Sumlin hired as Arizona coach

Arizona has tabbed former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin as its football coach.

Sumlin is expected to sign a five-year contract, pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents. An introductory news conference is scheduled for Tuesday.

He replaces Rich Rodriguez, who was fired Jan. 2 amid sexual harassment allegations.

“This is a tremendous day for Arizona Football and I am thrilled to welcome Kevin to our family,” Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said in a statement Sunday night. “He is a proven winner who will have an immediate impact on not only our football program, but also on our department and University. An accomplished coach and an excellent recruiter, Kevin shares our vision and values and fits with who we are and who we want to be.”

Sumlin was fired after six seasons at Texas A&M in November and had reportedly been in the mix for numerous jobs, including Arizona rival Arizona State. The Sun Devils hired former NFL coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards.

The Aggies went 5126 and went to a bowl game every season under Sumlin, but were 2523 in SEC play and never matched his first season in College Station, when they were 11-2 with Heisman Trophy quarterback Johnny Manziel.

NFL

CONKLIN TEARS ACL » Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey says right tackle Jack Conklin tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and likely will start training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

Mularkey said Sunday that Conklin will have surgery to repair the ACL within the next two weeks.

Conklin, the eighth pick overall out of Michigan State in 2016, was hurt with 3:14 left in the first quarter of the 35-14 loss to New England. Patriots lineman Malcolm Brown appeared to roll up on Conklin’s leg on a run play. DABOLL HEADS TO BUFFALO » The Bills hired Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator. Coach Sean McDermott announced Daboll’s hiring two days after firing Rick Dennison. The 42-year-old Daboll was the offensive coordinator for national champion Alabama. It was the sixth time he was part of the coaching staff for a national championship team.

Soccer

REFEREE KICKS PLAYER » French official Tony Chapron kicked out in retribution at Nantes defender Diego Carlos during a league game on Sunday, and then promptly showed Carlos a red card.

The bizarre incident happened moments from the end of Paris SaintGermain’s 1-0 win at Nantes.

Carlos was running behind Chapron near the halfway line, and trying to catch up with play, when he inadvertently clipped the referee’s heels. Bad move.

Chapron rolled forward onto the turf and then, a split-second after tumbling, swiped his right leg at Carlos — like a player would do when making a cynical foul on an opponent.

He caught Carlos below the knee, around the shin area, prompting the 24-year-old Brazilian to shrug his shoulders in bewilderment.

Not finished yet, Chapron got up and showed Carlos a second yellow card.

Television cameras capturing the incident showed Nantes president Waldemar Kita, who burst out laughing at the dismissal.

“It’s a joke,” Kita said after the game. “What do you want me to say? If I say too much I will be summoned.”

“Honestly, the whole of Europe is laughing here,” Kita added.