Auburn to hire Boise State’s Harsin
Auburn plans to hire Boise State’s Bryan Harsin as its next coach, according to reports Tuesday night.
Harsin and Auburn were in the final stages of completing a deal.
The 44-year-old Harsin is 69-19 with three Mountain West titles in seven seasons at Boise State, his alma mater.
Auburn fired Gus Malzahn earlier this month after eight seasons, a somewhat surprising move after a 6-4 season — and one that cost the school more than $21 million to buy out his contract.
Florida received a year of probation and coach Dan Mullen was sanctioned after the school and the NCAA agreed to resolve an infractions case involving impermissible contact with recruits last year. None of the infractions was deemed Level I, the most serious, but the NCAA said the head coach did not promote an atmosphere of compliance. ... South Carolina’s 2-8 team won’t be going to a bowl game after pausing team activities due to coronavirus issues. The Gamecocks were set to play UAB in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, Florida on Saturday. Instead, the school announced it was ending its season. ... Carson Strong threw for 271 yards and five TDs, Devonte Lee and Toa Taua each rushed for over 100 yards, and Nevada beat Tulane 38-27 in the Potato Bowl in Boise. Nevada (7-2) finished 2020 the same way it started the year — by playing in the same bowl game, which the Wolfpack lost 30-21 to Ohio on Jan. 3. Cameron Carroll rushed for 120 yards and a TD for Tulane (6-6), which was one of 19 schools to play 11 regular-season games.
Baseball: The Mets and RHP Noah Syndergaard agreed to a one-year, $9.7 million contract for next season, when he hopes to return from Tommy John surgery. ... The Phillies named Sam Fuld, 39, their new GM.
NFL: Washington QB Dwayne Haskins publicly apologized after photo evidence came to light of him partying with several people unmasked after playing Sunday. Haskins said on Twitter he spoke with coach Ron Rivera and took full responsibility for putting the team at risk during the pandemic. ... The Lions closed their training facility after two people within the franchise tested positive for COVID-19.
NHL: Oilers D Oscar Klefbom will miss the upcoming season with a lingering shoulder injury. ... The Capitals signed F Conor Sheary to a one-year, $735,000 contract. Sheary played for the Sabres and Penguins last season. ... Golden Knights D Deryk Engelland, 38, retured after 11 seasons.
Soccer: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi overtook Brazil legend Pele to become the player to score the most goals for a single club after taking his tally for the Spanish league power to 644. The record-breaking goal came in the second half of Barca’s 3-0 win at Valladolid. Pele struck 643 goals for Santos during an 18-year stay with the Brazilian club.
WNBA: The Los Angeles Sparks extended coach Derek Fisher ’s contract and appointed him the team’s GM. Fisher has guided the Sparks to a 37-19 record in his two seasons.