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Newsmakers: Memphis hires Tubby Smith as Tigers’ new basketball coach

New University of Memphis head basketball coach Tubby Smith speaks during an introductory press conference in Memphis, Tennessee. (Mark Weber / Associated Press)
From staff and wire reports

Hired Memphis is turning to Tubby Smith to get the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament, something the veteran coach already has done at five other schools. Smith was introduced as the Tigers’ new coach, less than a week after Georgia Tech hired away Josh Pastner.

Introduced South Dakota State on Thursday introduced T.J. Otzelberger, a top assistant at Iowa State, as its new men’s basketball coach. Otzelberger replaces longtime coach Scott Nagy, who took the job at Wright State after leading the Jackrabbits to the NCAA Tournament three of the past five years.

Settled The family of a University of California, Berkeley, football player who died after a team drill in 2014 has settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with the school system for $4.75 million, bringing months of litigation to a close. Ted Agu died at age 21 shortly after an off-season conditioning workout outside Cal’s Memorial Stadium.

Agreed Louisville coach Bobby Petrino has agreed to a new seven-year, $30.625 million contract through 2023 that could pay an annual base salary of $4.375 million if incentives are met.

Extended Xavier gave coach Chris Mack an extra year on his contract, extending the deal through the 2021-22 season. The Musketeers went 28-6 last season, were ranked No. 5 for the first time in history, and got a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Died One of the first female basketball players inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Nera White, has died. She was 80 years old. White died Wednesday at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin, Tennessee.

Declared Vanderbilt junior center Damian Jones is bypassing his final year of eligibility to enter the NBA Draft. The 7-foot, 245 pound Jones was All-Southeastern Conference first-team as a sophomore and junior.