Ex-all-time coach Brown is committed to lead the Lakers

Mike Brown is the new coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers were expected to announce Brown as the 22nd coach in franchise history Wednesday afternoon but first issued a statement.

"In response to rampant speculation and reports about our head coaching position and Mike Brown, we've met with Mike and are very impressed with him," the team said. "In addition, we have an outline for an agreement in place and hope to sign a contract within the next few days."

Brown, who is currently in Cleveland, will sign the contract later this week. According to league sources, the deal will be for four years and $18.25 million.

The development is a victorious comeback for Brown, who was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers almost a year ago to the day. Now, the 41-year-old Brown, the winningest coach in Cavaliers history, is leading one of the most prestigious and successful franchise in modern basketball history.

The contract is a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth year. If the Lakers don't pick up the option, Brown is guaranteed to receive $2.5 million.

Brown's union with the Lakers came together quickly. An ESPN analyst and the 2008-09 NBA coach of the year, he emerged as the leading candidate for the vacancy created when Phil Jackson retired after a strong face-to-face interview Saturday with Lakers brass including executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss, ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported.

"I think it's great," said LeBron James, the face of the Cavs during Brown's tenure.

Brown, 41, guided Cleveland to the 2007 NBA Finals and two trips to the Eastern Conference finals in five seasons with the Cavaliers, posting a record of 272-138.

ESPN NBA Insider Chris Broussard explains why Mike Brown's coaching style and experience make him a great fit for the Lakers.

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While Brown's teams were noted for their defense, their offensive schemes were much maligned for their over-dependency on James to create without the consistent involvement of his teammates.

Although James was critical of Brown's strategies during their final playoff run together, the two-time NBA MVP strongly endorsed his former coach Wednesday.

"Mike Brown is a great coach," James said. "He brought us success that we hadn't had before in that city, and it started with his defensive concepts. He brought in a defensive mindset that we didn't have. Fifty-plus wins, he was coach of the year, he got us to the (NBA) Finals, won us the Eastern Conference finals ... because of him and his coaching staff. I respect him. He definitely helped me become who I am today."

Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss addressed the issue of the team's offense moving forward in an interview with SiriusXM Radio on Tuesday.

"We're not going to continue exclusively with the triangle," Buss told Playboy Radio's Michael Eaves and Bonnie-Jill Laflin. "Certainly, there will be facets of the triangle incorporated into any modern offense."

Brown would be likely to implement an offensive system similar to what the San Antonio Spurs run, which includes triangle principles, according to a Western Conference coach familiar with Brown's career. Brown was an assistant coach in San Antonio from 2000 to 2003.

Brown's interview, combined with his track record of success in Cleveland, moved him ahead of the two other candidates the Lakers interviewed, Rick Adelman and Brian Shaw.

 Mike Brown will become the sixth person to coach at least two games for the Lakers with Kobe Bryant. Only Phil Jackson won a title with Kobe but Del Harris did put together a higher winning percentage.

Shaw, a longtime Lakers assistant under Jackson, had a public endorsement from superstar Kobe Bryant, but Shaw will likely be moving on to another franchise after the hiring of Brown. He is a candidate for the head-coaching job in Golden State, though sources say the Warriors want to hire a coach with prior head-coaching experience.

Lakers brass did not consult Bryant during their coaching search, but sources say Bryant has great respect for Brown and is on board with the hiring.

With the Lakers realizing their hopes of landing Brown, runner-up Adelman would move to the Warriors' short list, sources told Bucher.

Former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Kevin McHale is also among the Warriors' top candidates. McHale was expected to meet with Rockets owner Les Alexander on Wednesday, but a source cautioned not to interpret that as McHale being on track to get the job. McHale is battling assistant coach Dwane Casey to succeed Adelman in Houston, a source said, and the Rockets could make a decision as early as Thursday.

The Warriors, conversely, will not hire a new head coach until next week at the earliest, a source said.

Maradona will be Dubai club coach, add "calibre".

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Diego Maradona pledged Monday to coach of the club of the United Arab Emirates United Al Wasl, marking the return of the Argentine great for coaches since leading his country to the quarterfinals of the World Cup last year.

He signed a two year contract and will be in charge at the opening of the season next September. He joined a team from fourth place to boost its prospects, attract more sponsors and fans and "set unprecedented standards."

