Off the wire
FOOTBALL WKU hires coach
Western Kentucky announced on Tuesday it had hired former Tennessee offensive coordinator Tyson Helton as its new coach. Helton returns to the program where he led one of the nation’s top offenses in 2014 and 2015. Helton, 41, who met with Hilltoppers players earlier on Tuesday, said later during a news conference that he was “ecstatic” to be leading the program. WKU enjoyed a highly successful stretch with Helton running the offense under then-coach Jeff Brohm, now at Purdue. The Hilltoppers went 12-2 and won the Conference USA championship in 2015 with record-breaking quarterback Brandon Doughty and finished No. 24 in the top 25. Helton will receive a four-year contract with an annual base salary of $800,000 plus incentives.
Steelers TEs injured
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their depth at tight end tested with Vance McDonald and
Xavier Grimble both dealing with injuries. Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that McDonald has a hip issue while Grimble is in the concussion protocol. McDonald could be limited early in the week as the Steelers (7-3-1) prepare for a visit from the Los Angeles Chargers (83). Grimble, the third-string tight end after McDonald and Jesse
James, had a critical fumble at the goal line in a loss at Denver on Sunday. Tomlin added linebacker Bud
Dupree has a pectoral injury that could make his status uncertain. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert could practice this week after missing the past five games with an ankle injury. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt could also return after missing two weeks because of an elbow injury.
Winston nearing settlement
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston is in the process of settling a lawsuit filed
by a female Uber driver in Arizona who accused him of sexual assault. Documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Phoenix state that a settlement agreement should be finalized in 10 days. Details weren’t disclosed. The woman sued Winston in September and had been seeking $75,000 in damages. She alleged Winston grabbed her crotch while they were waiting in the drive-thru of a Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale in March 2016. Winston, the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner while at Florida State, was in Arizona for a charity event at the time. After an eight-month investigation into the incident, the NFL in June suspended Winston for three games for violating the league’s
personal-conduct policy.
BASEBALL Chisenhall to Pirates
Outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall has agreed to a $2.75 million, oneyear contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, leaving the Cleveland Indians after eight seasons. The Pirates are in need of help in the outfield while right fielder Gregory Polanco recovers from surgery on his left shoulder. Polanco is expected to be out until May after dislocating the shoulder during an awkward slide into second base in September. The Pirates initially selected Chisenhall in the 11th round of the 2006 firstyear player draft. He opted not to sign and was later selected by Cleveland in the 2008 draft. The 30-year-old can earn an additional $3 million in performance bonus- es for plate appearances under the deal announced Tuesday: $250,000 each for 250, 300, 350 and 400, and $500,000 apiece for 450, 500, 550 and 600. Chisenhall hit .321 in 29 games and 84 at-bats during an injury-shortened 2018 season, when he earned $5,587,500. He didn’t play between April 7 and June 5 because of a strained right calf, and he played his last game on July 1, a day before he injured his left calf before a game against Kansas City.
HORSE RACING Landers horse wins
Leofric capped a breakout 2018 male handicap division campaign with a neck victory over Bravazo in the $500,000 Clark Handicap on Friday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., the first in a Grade I event for owner Steve Landers, a prominent Arkansas automobile dealer and member of the Arkansas Racing Commission. Trained by Brad Cox, Leofric launched his 5-year-old season with a Jan. 14 allowance victory at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs before suffering his only loss to date in Hot Springs, a runner-up finish in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (GIII) Feb. 19. Leofric, who was ridden Friday by Florent Geroux, covered 11/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48.59 and paid $8.60 as the third choice in the eighthorse field. Leofric gave Landers his first graded stakes victory in the $200,000 West Virginia’s Governor’s (GIII) Aug. 4 at Mountaineer. After finishing a strong third in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (GI) Sept. 1 at Saratoga, Leofric won the $200,000 Fayette Stakes (GII) Oct. 27 at Keeneland. A gray son of Candy Ride, Leofric has a 5-1-1 record from seven starts this year and earnings of $792,140. Leofric has won 8 of 14 starts overall and earned $951,040.