Texas gives Mack Brown 10-year deal

Football coach Mack Brown and Texas agreed to a 10-year contract worth more than $25 million that would keep him at the university through 2014.

“We’re excited about everything Mack has done in building our football program back into one of the nation’s elite,” athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Wednesday, three days before the sixth-ranked Longhorns face No. 13 Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

The new deal needs approval from the school’s board of regents, but Dodds said he thinks that won’t be a problem.

Brown’s old pact runs through 2011, Dodds said. The new contract would boost Brown’s $2.06 million annual salary by $100,000 in the first year, with additional $100,000 raises each year. He’d earn a little more than $3 million in 2014.

Brown, already one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, has led Texas to four straight seasons with at least 10 victories and is 69-19 in Austin.

Syracuse fires Pasqualoni

Syracuse fired football coach Paul Pasqualoni, eight days after a 37-point loss in a bowl game – and less than a month after giving him a vote of confidence.

“Sometimes you just know you need to make a change,” athletic director Daryl Gross said. “He’s had a long tenure here. He served the student athletes well. He is a tremendous man. The things he’s done here, you can marvel at.”

Pasqualoni, who was unavailable for comment, departs after 14 years with a 107-59-1 record and a 6-3 mark in bowl games. He is the second-winningest coach in school history, behind Ben Schwartzwalder, who had 153 victories.

But the Orange struggled to break even after going 10-3 and finishing ranked No. 14 in 2001. They were 4-8 in 2002, Pasqualoni’s only losing season, and 6-6 the last two years.

Gross, a former assistant at Southern California who was hired only two weeks ago to replace the retiring Jake Crouthamel, cited several factors for his decision, including declining attendance and the team’s inconsistent play.

Tomey has rebuilding job

At an age when most coaches with Dick Tomey’s credentials are trying to relax, the 66-year-old has decided to rebuild.

Tomey became San Jose State’s new head football coach, taking the sidelines of his third college program.

The longtime Arizona coach knows his new task is difficult: The Spartans have struggled with losses, funding battles and poor attendance in recent years, and some at the school have argued for the team’s elimination. The Spartans went 14-33 in the past four seasons under Fitz Hill before his resignation last month.

None of that dissuaded Tomey, who campaigned for the job with a fervor that showed his famed competitive fire hasn’t been extinguished. Four years after resigning at Arizona in frustration, he’s ready to get back in the game.

“When somebody tells me this is difficult or you can’t do this, it just makes me want to do it all the more,” said Tomey, who will finish his first season as Texas’ assistant head coach this weekend.

Nutt not interested in LSU job

Arkansas football coach Houston Nutt withdrew from consideration for LSU’s coaching vacancy.

“I spoke briefly with LSU officials about the situation. At this time, I am very happy at the University of Arkansas. I plan on being the coach here for a very long time,” Nutt said.

LSU needs to replace Nick Saban, who is headed to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.

UCLA QB undergoes knee surgery

UCLA’s Drew Olson, who threw for 2,565 yards and 20 touchdowns this year, will undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee and may not be ready for the opening of camp next fall.

The Bruins’ junior was hurt when sacked by Wyoming’s John Flora in the second quarter of UCLA’s 24-21 loss in the Dec. 23 Las Vegas Bowl.