Al Wasl officials would not disclose the financial terms of contract, but said Maradona would be responsible for leading the club to "new heights."

Diego Maradona has visited Al Wasl Saturday Training Centre and is in talks for several days.

The 50-year-old Maradona visited training camp Saturday in the club and had been in talks with the team for several days. Wearing a shirt polo, shorts and baseball cap, the tattooed Maradona blew kisses to the fans that he assaulted and chanted his name while he was watching the team practice.

He did not speak to journalists and the club said that he left Sunday for the Spain attend the birthday party of his daughter in Madrid. It should return to Dubai next month.

"Al Wasl Sports Club has become synonymous with achievements of this caliber, and we are very pleased to welcome Maradona from a long line of awards, in the history of the club," vice chairman Marwan Bin Bayat said in a statement. "This partnership embodies the vision of the club as it embraces the development of forward thinking in the region to establish standards for sport unprecedented."

Since the defeat of the use of the Argentina last year, Maradona has been linked to several vacant positions of coaching the national team of the Iran and English clubs Fulham and Blackburn.

Al Wasl, whose season ends next month, has been seeking a coach since Sergio Farias of shooting in March. The four best teams in the League qualify for the next season of the Asian Champions League.

The sports club, which includes the football team, is chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a brother of the ruler of Dubai. Al Wasl is regarded as one of the top of Dubai clubs, but nothing has not won since 2007. That same year, he won the title of the League of the United Emirates Arab former, which included primarily amateur clubs and the UAE Presidents Cup Arab. The League turned fully professional three years ago.

Carlo Nohra, Director General of the League, called the hiring of Maradona "good news" a 12-team League which saw its attendance this year of 30 per cent.

"Maradona football credentials speak for themselves, and while it is too early for us to decide what means this appointment for the League or the club, its profile and popularity brought no doubt the focus to the League"which is like a positive thing "Nohra said."

Last year, the club of Dubai Al Ahli signed and subsequently fired former Leeds and Aston Villa Manager David O'Leary. He also signed former Juventus captain Fabio Cannavaro, remaining with the club, but he is injured.

Maradona was Captain when the Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, to the Mexico but a ballooning size later slowed his explosive speed and he retired in 1997.

Before taking as coach of the Argentina in 2008, he had produced only Deportivo Mandiyu in 1994 and the Racing Club in 1995. In both cases, he left before his contract is up.

Under Maradona, the Argentina results were mixed, with two of its worst losses - a rout of 6-1 by the Bolivia in the World Cup qualification and loss quarter-final 4-0 in Germany during the tournament in South Africa.

Kennedy left St. Murray to coach Texas A & m

Billy Kennedy decided to leave the State of Murrary and become the next coach at Texas A & M.

"I think it is the ideal solution for Texas A & Mr. in talking to several people that I respect in NCAA, they mentioned Billy as an outstanding basketball coach but a better person," Sports Director Bill Byrne said in a statement of the school. "" "". He is a winner and his players play hard for him and they play an aggressive style of defence. It has proven it can recruit in the country, but I am waiting for him to do more advanced here in the State of Texas. ?

Kyle Terada / Billy Kennedy of PresswireMurray US State has accepted the head coaching job and will replace Mark Turgeon at Texas A & M.

Financial terms were not released, but a close source of one of the previous candidates said Sunday before the Aggies were prepared to offer their new coach 1.3 million to $ 1.5 million per year.

"I look forward to returning to Aggieland," Kennedy, a former assistant at A & M, said in a statement. "Even if I was there for little time, it I could say that aggieland is a special place.". Aggies have much pride and passion for their school and their sports programs. I watched with interest the recent success and the games of the NCAA tournament over the past six years. I look forward to meet the team and runs the work towards a seventh NCAA bid and even more profound tournament.

The 47-year old Kennedy is introduced on campus Monday.

Byrne and sports managing partner John Thornton met Kennedy early Saturday and then flew to Fargo, s.d., to meet in Northern Iowa, Ben Jacobson, but Jacobson chose to remain in place.

The Aggies had been debating between the two candidates to succeed Mark Turgeon, who was announced as head coach of Maryland last week, with Jacobson with an impressive interview, according to another source.

