Southern Miss passes on Briles

Southern Mississippi administrators and football coach Jay Hopson disagree on whether the school should hire former Baylor head coach Art Briles for a position on the Golden Eagles’ football staff. Hopson believes they should. President Rodney D. Bennett and interim athletics director Jeff Mitchell say no — and they have the final say. The school released a statement from Bennett and Mitchell confirming that the school had met with Briles but that “following that meeting, we informed him that he is not a candidate.” Hopson released his own statement just minutes after the school’s release, saying that he respects the president’s decision, but disagrees with it and that Briles “deserves a second chance.” Southern Miss has been searching for a new offensive coordinator. The 63-year-old Briles, who led the Bears to consecutive Big 12 titles in 2013 and 2014, was fired after an external investigation revealed in May 2016 that Baylor had for years mishandled numerous sexual assault allegations by students, including some against football players.

Skiing

SHIFFRIN ‘OFF THE GRID’ >> Following a stressful Olympic year, Mikaela Shiffrin has been scaling back her schedule at every opportunity this season. Her latest move involved leaving the site of the world championships in Sweden soon after her super-G victory Tuesday to recharge and prepare for next week’s giant slalom and slalom. Austrian media reported that Shiffrin left Are by helicopter for training in Trysil, Norway — forcing her ski technician to haul her equipment in a drive of six-plus hours across the border to catch up with her. “She’s going off the grid for a bit, wants to keep it private,” the U.S. Ski Team told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Since she will not be competing in Friday’s Alpine combined race, Shiffrin has more than a week before her next events of giant slalom and slalom on Feb. 14 and 16. She is expected back in Are on Feb. 11.

Soccer

DRAW >> Real Madrid earned a 1-1 draw at Barcelona to take a slim awaygoal advantage in their Copa del Rey semifinal. Lucas Vazquez gave Madrid the lead in the sixth minute during an opening stage dominated by the visitors. But Barcelona eventually established control and forward Malcom equalized after Luis Suarez had hit the post in the 58th. Lionel Messi stayed on the bench for Barcelona until coming on in the 64th. The Argentine had been doubtful for the match after picking up a right-leg injury Feb. 2. This was the first of three “clasicos” in less than a month. The return leg of the semifinal in Madrid is on Feb. 27, just before their Spanish league game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on March 3.