TWO IRISH PLAYERS going pro
Kyren Williams and Kyle Hamilton, two junior star players for No. 5 Notre Dame, will not play in the Fiesta Bowl against No. 9 Oklahoma State so they can prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Williams rushed for 1,002 yards and 14 touchdowns and had 42 receptions for 359 yards and three scores. He also returned punts and kickoffs, averaging 128.4 all-purpose yards per game.
In seven games, Hamilton had 35 tackles, four passes broken up and three interceptions. He injured his right knee in the 31-16 victory over USC on Oct. 23 and missed the final five games. Hamilton was expected to be a first-round pick; Williams likely will go later.
† Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito
is transferring to Illinois for his final season of eligibility. DeVito passed for 3,866 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in four seasons with the Orange.
† Iowa running back Tyler Goodson will declare for the draft and won’t play in the Citrus Bowl against Kentucky on Jan. 1.
† Penn State starting quarterback Sean Clifford will return for the 2022 season.
† Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh was named AP’s coach of the year after leading the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title in 17 years and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
† Duke is turning to Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko to turn around its program after a two-year slide. Elko, 44, also was a coordinator at Notre Dame.
† Former Browns and Raiders coach Hue Jackson is taking over as the coach of Grambling’s storied football program.
† Virginia hired Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott as its coach.
† BYU coach Kalani Sitake signed a contract extension through the 2027 season.
NBA
Pacers’ Carlisle out with covid
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle will miss multiple games after returning a positive PCR test for COVID-19. Assistant coach Lloyd Pierce will act as head coach in Carlisle’s absence. Without Carlisle on Friday, the Pacers won their third consecutive game for the first time this season with a 106-93 decision over the Mavericks.
† Warriors coach Steve Kerr was selected as the next coach for Team USA, sources told ESPN. Kerr will replace Gregg Popovich in the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.
† The Trail Blazers reiterated that AllNBA guard Damian Lillard is off limits in trade talks with the 76ers for All-Star guard Ben Simmons, sources told ESPN.
NHL olympic participation up to players
Speaking at the board of governors meeting in Florida, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that participating in the 2022 Winter Olympics is “ultimately going to have to be a players’ decision.”
There is still no clarity on what happens if an NHL player tests positive for COVID-19 in China, including the length of a potential quarantine and if the individual will be allowed to leave the country during that period. Any significant disruption to the NHL schedule also could alter the league’s thinking on the Olympics.
Bettman also said the Coyotes are not a threat to relocate after lapses in payments to the city of Glendale and the state of Arizona.
MLB
Son of ex-white sox manager dies
Jim Fregosi Jr., a special assistant in the Royals’ front office and a son of former White Sox manager Jim Fregosi, died Thursday at 57. Fregosi spent 17 seasons in scouting in two stints with the Phillies around time with the Rockies in 1999 and 2000. He joined the Royals after the 2011 season. ✶