Kosar claims interest in Hurricanes job

Former University of Miami and NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar would like to return to the Hurricanes – as their next coach.

Miami television station WFOR reported Tuesday night that Kosar would like the job, and the Miami Herald quoted Kosar in its Wednesday editions saying, “I’m interested.”

“UM people knew that I had been offered the president of the Cleveland Browns job,” Kosar told the newspaper. “They knew I wanted to get back into football and asked if I’d be interested in the UM job. At first it was just flattering, but then I thought, ‘Yeah, I’d really like to look into it.’ “

Kosar, who told the newspaper that he’s had preliminary talks with university officials about replacing Larry Coker as coach of the Hurricanes, did not immediately return e-mails or phone messages.

Kosar has no coaching experience, but he often serves as a mentor to quarterbacks at Miami, where he serves as a university trustee. He retired from the NFL after a 12-year career with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.

•West Virginia plans to spend millions on its facilities and hopes the improvements will help persuade coach Rich Rodriguez to stay with the Mountaineers.

Rodriguez met with Alabama athletic director Mal Moore, who’s looking for a new head coach.

“We want him to stay,” West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong said in a phone interview. “He’s the one that can make that call. We’re hoping it continues.”

•North Carolina State appears ready to hire Boston College’s Tom O’Brien as its new football coach, according to multiple reports.

Rodeo

Big night for DeMoss

After a couple of close calls, saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss finally enjoyed the night’s best ride in the National Finals Rodeo at Las Vegas.

In the process, DeMoss made a close race even tighter by leapfrogging Chad Ferley at the top of the world standings with just three days remaining before rodeo crowns its world champions.

Cheney cowboy Ryan Gray had no score on Raylene of the Korkow Rodeo string, dropping him to 14th in the average for bareback.

Boxing

Harrison vacates title

Scott Harrison pulled out of his WBO featherweight defense fight and vacated his title.

Harrison was scheduled to fight Nicky Cook in London on Saturday, but his father and trainer Peter Harrison told Britain’s Press Association his son was unable to get to less than 133 pounds and will give up the title he’s held for four years.

The 29-year-old Scottish fighter was arrested for assault in southern Spain on Oct. 6 while training for the bout and was bailed out on Nov. 13.

Golf

Tournament moved

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is leaving one island for another.

The PGA of America said the tournament is leaving Poipu Bay in Hawaii for the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, the first time in its 24-year history that it will be played outside the United States.

Featuring the four major champions of the year, it will be played Oct. 16-17.

Miscellany

Ex-Olympian dies

Kevin Berry, who won a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly for Australia at the 1964 Olympics and set 10 swimming world records during his career, died after a fall in a Sydney, Australia, nursing home, Swimming Australia said. He was 61.

•Southeast Missouri women’s basketball coach B.J. Smith resigned after he was placed on paid leave last month for personal reasons.

•An athlete must win all six events next season to earn a piece of the $1 million Golden League jackpot.

The International Association of Athletics Federations decided to scrap giving athletes who win five of their meets some of the prize money. Instead, a $500,000 prize will only be split among the winners of five events if there are no six-time winners.