Former SJSU coach Darryl Rogers passes away at 83
Darryl Rogers, who led San Jose State’s football program back to respectability in the 1970s and later coached the Detroit Lions, has died. He was 83.
The one-time Cal State Hayward head coach known for his wide-open offensive attacks also coached at Fresno State, Arizona State and Michigan State, where his top weapon was receiver-turned-baseball star Kirk Gibson.
“His passing is disappointing, but I can tell you I feel so good about Darryl,” Gibson told Lansing, Mich. radio station WTQX-FM on Wednesday. “His spirit is so powerful that he’ll continue to work magic with us all.”
Rogers certainly worked magic at San Jose State from 1973-75, when he led the Spartans to a 22-9-3 record and their first conference title in 26 years. Under Rogers, San Jose State was ranked No. 20 in the AP poll in ‘75, its first appearance in the poll in 36 years.
He got his first head coaching job in Hayward in 1965, leading the Pioneers to a 3-7 season before heading to Fresno State for seven years. In all, Rogers went 129-84-7 in 20 seasons as a college coach. He was the national coach of the year in 1979 at Michigan State.
Success didn’t follow him to the NFL, where Rogers coached the Lions from 1985-88 and finished with just an 18-40 record in Detroit. His time in the NFL may be best remembered for what he once told reporters during a Lions losing skid, “What’s a coach have to do to get fired around here?” ‘PACMAN’ ATTACKED >> Police say former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones was attacked during a run-in with a facility-service employee at the airport in Atlanta.
An Atlanta Police spokesman says Jones confronted ABM Industries employee Frank Ragin after Ragin made a “gesture” toward the football player Tuesday night at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Police say words were exchanged before Ragin struck Jones with a closed fist, causing a cut to Jones’ face.
Cellphone footage shows that Jones and Ragin traded several punches. Jones ultimately knocked Ragin down to the ground with a punch to the face then hit the employee one more time before a man broke up the fight. Ragin was arrested on two counts of battery.
Olympics
RANDALL DIAGNOSED WITH
BREAST CANCER >> Olympic gold medalist Kikkan Randall has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
The 35-year-old crosscountry skier known for pink-highlighted hair said on social media that “the color pink has taken on a new chapter” in her life. She said the prognosis is good, but she expects life to change significantly in the months ahead. “I am going to bring as much tenacity, strength, and energy toward this challenge as I have throughout my entire career,” she wrote.
NBA
FORMER WARRIOR CASSPI TO GRIZZLIES >> The Memphis Grizzlies have signed free agent forward Omri Casspi. Casspi, 30, played 53 games with the Warriors last season and averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. The Grizzlies also signed Kyle Anderson to a four-year deal.
Colleges
CARDINALS SUE NCAA >> An attorney representing a group of former Louisville men’s basketball players says they have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over the organization’s vacation of the Cardinals’ 2013 national championship and 2012 Final Four.
John Morgan, one of several attorneys representing former Cardinals captain Luke Hancock and four teammates from that title team, described the NCAA as “a morally bankrupt organization” that exploits student-athletes. The NCAA stripped Louisville of the title as part of sanctions for violations discovered during an escort scandal investigation.
MLS
NEW YORK CITY FC ROLLS >> Ronald Matarrita had a goal and an assist to lead New York City FC to a 3-0 victory over Montreal.