rutgers football program, was fired as coach of the Scarlet Knights in New Brunswick, N.J.

University president Francis Lawrence announced that Graber had been relieved of his duties effective immediately. Athletic director Fred Gruninger said a search had begun for a new coach.

Rutgers was 4-7, 2-5 in the Big East Conference this year.

In Birmingham, Ala., an NCAA committee has decided Alabama’s appeal of sanctions against the football program and will likely release its findings by the week’s end.

Western Washington football coach Rob Smith has been named one of the American Football Coaches Association’s coaches of the year.