MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State football coach Brady Hoke resigned to accept the same job at San Diego State.
Ball State went 12-1 this season, with its loss coming against Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference championship game. It is uncertain if Hoke, who went 34-38 in six years at Ball State, will coach the Cardinals in the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6. He replaces Chuck Long, who was fired in November after going 9-27 in three seasons.
• Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack, a former defensive coordinator at Wyoming, will coach Illinois State, replacing Denver Johnson, who resigned after a 3-8 season.
• On the same day Gene Chizik said Auburn “hired the right guy” to succeed Tommy Tuberville as the Tigers’ 26th head coach, Charles Barkley claimed the hire smacked of racism.
“I believe race had a factor. Of course I do,” said Barkley, who said he was pulling for his alma mater to hire Buffalo’s Turner Gill. “I just can’t believe they picked this guy over Turner Gill. I’m just in shock.”
Athletic director Jay Jacobs denied race was a factor, saying he picked “the best fit for Auburn.”
Chizik went 5-19 in two seasons with the Cyclones. Gill led Buffalo (8-5) to a Mid-American Conference championship this season.
• Connecticut tailback Donald Brown, the nation’s leading rusher with 1,822 yards, said he will return for his senior season.
Phillies, Moyer agree to contract
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies signed left-hander Jamie Moyer to a $13 million, two-year contract, reached a preliminary agreement with right-hander Chan Ho Park and reported second baseman Chase Utley is recovering well from hip surgery and hopes to be ready for opening day.
• San Diego Padres owner John Moores has hired the firm Goldman Sachs to search for a potential buyer as he goes through a divorce from his wife, Becky.
Woods “disappointed”
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Tiger Woods‘ caddie said he regrets his disparaging comment about Phil Mickelson, saying he was making light of his dislike for him and “just having some fun.”
Steve Williams was quoted as saying he wouldn’t call Mickelson a great player “because I think he’s a (expletive).”
Woods criticized his caddie and said he would handle it privately.
“I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect,” Woods said. “It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with.”
Footnotes.
Hugh McCutcheon, who led the U.S. men’s volleyball team to the gold medal in Beijing, agreed to coach the U.S. women’s team through the 2012 Olympics.
• U.S. women’s soccer coach Pia Sundhage received a four-year contract extension.
• Mississippi State basketball coach Rick Stansbury was hospitalized after complaining of severe migraines and flu-like symptoms.
• Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation, citing a drop in sales due to the global financial crisis, has pulled out of next year’s FIA World Rally Championship.
The Associated Press
