Quick kicks

Western Washington hands reins to Ross

Robin Ross, linebackers coach at Oregon State University, has been named head football coach at Western Washington University, the school’s athletic department announced Saturday.

Ross, 51, replaces longtime coach Rob Smith, who resigned early last month at the end of a 4-6 season for the Vikings. Western had a 109-62-1 record during Smith’s 17-year tenure.

Ross was the Vikings’ defensive coordinator in 1994 and 1995. The team led Division II in scoring defense in 1994 and went 9-0 the following year for the first undefeated regular season in nearly six decades.

“The most enjoyable years I’ve had coaching were at Western,” Ross said in a statement released by the school. “I love to teach, and I found that it’s a lot truer form of coaching here. A lot more of the players at this level are here because they love football.”

Ross, who has a home in the Bellingham area, also has coached in the NFL. He was Oakland’s linebackers coach for two years, including the 2000 season, when the Raiders were 12-4 and reached the AFC championship.

Tulsa’s Mills sets NCAA mark for tight ends

Tulsa tight end Garrett Mills broke the NCAA record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a season in the Conference USA championship game against Central Florida in Orlando, Fla.

Mills’ 29-yard touchdown catch with 2:06 left in the opening half gave him 1,164 yards for the year, eclipsing the mark of 1,156 set by Brigham Young’s Chris Smith in 1990.

Mills entered the game with 75 catches, the most among Division I-A tight ends this season.

UTEP to play in GMAC Bowl

Texas El-Paso (8-3) will play Toledo (8-3) of the Mid-American Conference in the GMAC Bowl on Dec. 21 in Mobile, Ala.

UTEP is coached by former Washington State coach Mike Price.

Toledo is led by record-setting quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.

Gradkowski is the school career leader in passing yards and completions. He has 80 career touchdown passes.