Yankees promote Reggie Willits to first base coach

Newly hired New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is filling out his coaching staff, and Tuesday he turned to Oklahoman Reggie Willits.

Boone announced at the annual Winter Meetings that Willits will serve as the Yankees’ first base coach this season.

Willits, who is from Fort Cobb and played at Oklahoma, has been the Yankees’ minor league outfield and base-running coordinator since 2015.

Before that, he was coaching Binger-Oney High School’s baseball team, where he restored the rich tradition of a program known for producing Hall of Fame catcher Johnny

Bench. He coached the team to four state tournaments and two state championships in five seasons.

Willits, 36, played parts of five seasons in the big leagues with the Los Angeles Angels. He stole a total of 40 bases and was caught just 17 times.

East Central hires Wisconsin graduate assistant as head football coach

East Central University announced the hiring of Wisconsin graduate assistant Al Johnson as its new head football coach on Tuesday.

The former offensive lineman was a three-year starter at Wisconsin from 2000-02. He was selected in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and started in 45 games throughout his seven-year NFL career with the Cowboys, Cardinals, Dolphins and Patriots.

Johnson will take over at ECU after the Badgers play Miami in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.

OU men’s golf releases spring schedule

OU men’s golf released its 2018 spring schedule on Tuesday.

The Sooners will begin the spring season at the Puerto Rico Classic, Feb. 18-20, at the Rio Mar Resort.

For the full schedule, visit soonersports.com