Earthquakes hire Leitch as new general manager
Chris Leitch has held plenty of jobs with the Earthquakes. After 13 years with the club, he’s getting the top soccer job available in San Jose.
Leitch was named the Quakes’ general manager Monday, one day after they concluded the 2021 season with a draw against FC Dallas, finalizing a 10th-place finish outside the playoffs in the 13-team Western Conference. The most significant news out of the game was the retirement of MLS all-time scoring leader Chris Wondolowski, perhaps signaling a new era for the Quakes.
“While the 2021 season didn’t end how we wanted, we’re entering an important offseason to rebuild and put a competitive team on the field for our fans to support,” Leitch said in a statement through the team.
The Quakes fired former GM Jesse Fioranelli in late June. Leitch has been effectively been directing San Jose’s soccer operations since then. He’s held the position of technical director since 2012.
Leitch, who has served as interim GM (2016) and interim coach (2017) for the Quakes, first arrived in San Jose in 2009 as a defender after stints with Columbus and New York/New Jersey.
College football
WASHINGTON SUSPENDS COACH LAKE FOR ONE GAME >> The University of Washington suspended head football coach Jimmy Lake for one game without pay following a sideline incident during the Huskies’ game against Oregon.
Lake is suspended from all team activities for the week and will return to his coaching responsibilities on Sunday. Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory will serve as the interim coach for Saturday’s game against Arizona State.
TEXAS TECH HIRES BAYLOR ASSISTANT AS NEW COACH >> Texas Tech named Baylor assistant and longtime Texas high school coach Joey McGuire as its next head coach.
NEBRASKA RETAINS FROST WITH RESTRUCTURED DEAL >> Scott Frost will remain coach at Nebraska but with a restructured deal, athletic director Trev Alberts announced.
The Cornhuskers are 15-27 under Frost, including 3-7 this season.
Baseball
DODGERS, ANDREW HEANEY AGREE TO DEAL >> The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to an $8.5 million, one-year contract with free agent left-hander Andrew Heaney, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The 30-year-old Heaney split 2021 between the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees, going 8-9 with a 5.83 ERA.
EX-MET FELICIANO DIES AT 45 >> Former New York Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano, who led the majors in appearances from 2008-10, has died. He was 45.
EX-PADRES SKIPPER TINGLER JOINS TWINS >> Former San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler was as bench coach of the Minnesota Twins, who also picked David Popkins as their new hitting coach.
ASTROS’ BERGMAN HAS WRIST SURGERY >> Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman had surgery on his right wrist, less than a week after the World Series.
The team said the two-time AllStar is expected to resume baseball activities in January and should be OK to begin spring training.