But links from Kennedy to Texas A & M and its force of recruitment in Texas and Louisiana, where he was a former coach of State, can influence the rental for Kennedy.

Assistant coach Scott Spinelli was candidate to the rescue, but he will now be in Maryland with Turgeon.

Seth Allen, a guard 6-foot-1 the school of Christian Fredericksburg (MD) in the class of 2012, was recruited by Spinelli and Turgeon at Texas A & M a month ago. But on Saturday, Allen is committed to Maryland as first recruit of the Turgeon.

Murray State won the title of the season regular Ohio Valley Conference in March with a record of 14-4 in the Kennedy administration. The OVC tournament No. 1 seed, the runners were upset by Tennessee Tech. Murray State and then played in the Missouri State in the first round of the NIT and lost on the road to finish 23-9.

In 2010, Murray State won 31 games (17-1 OVC) and struck off the coast of Vanderbilt in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing to eventual national finalist Butler in the second round.

Kennedy took over for Mick Cronin in 2006 when Cronin went to Cincinnati. Kennedy has worked in various capacities, Southeast of Louisiana, New Orleans, Wyoming, Northwestern State (La.., Tulane, Texas A & M for a season, Creighton, Cal, Centennial and Miami, Florida prior to the Murray State.

Kennedy has coached at centenary and southeastern Louisiana and worked for Frank Haith at Miami, which is now in Missouri. Kennedy is Metairie (Louisiana), just outside New Orleans.

Maradona in talks to join the club of Dubai as coach

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Al Wasl Dubai club made an offer either his next coach Diego Maradona and talks are ongoing, the club said Sunday.

Maradona Lee Jin-manDiego, 50, has been coaching since he led the Argentina for the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.

Saturday, the great Argentine, aged 50, who has been coaching since he led the Argentina for the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup, has visited the club training facility. He has not spoken to journalists at the headquarters of the club, or when he went shopping in the commercial centre of Dubai.

Ashraf Ahmad Mohammad, executive head of the club, said "happy" with the negotiations to date it is expected that it would take several more days for an agreement. The club has said it may have an announcement Sunday, but nothing was to come.

Al Wasl is fourth in the National League and are looking for a coach since Sergio Farias of shooting in March.

It would be certainly a colourful figure should the club sign the winner of the 1986 World Cup, but not a person with extensive experience of management. Before taking the reins of the Argentina in 2008, he had only leads Deportivo Mandiyu in 1994 and the Racing Club in 1995 and in two cases left before his contract is up.

In the Argentina, Maradona results have been mixed and the team dropped to two of its worst ever losses - a hammering 6-1 by the Bolivia in the 2010 World Cup qualification and defeated quarter-final 4-0 in Germany to the tournament.

Since the defeat of the use of the Argentina last year, Maradona has been linked to several vacant positions of coaching, including the national team of the Iran and several English clubs, including Fulham and Blackburn.

Ex-Sooners coach Capel joins Duke as assistant

Duke has hired the former player and coach Jeff Capel ex-Oklahoma as assistant and named Nate James special assistant, the school announced Sunday.

Capel, who fired to Oklahoma after five seasons, was a starter in four years at Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. He has a record of 175-110 as head to Virginia Commonwealth coach and Oklahoma, where he led the Sooners to the elite eight in 2008.

Krzyzewski said pleased to have Capel join his team.

"He is exceptional coach and will be a great fit for our program," Krzyzewski said in a statement issued by the Duke. Jeff was very successful head coach of the Division I level and it will continue that here at Duke. Addition of a coach of his calibre will everyone in our program better. ?

James, who has also played for Krzyzewski at Duke, was the assistant with the program for the past three seasons. While his new role will be not on Court coaching, he will continue to help develop game strategies, to study the practices of film and game plan.

"Nate has done a very good job with us as assistant coach, and he will continue to be a major asset for our program, in his new role," said Krzyzewski. "He has a great future before him and this opportunity will allow it to continue to grow and develop."

Two other ex-Duke, Wojciechowski of Steve and Chris Collins, players are on Krzyzewski personal coaching.

Tom Thibodeau of Chicago Bulls won the NBA Coach of the Year Award trophy

CHICAGO -- Tom Thibodeau was presented with the NBA Coach of the Year award Sunday afternoon.

