News+Notes: Urban Meyer agrees to return to coaching with NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars,
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. » Urban Meyer agreed to become head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, leaving the broadcast booth and returning to the sidelines after a two-year absence that followed another health scare.
The 56-year-old Meyer was team owner Shad Khan’s top target. Hiring the longtime college coach with three national championships would signify a new direction for a franchise that has lost 105 of 144 games since Khan took over in 2012.
Meyer went 187-32 in stops at Bowling Green (2001-02), Utah (2003-04), Florida (2005-10) and Ohio State (2012-18).
STEFANSKI RETURNS TO BROWNS » Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is back with his playoff team after having COVID-19.
Stefanski returned to the team’s facility 10 days after he tested positive with the virus and after he missed Cleveland’s playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
He had been isolated in his home for the required 10 days since contracting COVID-19. He lost his sense of taste but experienced only mild symptoms.
Baseball
WOOD JOINS GIANTS » Lefthander Alex Wood agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants.
An All-Star in 2017, Wood
went 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in two starts and seven relief appearances last year with NL West rival Los Angeles, striking out 15 in 12 2/3 innings.
Wood is 53-44 with a 3.45 ERA in 138 starts and 50 relief appearances over eight seasons.
A’S ACQUIRE TURLEY » Lefthander Nik Turley was traded to the A’s from the Pirates for cash, giving Oakland a reliable reliever for late in games after losing closer Liam Hendriks in free agency.
Turley went 0-3 with a 4.98 ERA and one save over 25 relief outings spanning 21 2/3 innings for the Pirates.
College basketball
SAN JOSE STATE LATEST WOMEN’S TEAMS TO END SEASON » San Jose State announced its women’s program would not complete the season due to COVID-19 issues. The Spartans had previously paused basketball activities twice during the pandemic.
Pro basketball
RAIDERS OWNER BUYING WNBA’S ACES » Mark Davis is expanding his sports empire in Las Vegas, buying the Aces from MGM Resorts International.
The Raiders owner purchased
the WNBA team pending approval from the league’s board of governors.
Golf
PEBBLE BEACH FOR PROS ONLY THIS YEAR » The only stars at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this year will be the players. The spike in COVID-19 cases in California led organizers to cancel the pro-am portion of a tournament with a long history of entertainers and celebrities mixing with the pros on one of the most picturesque courses in the country.
The tournament scheduled for Feb. 11-14.
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