College players enter NFL draft

Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State’s game-breaking receiver and return man, and Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma’s fleet running back, will pass up their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft. Monday was the deadline for underclassmen to declare their intentions.

Buckeyes’ tailback Antonio Pittman will also leave school early.

Record-breaking Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan declared himself eligible for the draft, too, but left himself the option of returning to the Warriors.

Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, however, said he was staying in school.

Personnel changes

The Carolina Panthers fired offensive coordinator Dan Henning and two other assistants, two weeks after finishing a disappointing 8-8 season.

Offensive line coach Mike Maser and secondary coach Rod Perry were also let go.

•The Green Bay Packers promoted Joe Philbin to replace Jeff Jagodzinski as the team’s offensive coordinator.

•The New York Giants hired Jerry Reese as their general manager, making him only the third black GM in NFL history.

•Assistant head coach Russ Grimm has emerged as the front-runner for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching job, a search that was narrowed to three finalists after offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt left for Arizona.

The Steelers identified Grimm and defensive coordinators Mike Tomlin of the Minnesota Vikings and Ron Rivera of the Chicago Bears as the finalists. Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey is no longer being considered.

•New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer withdrew from consideration for the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job.

Former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. visited the Dolphins’ complex for a second interview. The only other candidate known to have met twice with team officials is Georgia Tech’s Gailey.