The first-year head coach led the Bulls to a 62-20 regular season and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

David Sherman/Getty ImagesIf Bulls star Derrick Rose wins the MVP award as expected, Rose and coach Tom Thibodeau would be the 12th duo to win both awards.

"I'm flattered, humbled and honored to receive this award, but I think it represents a lot more than just me," he said. "And it certainly reflects our team winning and our entire organization."

Thibodeau, 53, replaced the fired Vinny Del Negro in June, and with a rebuilt roster, the Bulls breezed to a mark that matched their best record since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen completed their second championship three-peat at the end of the 1997-98 season.

"I knew in the first couple of weeks that he was here that we had hit a grand slam," general manager Gar Forman said.

Thibodeau's only other head coaching job was for one season at his alma mater, Division III Salem State, in the mid-1980s. He got that after three years as an assistant.

He then spent four seasons on the staff at Harvard before going to work under Bill Musselman with the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves in 1989. He won an NBA title while on Doc Rivers' staff with the Boston Celtics in 2008, where he made a name for himself outside of the inner circles of the NBA. Thibodeau tied Paul Westphal (1992-93 with Phoenix) for most wins by a rookie head coach.

"I knew I had a great job with Boston," Thibodeau said. "And I realize how hard these jobs are to get. I felt each of those opportunities was a great opportunity, but I felt this was the best one. After being here for a year, I realize how fortunate I am to be here. It's a great city, great fans, great organization, great players. And if it meant waiting 20 years to get this job, it was well worth the wait."

Rivers texted Thibodeau Sunday to congratulate him.

 came in and did his job," said Rivers. "No. 1, he was so prepared for it. More importantly, I thought he followed through on what he came in to do. I think a lot of times, you come in there and you have some thoughts, but the first time there's adversity, you kind of change up and go another direction.

"We talk a lot, obviously, and one of the things I kept seeing was that he kept standing for his beliefs. I know when you play the Bulls, you can see his beliefs through the team. That's always the mark of a hell of a coach."

Thibodeau received 475 points and 76 first-place votes from a media panel. Philadelphia's Doug Collins got 18 first-place votes and 210 points, and Gregg Popovich of San Antonio finished third.

"No wonder why he was all fired up in practice today," Luol Deng joked on Sunday. "No, that's great. I know it's Coach Thibs' name on it, but that makes all of us feel great. Every time one of us wins something, that's just an award for all of us, really. It's been a great year. He's an awesome coach. He deserves it. He puts so much into it, and as players, if he gets that award, I'm really happy, I'm really excited that ... it's been one of those years. We put in a lot. We believe in what he's trying to do."

 

Chicago's Tom Thibodeau recently became the third NBA coach to win at least 60 games in his first year as head coach, joining Bill Russell and Paul Westphal.

Known for his defensive prowess, Thibodeau quickly proved he could handle the duties of a head coach. He spent his summer working with players individually at the Berto Center, and the team quickly adapted to his style, which included long, focused practices and extremely detailed shootarounds before games.

They struck out trying to land LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in free agency, but they wound up with one of the deepest rotations in the league.

Despite missing Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer for long stretches, the Bulls never lost more than two games in a row and finished up the regular season by winning 21 of 23 games.

They also dominated the Central division at 15-1, the lone loss coming at Indiana. On defense, they ranked among the stingiest.

No team held opponents to a lower shooting percentage or outrebounded them by a wider margin than the Bulls, who were also second to Miami in average scoring differential. That was hardly a surprise, given their coach's reputation.

Players, meanwhile, mention Thibodeau's presence, his ability to command their attention. And, of course, his work ethic, his attention to detail.

Star Derrick Rose would always see the light on in Thibodeau's office when he worked out at the team's practice facility in the summer. On bus rides, Thibodeau's up front examining the video even in the wee hours.

"[I'm] very happy for him," Noah said Sunday. "Very well deserving. Coach is one of the hardest workers I've ever been around. He stays in late. He's the first one here. He was here for me all summer, working me out, and I feel like I really improved as a player because of him in just one year. Very tough coach. And I'm happy for him."

"Fundamentally, he has not changed," said forward Brian Scalabrine, who played for Thibodeau in Boston. "His grind is just let's get this win today, let's focus on Game 1 in the Atlanta Hawks series. What are they going to do and then the adjustments we have to do. It's not about Boston, Miami or whether the Spurs lost."

