UCLA turns to Kelly; Nebraska cans Riley
UCLA says it has hired Chip Kelly as its coach, bringing the former Oregon coach back to the Pac-12 after he tried his hand in the NFL.
Kelly went 46-7 in four seasons (2009-12) leading the Ducks, including reaching the BCS championship game after the 2010 season. He won the Pac-12 three times and helped revolutionize offense in college football with his spread, no-huddle offense.
UCLA fired Jim Mora last Sunday with a game left. The Bruins (6-6) completed their regular season on Friday night, reaching bowl eligibility. In between, UCLA officials moved quickly to land Kelly, who was also being courted by Florida.
He went 28-35 with Philadelphia and San Francisco from 2013-16, including 2-14 in 2016 with the 49ers. …
Nebraska fired coach Mike Riley after three seasons in which he was unable to return the Cornhuskers to national prominence let alone make them a factor in the Big Ten.
Riley was under contract through February 2021 and is due a buyout of more than $6.6 million.
The Cornhuskers finished the season 4-8 — the program’s fewest wins since going 3-6-1 in 1961.
Names: Ohtani hands out homework
Major league teams were given holiday weekend homework by Shohei Ohtani, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.
The agent for the star pitcher and outfielder asked for written explanations in English and Japanese on how Ohtani would fit into each organization intending to bid on him and what makes the team attractive. …
Barcelona says Lionel Messi has signed a new contract that will keep him at the Spanish club through 2021.
The 30-year-old Messi’s former contract was set to finish in the summer of 2018.
The club says that the new contract includes a buyout clause of 700 million euros (835 million dollars). …
Cristiano Ronaldo rescued Real Madrid from another stumble at home with the Portugal forward immediately scoring after his penalty kick was saved to secure a 3-2 win over Malaga in Barcelona. …
Buffalo Bills receiver Kelvin Benjamin will not play against the Kansas City Chiefs today because of an injured right knee. …
Richard Gasquet and Pierre-Hugues Herbert beat Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 to give France a 2-1 lead over Belgium in the Davis Cup final in Lille, France.
Misc.: Prep’s Shelgren tops in NYC
Tristan Shelgren of St. John’s Prep won the Foot Locker Northeast Regional cross-country race in New York, qualifying for nationals by finishing in 15:32.8.
Brookline’s Lucas Aramburu placed third in 15:37.8 and also qualified for the national race, which will be held Dec. 9 in San Diego. …
American skater Nathan Chen locked up a spot in his second straight Grand Prix Final, winning the men’s competition at Skate America despite a disappointing free skate in Lake Placid, N.Y. …
Seven months after a double hip replacement, Manuel Charr defeated Alexander Ustinov of Russia by unanimous decision for the vacant WBA heavyweight title in Oberhausen, Germany.