THE HOT CORNER

1 PRO SOCCER: Amanda Cromwell was hired Tuesday as coach of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Orlando Pride. Cromwell, a former U.S. national team player, spent nine seasons as the coach at UCLA and led the Bruins to the national championship in 2013, her first year. She led UCLA to three College Cup appearances

and four Pac-12 titles.

PRO HOCKEY:

Chicago

2

Blackhawks forward Jujhar Khaira spent the night in a hospital after he was leveled by Jacob Trouba during a 6-2 loss to the Rangers. Khaira’s head was down as he gathered the puck in 6:10 into the second period Tuesday. He looked up right as Trouba appeared to drive his right shoulder into Khaira’s chin.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Mark

3

Whipple was named Nebraska’s offensive coordinator on Wednesday, a day after he resigned from the same position at Pitt. Cornhuskers coach Scott Frost also announced the hiring of Chicago Bears assistant Donovan Raiola as offensive line coach. Frost is making over his offensive staff following a 3-9 season.

WINTER SPORTS: Natalie

4

Geisenberger of Germany, the two-time defending women’s Olympic luge champion, is considering skipping the Beijing Games because of her dissatisfaction with the way athletes were treated by Chinese officials when training there this season. She is considered the greatest women’s luge athlete ever, has four Olympic golds and her 50 World Cup singles wins are the most in the sport’s history.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Ohio State 5 has hired defensive coordinator Jim Knowles away from Oklahoma State. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day announced that Knowles will take over as defensive coordinator on Jan. 2. Day said Ohio State (12-2) will continue preparations for the Rose Bowl with the current staff intact.