Colts head coach Pagano makes emotional return to team

INDIANAPOLIS — Chuck Pagano stepped to the podium Monday, hugged his team owner, thanked his family for their support and wiped a tear from his eye.

He might, finally, turn out the lights in his office, too.

Nearly three months to the day after being diagnosed with leukemia, the Colts' first-year coach returned to a team eager to reunite with a boss healthy enough to go back to work.

"I told you my best day of my life was July 1, 1989," Pagano said, referring to his wedding date. "Today was No. 2. Getting to pull up, drive in, get out of my car, the key fob still worked. I was beginning to question whether it would or not. When I asked for Bruce (Arians) to take over, I asked for him to kick some you-know-what and to do great. Damn Bruce, you had to go and win nine games? Tough act to follow. Tough act to follow. Best in the history of the NFL. That's what I have to come back to."

The comment turned tears into the laughter everyone expected on such a festive occasion.

For Pagano and the Colts, Monday morning was as precious as anyone could have imagined when Pagano took an indefinite leave to face the biggest opponent of his life, cancer.

In his absence, all the Colts did was win nine of 12 games, make a historic turnaround and clinch a playoff spot all before Sunday's regular-season finale against Houston, which they pegged as the day they hoped to have Pagano back. If all goes well at practice this week, Pagano will be on the sideline for the first time since a Week 3 loss to Jacksonville.

Pagano endured three rounds of chemotherapy to put his cancer in remission.

That Pagano's return came less than 24 hours after Indy (10-5) locked up the No. 5 seed in the AFC and the day before Christmas seemed fitting, too.

"I know Chuck is ready for this challenge. In speaking to his doctor multiple times, I know that the time is right for him to grab the reins, get the head coaching cap on and begin the journey," owner Jim Irsay said. "It's been a miraculous story. It really is a book. It's a fairytale. It's a Hollywood script. It's all those things but it's real."

The reality is that he's returning to a vastly different team than the one he turned over to Arians, his long-time friend and first assistant coaching hire.

Back then, the Colts were 1-2 and most of the so-called experts had written them off as one of the league's worst teams. Now, they're ready to show the football world that they can be just as successful under Pagano as they were under Arians, who tied the NFL record for wins after a midseason coaching change.

Pagano also has changed.

The neatly-trimmed salt-and-pepper hair and trademark goatee that were missing in November have slowly returned, and the thinner man who appeared to be catching his breath during a postgame speech in early November, looked and sounded as good as ever Monday.

He repeatedly thanked fans for their prayers and letters, the organization and his family for their unwavering help and promised to provide comfort and support to other people who are facing similar fights. During one poignant moment that nearly brought out tears again, Pagano even recounted a letter sent to him by a 9-year-old child who suggested he suck on ice chips and strawberry Popsicles in the hospital and advised him to be nice to the nurses regardless of how he felt — and he never even paused.

"I feel great, my weight is back, my energy is back and again, it's just a blessing to be back here," Pagano said.

In the minds of Colts players and coaches, Pagano never really left.

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Takagi named V-Varen Nagasaki coach

NAGASAKI — Former Japan striker Takuya Takagi will coach promoted J.League second division side V-Varen Nagasaki next season, the team announced on Thursday.

Nagasaki won the Japan Football League, the de facto third division, this year to book a spot in J2 for 2013. The 45-year-old Takagi, a Nagasaki native, managed Roasso Kumamoto of J2 the last two seasons and has been at the helm of Yokohama FC as well as Tokyo Verdy.

"It's a great pleasure to be returning to my hometown, Nagasaki, as manager," Takagi said in a statement. "At the same time, I feel a great sense of responsibility. I hope we can become a source of hope and dreams for the people of Nagasaki Prefecture."

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Barcelona coach Vilanova to have surgery after cancer relapse

BARCELONA, Spain — For the second time in two years, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova is stepping aside from soccer to take care of his health.

Barcelona said Vilanova was to have surgery on Thursday and undergo several weeks of chemotherapy after doctors discovered a recurrence of a throat ailment, the club said Wednesday.

The 44-year-old coach underwent an operation to remove a tumor from the saliva gland in November 2011 when he was Pep Guardiola's assistant.

Vilanova will likely spend four days in a hospital before undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for about six weeks, the club said.

The statement said Vilanova could be able to remain in charge of the team while undergoing treatment.

"During this time, depending on his evolution, Vilanova may be able to combine treatment with his work regime," the club said.

Assistant coach Jordi Roura is expected to take over the team in the meantime. Barcelona plays Valladolid in the Spanish League on Saturday.

Vilanova took over as Barcelona's team coach from Guardiola last summer after passing medical checks.

Wednesday's announcement came one day after the club solidified its future with all-time top scorer Lionel Messi, playmaker Xavi Hernandez and team captain Carles Puyol all signing multiyear contract extensions.

Under Vilanova's guidance, Barcelona has made its best-ever start to a season, winning a Spanish record of 15 of its first 16 league games. The club leads the standings with 46 points, nine ahead of Atletico Madrid and 13 in front of archrival Real Madrid.

