Newsmakers
Hired Miami (Ohio) coach Michael Haywood is known for his fiery speeches and CEO-like leadership skills. What he hasn’t proven yet is if he can coach title-contending teams at college football’s highest level. That didn’t prevent Pittsburgh from hiring Haywood to replace Dave Wannstedt. Formerly the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Haywood took over after going 1-11 and 9-4 in two seasons at Miami.
Signed The Seattle Sounders FC signed Swedish midfielder Erik Friberg. His signing will be finalized upon receipt of his international paperwork. Friberg has played the past four seasons with BK Hacken in the Swedish first division.
Retained Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham agreed to a contract extension, bringing an apparent end to his courtship to take the same job at Kansas. Terms of his new contract were not disclosed.
Added IndyCar team owner Chip Ganassi took a major step by expanding Ganassi’s two-car stable to four full-time cars after hiring 20-something American drivers Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball.
Awarded Infielder Alex Bregman, a junior at Albuquerque Academy, has been named USA Baseball’s player of the year. Bregman will receive the Richard W. “Dick” Case award after being named most valuable player of the Pan American championships in Lagos de Mareno, Mexico, where he hit .564 with 17 runs scored, two home runs and 17 RBIs in nine games.
Arrested No. 3 Kansas suspended guard Mario Little indefinitely after he was arrested on charges of battery, criminal damage and criminal trespassing following a predawn fight with his girlfriend and others in Lawrence, Kan.
Issued A Las Vegas judge issued an outstanding arrest warrant for boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. on a misdemeanor battery complaint alleging he poked a security guard in the face several times. The warrant issued Dec. 8 requires Mayweather to turn himself in or face arrest at any time, said Las Vegas police Officer Bill Cassel.