Oregon athletic director to chair playoff selection commitee

Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens will become the new chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee starting next season, and three new Power Five athletic directors will join the 13-member panel.

Mullens will be the third chairman, replacing Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt.

Hocutt replaced Jeff Long, who held the position for the first two seasons of the playoff. Mullens will serve a two-year term.

College Football Playoff also announced the addition of six new committee members, replacing those whose terms ended. Joining the committee in 2018 will be Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, Georgia Tech athletic director Todd Stansbury, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, former Clemson and Rice coach Ken Hatfield; former Southern California star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and former Arizona Republic sports columnist Paola Boivin.

New members will serve three-year terms.

Katie Couric to co-host Winter Olympics

NBC is bringing back Katie Couric to co-host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics next month in South Korea, and will live-stream the pomp for the first time.

Couric will work with Mike Tirico, who is replacing Bob Costas as prime-time host of the games, for the Feb. 9 ceremony.

The torch-lighting and parade of nations that begins every Olympics took on greater resonance Wednesday with the announcement that the rival Koreas will form their first unified Olympic team and march together in the ceremony.

Twins hire Morneau as special assistant

The Minnesota Twins have hired the recently retired Justin Morneau as a special assistant.

The team said Wednesday Morneau will become the fourth former Twins player from his generation to get the job, joining Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter and LaTroy Hawkins.

The 36-year-old Morneau will be involved in the amateur draft and be a resource for player acquisitions.

Morneau was a four-time All-Star and won the American League MVP Award in 2006.