Vilanova's son, Adria, used his Twitter account to give thanks for the support being offered his father.

"Thank you all for your support, you are truly great, everything is going to work out," he tweeted.

Earlier Wednesday, Barcelona canceled meetings with the club president and journalists after reports of Vilanova's illness emerged. Several hours later, the club issued the statement confirming the medical situation.

"Very sorry to hear the news," Xavi said on Twitter.

LEEDS, England — Chelsea scored five goals in a masterful second-half display to beat old rival Leeds 5-1 on Wednesday, setting up a meeting with Swansea in the semifinals of the League Cup.

A shock was on when Leeds went in at halftime 1-0 up thanks to Luciano Becchio's 37th-minute goal at a rain-soaked Elland Road.

However, Chelsea was clinical after the break, equalizing through Spain playmaker Juan Mata in the 47th before adding four more goals in a ruthless 19-minute spell. Branislav Ivanovic, Victor Moses, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres were the scorers for the European champions, who have won the League Cup four times — most recently in 2007.

"We had a word with ourselves at halftime and the early goal gave us an impetus to go on and win it," Chelsea captain Frank Lampard said.

By moving into the last four, where it is also joined by Aston Villa and fourth-tier Bradford, Chelsea went some way to making up for the frustration of losing the Club World Cup final to Corinthians 1-0 on Sunday.

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Huskies head coach Calhoun expected to retire

NEW YORK — Jim Calhoun has spent more than half his life as a head basketball coach, never venturing far from the New England area where he was born.

Signing off: UConn men's basketball coach is expected to announce his retirement on Thursday. AP

Between coaching stints at Northeastern and Connecticut, he racked up 873 wins — 625 of them coming at his beloved UConn, where he ran the men's program for 26 years and won three national titles.

Recently, though, the 70-year-old Hall of Famer has struggled with health problems, including a fractured hip last month that put him on crutches. On Thursday, he planned to announce his retirement, a person familiar with the decision told AP.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Calhoun's move had not yet been made public. WVIT-TV in Hartford, Connecticut, first reported the expected announcement.

Assistant coach Kevin Ollie was expected to replace Calhoun, the person who spoke to the AP said.

Ollie will take over a Huskies team that is ineligible for the 2013 NCAA tournament because of its failure to meet national academic standards, one of several off-court problems that hit UConn late in Calhoun's tenure.

Before fracturing his hip, Calhoun fought off cancer three times and missed eight games last season while suffering from a painful spinal condition. He returned just four days after having back surgery to coach the Huskies in their regular-season finale and the postseason.

UConn finished the year 20-14, losing to Iowa State in the first-round of the NCAA tournament.

In addition to his medical leave, Calhoun served a three-game suspension at the start of the Big East season last winter for failing to maintain an atmosphere of compliance in his program with NCAA rules, an issue that dated back to recruiting violations in 2008.

A native of Braintree, Massachusetts, Calhoun played college basketball at American International in Springfield, where he was a team captain and leading scorer his junior and senior years.

After graduating in 1968, he began his head coaching career at Old Lyme High School in Connecticut, before moving back to Massachusetts where he coached at Westport High School and then Dedham High School.

He led Dedham to a 21-1 record in 1972, and was hired as head coach at Northeastern.

Calhoun spent the next 14 years at the school, leading the team from Division II program, to a mid-major power with five appearances in the NCAA tournament.

Calhoun was then hired by UConn in May 1986 and won an NIT title in his second season. His teams won 10 Big East regular-season championships and seven Big East Tournament titles over his tenure.

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina — Notre Dame got everything it wanted and the Atlantic Coast Conference got Notre Dame.

The school announced Wednesday that it would join the ACC in all sports except football, though it will play five games annually against league programs and have access to its non-BCS bowl tie-ins. It's unclear exactly when the Irish will leave the Big East for its non-football sports.

"I don't think there's out there a better situation than the situation we have," said the Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame's president. "The ACC has allowed us to retain a tradition (of football independence) that's so central to our identity in football while we're joining a conference that athletically as well as academically fits Notre Dame perfectly."

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Skating coach accused of sex abuse

BALTIMORE — A figure skating coach, who competed for the Soviet Union at 1988 Calgary Olympics, is accused in a lawsuit of fondling a teenage skater.

The lawsuit alleges former Russian ice dancer Genrikh Sretenski fondled the girl in a hotel room in July 2011. The suit, which was filed in a Maryland court alleges he kissed the girl, touched her breasts and also sent her hundreds of text messages.

It seeks $5 million in damages for the girl who no longer skates competitively.

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Grouses need coach after Shimoji steps down

After nearly finishing with their first winning season in franchise history, the Toyama Grouses will not have Kazuaki Shimoji at the helm in 2012-13. Serious health issues appear to be the primary factor, league insiders told The Japan Times.

Short stint: Toyama Grouses coach Kazuaki Shimoji will not return for a second season due to health issues. ED ODEVEN

The Eastern Conference club announced on Wednesday that Shimoji would not return for a second full season in charge. His contract had expired and that opens the door for another coach to step in.