The MVP award is expected to be announced Tuesday. If Rose wins as expected, Rose and Thibodeau would be the 12th duo to win both awards.

Keith Smart as coach of the Golden State Warriors

OAKLAND, California - it was a single shot that Keith Smart could not do.

Perhaps no one could.

The Golden State Warriors separated with their coach Wednesday, the first major impact this shoulder of a new property group who promised radical change in the franchise not perennial.

Smart, the guard of Indiana known for hit "the shot" against Syracuse who won the 1987 NCAA Championship title Hoosiers, spent seven years as assistant with Golden State before he replaced Don Nelson just before training camp. Warriors went to 36-46 by virtue of the chip, improved 10-match of the previous season, but clearly not enough to placate owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber.

Only a rare postseason was likely to save the jobs of Smart.

"I would say it was impossible," warriors General Manager Larry Riley said the Smart challenge. "But it was difficult." We all know that. ?

New brass managed to hastily put Smart in place even before that the NBA officially approved the sale of warriors year last for a record 450 million of long-time owner Chris Cohan. Smart was given only a one year contract with an option to team for next season, and he was often marked a candidate to fill responsible for overseeing the transition.

The coach met with Lacob and basketball operations staff in the morning and said that it would not be retained.

"It is a very complex decision and not easy to do." Nobody likes to make changes that affect someone's life, "Lacob says a few hours later, speaking before the unveiling of a court renovated bearing his name at Haight of Alameda elementary school nearby. "It is something that we felt we really had to do." We really want to strive to be a great team and we thought that we could improve ourselves. ?

Rocky Widner/Getty ImagesKeith Smart will not have the chance to improve the record of 36-46 Warriors next season.

The new owners have promised to restore the franchise to glory with splashy and playoff performances signatures. The Warriors made the playoffs only once since 1994. Yet fans in the basketball-crazy Bay area are some of the most loyal and vocal in a market saturated with sports teams.

Golden State had already decided to keep Riley: GM. The team also hired since long time agent of NBA Bob Myers a few weeks ago to be the Deputy Director and eventual successor of Riley. New coach decide to keep the assistants on staff.

Lacob said that Riley and his staff will make the choice on a new coach, with his entry. While Lacob would prefer someone with head of NBA previous coaching experience, it will not be a requirement. He refused to say if the Warriors are interested in former coach Jerry Sloan or NBA analyst for the Utah Jazz and former of the Knicks and rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy - two names which have already been surface.

Among the other sure to receive the attention of the Cleveland Cavaliers former coach Mike Brown and Lawrence Frank, coach of New Jersey Nets single which is now the wizard top with the Boston Celtics, where Lacob previously held a small stake in the team.

After one season, the Warriors decided to part with coach Keith Smart ways. Smart has led the team to 10 wins than the previous season, improved the team defensive and cut the margin of rebound of the warriors.

Lacob wish to move quickly to find a new coach and acknowledged that front office is a short list of potential candidates.

"We will look for someone that, certainly, experience, someone with a lot of great capacity to relate to the players," said Lacob. "We will focus on a number of people and try to make the best choice we can to be the best as possible."

Smart had little time to deliver a winner.

He said the moment where he began in that he would put his own stamp on the bench any how long lasted its mandate. He walked around the locker room before training camp seeking a handshake to each player, a Pact of signalling that they would allow chip to their coach and to be involved in their lives.

Ultimately, these efforts were not sufficient.

Smart was still left with the stumbling block even as many of its predecessors: work with an erroneous list that, even at its best, no competitor series the deep Western Conference playoffs. Smart juggled the combo sous-dimensionnés guard Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, with mixed results, and the absence of a genuine within presence even if new warriors exposed.

"At some level and certainly I know some will say this - that he deserved another year, that he did not have a list complete, and there is a kernel of truth," said Lacob. "But we thought that we could be better." "I think some more so desired to have their guy in the extended property.

Smart often takes a hard-line approach with Curry, banquettes even second year late leader in a few games. Their relationship has never been perfect, but the chip was always appreciated by the players - including Curry - and members of the front office until the end.

