Browns officially name Kitchens as new coach
Freddie Kitchens had something on his coaching resume no other candidate could match. He made Baker Mayfield a better quarterback. Kitchens, who helped Mayfield turn his rookie season into a record-breaking one during an impressive eightgame stint as the Browns offensive coordinator, was named Cleveland’s 17th full-time coach yesterday, capping a remarkable personal rise up the coaching ranks. His next goal: Take the Browns where they’ve never been — the Super Bowl. “It’s an honor to be named the head coach of the Cleveland Browns,” Kitchens said in a release. “As I’ve said before, I think Cleveland and I get along pretty well. My family and I have really enjoyed our time with this organization and in this community over the last year.” Kitchens will be formally introduced tomorrow at a news conference in FirstEnergy Stadium.
Alabama CB enters NFL draft
Alabama cornerback Saivion Smith is entering the NFL draft. Smith announced his decision on Twitter, becoming the fifth Crimson Tide underclassmen to turn pro this week. The junior college transfer played in all 15 games during his lone season at Alabama, starting 12. He had 60 tackles, three interceptions and eight tackles for loss . . . . Baylor forward Tristan Clark, the national leader shooting 74 percent from the field, will miss the rest of the season after surgery on his left knee. The Bears made the announcement about the 6-foot-9 sophomore four days after he scored 16 points while playing 34 minutes in a home win over No. 20 Iowa State.
Juventus rolls into quarters
Cristiano Ronaldo was among several regular players who didn’t start though defending champion Juventus nevertheless eased into the quarterfinals of the Italian Cup. Juventus, which achieved the league and cup double in the past four seasons, won at Bologna 2-0 and will next face Atalanta or Cagliari. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Friday that Ronaldo would play at Bologna and insisted the superstar was calm after being asked this week by police to provide a DNA sample in a rape investigation. Kathryn Mayorga alleges Ronaldo raped her in his Las Vegas hotel room in 2009 and paid her to keep quiet . . . . Kylian Mbappe struck his French league-leading 14th goal as Paris Saint-Germain won at Amiens 3-0. The 20-year-old Mbappe has 14 goals in only 13 games, compared to 13 in 27 matches last season for PSG. France’s World Cup star is well on course to eclipse his best tally of 15 in 2017, when he was a rising star of world soccer and won the title with Monaco. The win moved PSG 13 points clear of second-place Lille, having played two games less.
Padres’ Myers heads back to OF
Wil Myers said he’s moving back to the rebuilding Padres’ crowded outfield, indicating that San Diego likely is still in the market for a third baseman. Myers said the decision to switch positions yet again was made during a recent discussion with general manager A.J. Preller and manager Andy Green .... J.D. Gibbs, eldest son of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, was remembered as the visionary behind the stellar career of several NASCAR stars following his death from complications a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. He was 49. Joe Gibbs Racing said Gibbs died on Friday.