In the news
Georgetown fires coach John Thompson III: Georgetown has fired basketball coach John Thompson III after two consecutive losing seasons at the school his father led to a national championship.
School president John DeGioia informed Thompson on Thursday morning he wouldn’t be back and announced the move hours later.
The Hoyas’ 14-18 record this season included six losses in a row to finish. It was the team’s worst winning percentage since the 1950s. Fans at some games chanted “Fire Thompson!”
Thompson, known as “JT3,” was Georgetown’s coach for 13 seasons. The school made eight trips to the NCAA Tournament and a Final Four appearance in 2007 with future NBA players Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert on the roster. Thompson finished 278-151 at Georgetown. His father, John Thompson Jr., led the Hoyas to 20 trips to the NCAAs, three Final Fours and a national title in 1984. Georgetown’s new on-campus practice facility is named after the older Thompson.
Chargers re-sign RB Oliver after season-ending injury: The Los Angeles Chargers have re-signed running back Branden Oliver to a one-year deal.
The team also announced Thursday that safety Adrian Phillips has signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender, keeping him with the Chargers.
Oliver missed the entire 2016 season in San Diego after tearing his Achilles tendon in a preseason game against Minnesota.
He joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and led the team in rushing with 582 yards as a rookie. The 5-foot-8 Oliver has started eight of his 22 career games, rushing for 690 yards and three touchdowns.
Phillips was another undrafted free agent signed in 2014. He made 38 tackles and had one interception last season.
Former NFL RB Richardson denies abuse: Former NFL and Alabama running back Trent Richardson is denying charges that he hit his former girlfriend, who is the mother of his four children.
Richardson told Al.com in an interview published Thursday that he would never strike a female. He says his February arrest in suburban Birmingham happened after former girlfriend Sevina Fatu punched him and pulled out some of his hair.
Fatu was arrested Monday night in Pensacola, Florida. Police say she rammed a Mercedes-Benz SUV into a car containing Richardson and another person.
Records show Fatu was released from jail Wednesday. The former Alabama star is trying to get back to the NFL after spending four seasons at Cleveland and Indianapolis. He has been cut by the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens in recent years.