In brief: Paterno’s Hall induction happens a year late

The College Football Hall of Fame news conference Tuesday night in New York had started by the time Joe Paterno showed up and grabbed his seat at the end of the dais.

“I apologize for being one year and 20 minutes late,” the 80-year-old Penn State coach said.

The second-winningest coach in the history of major college football was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2006, but his induction had to be put on hold because this time last year he was recovering from a broken leg that was the result of two players running into him during a game.

Paterno will complete his 51st season as head coach at Penn State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 19 against Texas A&M. The rest of the class of 13 new hall of famers includes players Doug Flutie (Boston College), the 1984 Heisman Trophy winner; Chris Zorich (Notre Dame); Tom Brahaney (Oklahoma); Dave Brown (Michigan); Jeff Davis (Clemson); Johnnie Johnson (Texas); Rex Kern (Ohio State); Anthony Thompson (Indiana); Wilson Whitley (Houston); Reggie Williams (Dartmouth); and Richard Wood (Southern Cal), and coach Herb Deromedi (Central Michigan).

“Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension that includes a $200,000 annual raise and ends speculation he might leave for another job.

“Trent Miles, an assistant on Tyrone Willingham’s staffs at Stanford, Notre Dame and Washington the past seven years, was chosen as the new coach at Indiana State.

“Clemson coach Tommy Bowden agreed to a four-year extension that, if he stays until the end, would keep him with the Tigers longer than any coach but Frank Howard.

“West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez received a $150,000 bonus for winning the Big East and getting the Mountaineers into the Bowl Championship Series.

“Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock won the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Soccer

Romario blames meds

Brazilian star Romario attributed his failed drug test to a substance found in anti-balding medication.

The 41-year-old striker for Vasco da Gama said he tested positive for the banned substance finasteride in October.

He said he had been using the drug, whose active ingredient is Propecia, to prevent hair loss.

Miscellany

Unification fight set

The fractured state of the heavyweight division has long been the scapegoat for the declining popularity of boxing.

Wladamir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov intend to take the first step toward gluing the division – not to mention the sport – back together.

Klitschko, the IBF champion and widely considered the best of the four current titleholders, will face WBO champ Ibragimov on Feb. 23 at Madison Square Garden, in the first unification fight in eight years in boxing’s marquee division.

“NASCAR is looking for another series title sponsor after Sears’ decision to end its title sponsorship of the Truck Series after the 2009 season.