The Smart age 46 kept the run-and-fun offence Nelson perfected a time, leading to some dazzling outputs and turmoil, including a sequence of three consecutive victory in April against the Lakers in Los Angeles, Dallas and Portland. But the defensive effort was never there, and a six-losing consecutive at the end of March that struck the Warriors of playoffs contention spelled the end of the mandate of the Smart.

"It is difficult due to the personality of a guy like Keith Smart, the quality of the individual was and the fact that it is fully professional," said Riley. "In this regard, there are a few difficulties." On the other side of this is that we make a decision to go forward. ?

Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell given fine prohibition, 2 weeks

ATLANTA - Brave tongue coach that Roger McDowell was suspended for two weeks pay Sunday by Major League Baseball for inappropriate comments and gestures made toward fans before a match in San Francisco.

The suspension is retroactive to Friday, when McDowell was placed on administrative leave by the Braves. He was also fined an amount undisclosed incident April 23.

McDowell is required to complete training for sensitivity and will apologize directly to the involved fans, Justin Quinn and his family.

Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement Sunday that insensitivity to others "simply cannot and will not be tolerated."

"I understand that Mr McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and I hope that this incident will serve to raise awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others," said Selig. "I congratulate Justin Quinn and his family to bring this issue to our attention so that it will reproduce in the future."

Quinn said it was in the stands with his wife and 9-year two twin daughters before the match April 23 in San Francisco where he noticed McDowell ask three men "Are you guys a couple homo or a trio."

Quinn said McDowell crude sexual gestures with her hips and a bat. Quinn said he shouted, Hey y kids here. ?

According to Quinn, said McDowell kids do not belong to a baseball park, picked up a bat, walking Quinn and asked, "How are your teeth worth?".

McDowell issued an apology Thursday and, according to the release by the Office of the Commissioner, requested the week last to apologize directly to the Quinn and his family. The apology was delayed until that investigation has been completed.

“

I understand that Mr McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and I hope that this incident will serve to raise awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others.

"-Commissioner Bud Selig MLB"

"I understand the decision made today by the Commissioner," McDowell said in a statement Sunday. "I'm embarrassed by my actions and I intend to give a personal apology to Mr. Quinn and his family." I would like to offer a sincere and public apology to the fans of San Francisco, the Organization of the Braves in Atlanta, my family and the major League Baseball. ?

Brave President John Schuerholz, stated that the team supports the decision of the Selig.

"We were clearly disappointed in the comments and actions of Roger and the Organization of Braves of Atlanta does not tolerate such behaviour," said Schuerholz.

"The Organization Braves of Atlanta and Roger McDowell regret deeply that this incident occurred and even once my apologies to all involved, including Mr Quinn and his family and the San Francisco Giants and their fans."

The release by the Office of the Commissioner said that Quinn and his family will be invited to a match at giant home as guests of the major League Baseball. Also, the baseball will be "soft" to education programs that promote tolerance and sensitivity.

In a statement released by his lawyer, Gloria Allred, Quinn applauded the discipline imposed on McDowell.

"I am pleased to see discipline imposing of major League Baseball on coach McDowell for his actions," said Quinn. "I love baseball dearly and my family and I are now eager to return to the ballpark for another game."

"" Allred, said discipline "shows that the major League Baseball believes that behaviour threatening the coaches or any other person employed in a game in major league and homophobic conduct sexually obscene insults is not tolerated."

Minor League pitching Coordinator Dave Wallace is completed for McDowell.

George Mason Patriots tab former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt to replace Jim Larranaga

FAIRFAX, Virginia. - Paul Hewitt is new male basketball at George Mason coach.

Former Georgia Tech coach was hired Saturday to replace Jim Larranaga, who left this month for the University of Miami.

Hewitt was fired by the Yellow Jackets last month. He went to 190-162 to 11 years in school and only 72-104 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Hewitt coach Georgia Tech for the 2004 national title game, losing against Connecticut to San Antonio 82-73.

Josh d. Weiss / US PresswireGeorge Mason hired Paul Hewitt to replace Jim Larranaga, former coach of Georgia Tech.

Hewitt receives a redemption of 7.2 million dollars over five years from Georgia Tech, making it more affordable for a school such as George Mason of the Colonial Athletic Association.

