Fast Break
NFL
Holmgren denies rumors
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is trying to quash any thoughts he will become the new leader of the San Francisco 49ers next season.
Holmgren said Wednesday his plan is still to take a sabbatical from football in 2009. The native of San Francisco, former high school coach in the city and former 49ers assistant called Seattle his home and the Seahawks his team. Everything else is just speculation, he said.
San Francisco and Seattle are abuzz with rumors Holmgren is the prime candidate to run the 49ers next season. San Francisco (2-5) fired coach Mike Nolan this week and replaced him with Mike Singletary on an interim basis, beginning Sunday against the Seahawks (1-5).
Holmgren is in the 10th and final season as Seattle’s coach.
Big Sky basketball
Eastern men picked 7th
Eastern Washington’s men’s team has been picked to finish seventh in the Big Sky Conference in a preseason poll of league coaches, while members of the media have selected the Eagles to finish eighth.
Eastern, in its first season under head coach Kirk Earlywine, finished 11-19 overall and 6-10 in the Big Sky last year, despite having only three players on its roster with previous NCAA Division I experience. But six letterwinners – including three starters – return from that team, along with several players who redshirted last winter.
Defending conference champion Portland State was picked by both coaches and the media to defend its 2007-08 title.
WCC basketball
GU-Memphis tickets on sale
Tickets for Gonzaga’s annual Ronald McDonald House Charities Classic will be on sale today at 10 a.m.
The men’s team takes on Memphis on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Arena. Memphis made it all the way to the NCAA title game last season before losing to Kansas.
Because of the limited availability of tickets to this event and to ensure equal access to the game, guests are welcome to purchase up to two tickets per order.
Reserve seats will be $65.00 and $45.00 and are available at the Spokane Arena Box Office, all TicketsWest outlets, TicketsWest.com or by phone at 800-325-SEAT.