FIRED GOPHERS COACH DEFENDS LEADERSHIP

MINNEAPOLIS» Former University of Minnesota football coach Tracy Claeys is defending himself after an outside review blamed “weak leadership” by the coaching staff for a threat by players to boycott the Holiday Bowl.

Claeys wrote a commentary that appeared online Wednesday. The review released last week found the university followed law and policy properly when it suspended 10 players last fall following an accusation of sexual assault.

Claeys backed the boycott, but players ultimately decided to play and beat Washington State 17-12. Claeys was fired a week later.

Claeys says in hindsight he would have refrained from using social media to support the team’s decision. But he says as a coach, he respected his team’s decision, “responsibly addressed the situation and quickly defused the boycott.”

Former USC kicker fights expulsion.

Former Southern California kicker Matt Boermeester has filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court in an effort to overturn his expulsion following a school investigation of allegations that he abused his girlfriend.

Facebook to stream 15 games.

Facebook has struck a deal for exclusive rights to livestream 15 college football games this season, beginning next week.

The agreement with Stadium, a digital sports network, gives Facebook the rights to six Mountain West games and nine Conference USA games. The games will not be televised.