Former Sports Director of Georgia Tech Dave Braine signed Hewitt to the agreement with Georgia Tech paying Hewitt. Georgia Tech has hired Brian Gregory Dayton to replace Hewitt.

Sports Director of George Mason Tom O'Connor said ESPN.com that Hewitt has agreed to a five year contract with the package of total remuneration comparable to that which has been provided to Larranaga when he plans to leave for Miami. This package is estimated at about a 1 million per year in a "good year" when all the bonuses are met.

O'Connor said redemption of $ 7.2 million of Hewitt he receives from Georgia Tech had no impact on the negotiation.

"We were in a market for a basketball coach and we wanted to ensure our compensation was in line," said O'Connor.

An official of Georgia Tech said Andy Katz of ESPN.com that contract of Georgia Tech Hewitt had no offset should he take another job. Hewitt will receive the full redemption of the Yellow Jackets, an approximate audit of $130,000 per month for the next five years.

Hewitt will meet Sunday night with players and be presented at a press conference on the campus of George Mason Monday at 2 pm.

O'Connor said he was not concerned that Hewitt had been fired at Georgia Tech. He said that Hewitt talked to him control of the last two seasons.

O'Connor said that he had gotten to know Hewitt over the past five years, while Hewitt was an active member of the National Association of basketball coaches and while O'Connor was men's basketball NCAA tournament selection Committeeincluding a year as President.

“

It is a great human being. I felt that it had all the tools to succeed. I know it is a large x and o guy but he has the whole package.

"- Director sportif George Mason Tom O'Connor on Paul Hewitt.

He was transferred by the speeches of Hewitt memorial to the service rendered tribute to the former President of the NCAA Myles brand, said O'Connor. Hewitt was the only coach to speak at the Memorial in Indianapolis, a year ago.

O'Connor said that Hewitt was not the only coach interviewed for the position. O'Connor was talking about Rhode Island coach Jim Baron, O'Connor had known for years.

O'Connor said that Hewitt has launched the interest for the position.

"He told us that if he would stay in coaching then he wanted that it is a program where he knew he could be successfully like ours," said O'Connor.

O'Connor did not hire a research firm.

"I was research," said O'Connor. "I knew that as soon as I had brought Paul to meet everyone here that he was all - on campus and in the community." It is a great human being. I felt that it had all the tools to succeed. I know it is a large x and o guy but it all. ?

O'Connor said ESPN.com Larranaga left for Miami that he wanted to hire a new coach quickly, especially with an experienced roster.

The Patriots are the Favorites of Colonial Athletic Association of consensus for the next season and a team of top-25 pre-season expected. Hewitt is a better team in 2011-2012, as the Yellowjackets are expected to finish near the bottom of the ACC.

Hewitt had experience coaching at a conference outside of the six power when he was the head coach to his own.

Hewitt has been a staunch member of NCAA coaches training. At least an ACC coach told ESPN.com that Hewitt was the most ardent to push the new rule project NBA which is out of the ACC and was adopted in April by the Legislative Council of the NCAA and the Board of Directors.

The new rule of NBA draft calls for underclassmen to declare for the draft by April 10, 2012, without a period to test NBA draft process. The present rule gives underclassmen a period of two weeks to test from April 24 to May 8, 2011.

Braves of Atlanta place Launcher coach Roger McDowell on "administrative leave".

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Braves placed Launcher coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave Friday then that they investigate allegations he comments homophobic and crude gestures to fans before a match in San Francisco last weekend.

McDowell is also accused of using a baseball bat to threaten a fan who oppose his actions.

Analgesics former major league apologized in a statement, but the team prohibited entry for bench in a series of three games against the St. Louis Cardinals.

General Manager Frank Wren said he hoped that the inquiry wrapped by the end of the weekend and added that any punishment would be coordinated with the major League Baseball.

Suspension of de facto McDowell came hours after the announcement of the team, he was seeking the arrest Thursday of starting pitcher Derek Lowe charges drunk driving, a double dose of difficulty for a team that has always prided itself to avoid off-field incidents.

Wren addressed this issue at a meeting of team closed Friday, shortly before the Braves went to the stick practice.

"We have a reputation for a long time in this community in major League Baseball that we are very proud of", Wren said. "Unfortunately, errors were committed, and we will deal with them at the appropriate time after careful consideration of all the facts."

