Irish Qb To Return

Ron Powlus said the recent coaching change at Notre Dame was the biggest factor in his decision to return for his final year of eligibility. Lou Holtz left after 11 seasons and was replaced by Bob Davie, his defensive coordinator.

“My time with coach Holtz would have been done … it would have been time for me to move on,” Powlus said at a news conference in his hometown of Berwick, Pa. “With coach Davie coming in, it’s a positive move and it’s something I want to be a part of.”

Former Citadel football coach Charlie Taaffe sued the school for firing him after his second drunken-driving arrest in three years, alleging that school officials actually were angry that he recruited too many black players.

Taaffe also argued that the military college violated its own rules by failing to give him a hearing and by encouraging him to attend events where drinking was encouraged and then refusing to provide him with a driver.

Vanderbilt promoted defensive coordinator Woody Widenhofer to head coach, a week after Rod Dowhower quit under pressure.

Dowhower resigned after consecutive 2-9 seasons Dec. 13, and Widenhofer was the only candidate interviewed for the opening.

East Tennessee coach Mike Cavan was hired by Southern Methodist to take over its program.