Texas Tech coach Gillispie resigns

Men’s basketball: Texas Tech fans had pinned their basketball hopes on Billy Gillispie.

He had turned around two other flagging programs in the state, and they hoped he would do the same for the Red Raiders.

They watched a difficult first year in which Texas Tech won just one Big 12 game. Now fans won’t get a chance to see a possible turnaround similar to what the 52-year-old coach had done at UTEP and Texas A&M.

Gillispie, a West Texas native, resigned on Thursday, citing health concerns.

“Billy has decided to focus on his health, and we wish him a full recovery,” athletic director Kirby Hocutt said in a news release.

Gillispie (pictured above) will be paid the remainder of this contract year, about seven months’ worth, or about $467,000.

Chris Walker, who took over day-to-day operations, will remain in that position until an interim head coach is chosen.

Associated Press

Castroneves feels the beat

IndyCar: Helio Castroneves raced from the IndyCar season finale to the dance floor, where he was already a week behind the competition in rehearsals for the “Dancing with the Stars” All-Star edition.

The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner had to finish his season with Penske Racing before he could shift focus to his dance moves. He got in several three-hour dance sessions with partner Chelsie Hightower before Saturday night’s final race at Fontana, Calif.

Now that he’s out of the race car, he’s dancing full time to learn his routine in time for Monday night’s season-opening show.

Castroneves won the fifth season of “Dancing” and said the show gives him a platform to introduce IndyCar to new fans.

Associated Press