Jets fire defensive boss Williams
The Jets fire defensive coordinator Gregg Williams on Monday, a day after he inexplicably called for an all-out blitz against the Raiders with the Jets seconds away from their first victory.
Derek Carr heaved a 46-yard TD pass to Henry Ruggs III — who was in man-toman, or Cover Zero, coverage with rookie corner Lamar Jackson — with 5 seconds left to lift the Raiders to a 31-28 win.
The decision was highly criticized by fans, media and even his own players.
The team announced it had “parted ways” with Williams and assistant head coach/inside LBs coach Frank Bush would serve as the interim defensive coordinator.
The 62-year-old Williams had been the Jets defensive coordinator the last two seasons under head coach Adam Gase.
■ The NFL will allow only virtual interviews of candidates for a variety of football jobs, including coach and GM, until both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. Troy Vincent, who oversees the league’s football operations, believes that will make for more opportunities for a diverse collection of candidates. ... The league suspended Titans DE Teair Tart and Bengals S Shawn Williams each one game without pay for stepping on opponents in two separate games Sunday. ... Panthers All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey will return Sunday against the Broncos after a three-game injury absence.
Baseball: The Angels acquired closer Raisel Iglesias from the Reds for RHP Noé Ramirez and a player to be named or cash. Over the last four seasons, Iglesias, 30, totaled 100 saves in 114 opportunities.
College basketball: Gonzaga and Baylor remained atop the AP Top 25 poll after their hotly anticipated weekend game in Indianapolis was called off about 90 minutes before tipoff because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Bulldogs program. ... The ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup between the Louisville and No. 13 Wisconsin scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Cardinals program, ESPN reported. The Badgers will replace the game, which may be rescheduled, with a home matchup against Rhode Island. ... Jacob Gilyard made a 3-pointer with 19.5 seconds left and No. 19 Richmond beat visiting Wofford 77-72.
College football: The Mississippi-Texas A&M game scheduled for Saturday was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Rebels program. Rescheduling the game will be contingent on any cancellation of games currently scheduled for Dec. 19. Texas A&M, No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, is scheduled to face Tennessee and Mississippi is scheduled to play LSU that Saturday.
Golf: The British Open will be played at Royal Liverpool in 2023 and at Royal Troon in 2024, the R&A announced. The major was scheduled to be held at Royal St George’s this year before it was canceled due to the pandemic. It will take place at the same venue in 2021, then at St. Andrews in 2022.
NBA: ESPN reported that the league will allow flexibility in resting policies for the upcoming season in non-nationally televised games.