Pepperdine hires JC coach Walberg
Vance Walberg was hired as men’s basketball coach at Pepperdine on Tuesday after building winning junior college programs.
Paul Westphal was fired March 15, shortly after the Waves lost their final eight games to finish the season 7-20. Westphal had a 76-72 record in his five seasons.
Walberg, 50, guided Fresno City College to a 34-0 record and state championship in 2005, and went 33-6 and made it to the semifinals of the state playoffs this past season.
Fresno had a 133-11 record during his four years at the school.
University of Montana coach Larry Krystkowiak was one of four finalists for the Pepperdine coaching position. He withdrew from consideration Monday, saying he still has more to accomplish at UM.
•Florida assistant Anthony Grant assumed his first head coaching job, taking over at Virginia Commonwealth University.
•Arizona State assistant Brooks Thompson was hired as head coach at Texas-San Antonio, school officials said.
•Leon Powe said he will announce today whether he will skip his final two seasons at California and make himself eligible for the NBA draft.
College women’s basketball
Penn St. fines coach
Penn State fined coach Rene Portland $10,000 after concluding she violated university policy in her treatment of a player who was perceived to be a lesbian.
The university said Portland would be dismissed for any future violation of the school’s nondiscrimination policy. She was also ordered to take professional development “devoted to diversity and inclusiveness.”
•Former WNBA and North Carolina star Sylvia Crawley is the new coach at Ohio University.
Horse racing
Discreet Cat won’t run
Discreet Cat is on his way to the United States, but the undefeated colt won’t be running in the Kentucky Derby.
Owned by Sheik Mohammed’s Dubai-based Godolphin Racing Inc., Discreet Cat is 3 for 3 after winning the UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba on March 25. At that time, Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said the colt would be considered for the Derby on May 6.
Sports people
Graves steps down
Andy Graves, the first employee hired by car owner Chip Ganassi when he started his NASCAR operation, resigned as team manager as part of a shakeup within the three-car operation. … The Kansas City Chiefs signed free-agent cornerback Chris Johnson. … Safety Andre Lott signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. … Linebacker Gerald Hayes and defensive end Antonio Smith have re-signed with the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced. … Tom Mickle, 55, executive director of Florida Citrus Sports and a former Atlantic Coast Conference associate commissioner, died Monday at Orlando, Fla.