Coach Leach remains hospitalized in critical condition
Mississippi State coach Mike Leach was hospitalized in critical condition Monday, the day after what the university called “a personal health issue” at his home in Starkville forced him to be airlifted to a medical facility in Jackson.
Leach was admitted Sunday to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, about 125 miles from the Mississippi State campus.
“Mike’s family is with him and appreciates the overwhelming expressions of love and support for the coach, but also requests that their family’s privacy be respected at this time,” the school said.
Leach is in his third season at Mississippi State, with a 19-17 record. He had a bout with pneumonia late in the season that was causing a persistent cough, but it was unclear whether it is related to his hospitalization.
USC puts three on AP team
Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is one of three USC players to be selected to the Associated Press All-American team. Trojans offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees and defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu joined their quarterback to give USC more players on the first team than any other school. Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn were selected for the second year in a row . ... Ariel Escobar, Tennessee State’s director of football operations and oncampus recruiting, was charged with aggravated assault and vandalism in an encounter involving a football player . ... Three-time Sun Belt Conference player of the year Grayson McCall will leave Coastal Carolina and enter the NCAA transfer portal . ... The NCAA placed Missouri Southern State on three years’ probation after finding its former coach, Jeff Sims, acted as if compliance regulations did not apply to the program.
San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel is expected to return before the end of the season after suffering a sprained left ankle and ligament in his left knee. Quarterback Brock Purdy is day to day with injuries to his oblique and ribs . ... Atlanta is turning to quarterback Desmond Ridder instead of benched Marcus Mariota . ... Dallas signed wide receiver T.Y. Hilton to a one-year deal. Hilton is a four-time Pro Bowler who had gone unsigned after his 10-year run with Indianapolis ended. The 33-year-old played 10 games last season after starting the year on injured reserve.
The Rams claimed defensive lineman Larrell Murchison off waivers from Tennessee. Murchison, a fifth-round pick in 2020, played five games this year.
— Gary Klein
Free-agent left-hander Sean Manaea agreed to a $25-million, two-year deal with San Francisco . ... Minnesota added catcher Christian Vazquez, agreeing to a $30-million, three-year deal. ... Toronto agreed to a $63million, three-year contract with Chris Bassitt . ... Atlanta acquired catcher Sean Murphy from Oakland in a three-team trade that sent All-Star catcher William Contreras to Milwaukee. Oakland got catcher Manny Pina and pitching prospects Kyle Muller, Freddy Tarnok and Royber Salinas from Atlanta and outfield prospect Esteury Ruiz from Milwaukee.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is planning to have season-ending surgery to repair his left shin, AP reported. The No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft is expected to be ready for the start of training camp next season . ... Damian Lillard (38 points) tied his franchise record by making 11 threepointers in Portland’s 133-112 win over Minnesota . ... Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career high with 42 points in Oklahoma City’s 121-114 loss at Dallas.
More than 50 years after banning him for his low-key racial injustice protest at the Munich Olympics, the International Olympic Committee will allow U.S. gold-medal sprinter Vince Matthews back at the Games.