"Everyone", he added, "is very aware of the position that we have and, in the future, being more diligent in ensuring that confirm us this reputation we are so proud of."

While Wren would step to discuss possible sanctions, Manager Fredi Gonzalez said that he is not expected the incident cost McDowell her employment.

"In my opinion, it shouldn't." "It is really", said Gonzalez. "I am sure there are some circles that it will pass, some to apologize, that it should have to go through." But for a person to lose their job, I do not think. I hope that is not. ?

The altercation at AT & T Park in San Francisco was held Saturday last in the pregame batting practice. Justin Quinn was in the stands with his wife and twin daughters of 9 years old when he noticed McDowell harass the three men and asking, "Are you guys a couple homo or a trio."

After rough coach sexual gestures with her hips and a bat, Quinn said he shouted, "Hey, you kids here.". According to Quinn, said McDowell kids do not belong to a baseball park, picked up a bat, walking Quinn and asked, "How are your teeth worth?".

Quinn said that he felt threatened and that he was not sure if McDowell had intended to hit him.

"My children are in panic mode... they are as striking on me," Quinn said Wednesday at a press conference in the Office of the prominent Los Angeles Attorney Gloria Allred. "" "". I want to talk about him, trying to calm down and children shout. ?

Some parents who were in the stands with their children began to boo at McDowell and are dropped to retrieve their children. Quinn said that finally distributed McDowell.

"I am deeply sorry that I have answered the fans heckling in San Francisco," McDowell said in a statement, the audience only comment on this issue. "I am sorry for all of my actions."

Allred, said Friday that she was "very pleased" by the action of the Braves, adding that she spoke with the Commissioner of baseball Bud Selig on the incident earlier in the day.

"I was contacted by other fans who claim that they have witnessed the incidents in question and that declare that they corroborate the conduct that support us," Allred said in an e-mail. "We offer all relevant evidence to the Commissioner for his investigation." We appreciate the fact that the Commissioner said to me that the conduct alleged, if verified, would be totally unacceptable and that appropriate measures will be taken at the end of the investigation. We welcome the results. ?

Selig already called the allegations "very troubling" and said that he would await the results of the investigation of the team.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance against defamation called the Braves and the major League Baseball to take "real disciplinary and only send the message that homophobic insults have no place in sports."

"Professional sports events should be an environment that can take advantage of all the fans and families, not a place where children are exposed to threats of violence and discriminatory language,", said the President of the alliance, Jarrett Barrios.

League of brave tongue Coordinator, Dave Wallace, will take over McDowell during the investigation.

McDowell was an analgesic star with the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, plays a key role on the club in the world-winning series of New York in 1986. He was coach of Atlanta pitcher since 2005, earning praise for his work in the development of young hurler Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens.

"It is the most compatible guy that I've ever been around," said Gonzalez. "Strong, solid, strong person."

 

Rick Pitino retired as coach of Puerto Rico due to scheduling conflicts

Coach Rick Pitino Louisville will not coach the national team of Puerto Rico disputes between the two responsibilities, planning the University announced Wednesday.

Since last year, Pitino announced he coached Puerto Rico through FIBA tournament this year, the of the Americas, to the national team qualifying for the London 2012 Games.

Pitino had hoped that his Louisville team to visit Puerto Rico, while he was coach of the national team, NCAA regulations for college teams, a trip abroad. But Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth of United States, is not considered as a foreign site by the NCAA, which denied the appeal of Louisville in the matter.

It was not the only complication for Pitino. Puerto Rico was to play in another tournament in the Brazil which took Pitino away from campus in the fall semester, at a time that he could not afford to be absent.

"I was so looking forward to the Puerto Rico national team coaches, but too many conflicts arose," Pitino said. "This is a great disappointment that we cannot meet the challenge to help them qualify for the Olympic Games."

Pitino had planned to Puerto Rico coach in the tournament of the Americas, scheduled to begin in late August in Mar del Plata, Argentina. A top-two finish in this tournament would ensure an invitation for the London Games in 2012, while a finish among the five would win a place at FIBA World Olympic qualifying 2012.

Puerto Rico, who removed an of basketball Olympic great upheavals by beating United States in Athens, in 2004 do not qualified for the Beijing 2008 games.