NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt’s Bobby Johnson retired abruptly Wednesday as the Commodores’ head football coach for what he called personal reasons.
Johnson called it a very difficult decision, but one not prompted by health concerns for himself or his wife.
“Football is not life, but it’s a way of life and it consumes your life,” Johnson said. “You only have so many years to live, and you want to see a different way.”
The school said Robbie Caldwell will be the interim head coach after serving as assistant head coach.
Johnson was 29-66 in eight seasons and led Commodores to their only nonlosing season (7-6) since 1982 in 2008.
Storm prevails in three OTs
PHOENIX — Sue Bird made a 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds left in the third overtime to lift the Seattle Storm to a 111-107 WNBA victory against the Phoenix Mercury.
Lauren Jackson added a late free throw in the closing seconds to give the Storm (17-2) its franchise- best eighth consecutive victory in the fifth triple-overtime game in WNBA history.
• Sandrine Gruda scored 21 points to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 77-68 victory over Indiana, snapping its three-game losing skid and ending the Fever’s seven-game home winning streak.
• Nicky Anosike had 16 points, a late steal and a picture-perfect assist to Rebekkah Brunson for the go-ahead layup with 7.2 seconds left to lift the host Minnesota Lynx to an 83-81 victory over the Atlanta Dream.
• Sylvia Fowles led five players in double-digit scoring as the Chicago Sky beat the visiting San Antonio Silver Stars 88-61 to snap a two- game losing skid.
Willsie signs with Capitals
WASHINGTON — Right wing Brian Willsie signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Capitals.
The 32-year-old Willsie has 52 goals and 56 assists in 380 career NHL games for the Avalanche, Washington and Los Angeles. He played most of last season with Colorado’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, where he had 26 goals and 31 assists in 75 games.
• The Minnesota Wild re-signed backup goalie Josh Harding to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
It’s a no-go for Iroquois team
NEW YORK — An American Indian lacrosse team — the Iroquois Nationals — that refuses to accept U.S. passports will not be allowed entry into England for the world championship of the sport the Iroquois helped invent.
Footnotes.
Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller‘s return for another season on the slopes appears almost imminent after he signed and submitted his contract to be a member of the U.S. Ski Team.
• The Argentine Football Association will offer Maradona a four- year contract that will keep him in charge of the national team.
• Teal Bunbury scored in the 14th minute and Jimmy Nielsen made seven saves to lead the Kansas City Wizards to a 1-0 MLS victory over the host Columbus Crew.
The Associated Press