Shimoji took over as head coach in February 2011, when Kohei Eto was fired with the team stuck in last place in the Eastern Conference with an 8-18 record. Shimoji led the Grouses to a 5-13 record to close out the season.

Toyama went 25-27 this past season and guard Masashi Joho became the first Grouses player to be named to the league's Best Five team. Shimoji's overall coaching record was 30-40 with the Grouses. The 35-year-old had served as an assistant coach for the Niigata Albirex BB since 2006 before joining Toyama.

The Grouses were a strong rebounding team this past season, and that inside muscle — led by Devin Searcy's 10.7 boards per game (tied for the fourth-best output in the league) — gave the team their first taste of respectability since joining the league along with the Takamatsu Five Arrows as expansion clubs in the fall of 2006. (The Grouses were 61-171 in the regular season entering 2011-12.)

Shimoji's departure didn't shock one league insider.

On Wednesday, the source told The Japan Times, "I don't know who the next coach will be, but a (former Grouses player) told me last week that Shimoji had health problems. He said that he wouldn't be surprised if Shimoji never coaches again."

One veteran coach reacted to the news this way: "What a shame. . . . Maybe back to the drawing board (for Toyama)."

"Mr. Shimoji has had a major heart problem, and he had big surgery on his heart three times in the past," another league insider said.

The source said Shimoji had coped with Marfan Syndrome, which is described by Webster's New World College Dictionary as "a hereditary disorder characterized by abnormalities of the blood circulation and the eyes, abnormally long bones in the limbs and very mobile joints."

Wikipedia cites heart defects as a major issue that people with Marfan Syndrome must cope with.

While apparently enduring serious health problems, Shimoji had invigorated the Grouses and helped the franchise build for a successful future. At the same time, "he completed one of his dreams," a Hokuriku-based hoop pundit pointed out, "to become a head coach in the bj-league. But at the end of the season, he felt his (physical) condition exhausted him too much."

"It is unlikely he will come back to this league for a head coaching job," the source predicted.

The Grouses, Miyazaki Shining Suns and Osaka Evessa will join seven other clubs with already announced newly hired sideline supervisors in the 21-team circuit for the upcoming season.

Shimoji issued a statement thanking the team's entire staff, as well as boosters, volunteers and the local media, for their support and encouragement.

"The players gave me fighting spirit through competition," he said. "I really appreciate it . . . "

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Bobcats tap Dunlap as next coach

NEW YORK — The Charlotte Bobcats have hired former Denver Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap to be their new head coach, two people familiar with the decision said.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because an official announcement was still being planned.

Dunlap, 54, will replace Paul Silas, whose contract was not renewed after Charlotte finished with the worst winning percentage in NBA history this past season. The Bobcats were 7-59.

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Former U.S. coach Panagoulias dies

VIENNA — Former U.S. men's soccer head coach Alketas "Alkis" Panagoulias has died. He was 78.

USA Soccer and the Greek Football Association confirmed Tuesday that he died on Monday.

A native of Greece, Panagoulias led the U.S. men from 1983-85, and also guided the 1984 Olympic team. He later managed Greece from 1992-94 and led his country to its first World Cup appearance in 1994.

The Americans went 6-5-7 with Panagoulias as coach. At the time, Panagoulias' six wins were the second-highest total for a U.S. head coach.

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Clippers retain coach Del Negro

LOS ANGELES — Vinny Del Negro will be back as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers after guiding them to the highest winning percentage in franchise history during the lockout-shortened season.

The team said Tuesday that it has exercised its option on him to return for a third season. Del Negro led the Clippers to a 40-26 record, a winning percentage of 60.6 and the second round of the playoffs, where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

"We think we have the most talented roster in franchise history and Vinny turned that into the best record in franchise history," general manager Neil Olshey said by phone. "Clearly, there was never a question that Vinny was going to come back."

Del Negro has a 72-76 record in two seasons with the team.

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Banner day for Yokohama: Burrell MVP, Geary top coach

The expansion Yokohama B-Corsairs, one of the bj-league's biggest surprises this season, are the hottest team entering the postseason. With nine straight wins, Yokohama has found its stride at the best time as the hunt for a title begins.

Mr. Consistency: Yokohama B-Corsairs forward Justin Burrell led his team to a second-place finish in the bj-league's Eastern Conference as a first-year franchise. DOMINIKA FITZGERALD

Power forward Justin Burrell, arguably the league's most consistent player in 2011-12, is the seventh-year circuit's regular-season MVP. He joins an elite fraternity that includes Osaka's Lynn Washington (twice, 2005-06, 2007-08) and David Palmer (2006-07), Ryukyu's Jeff Newton (2008-09) and Hamamatsu Higashimikawa's Wendell White (2009-10) and Jeffrey Parmer (2010-11). But in the league's first three seasons a separate playoff MVP award was not issued.

B-Corsairs coach Reggie Geary was selected Coach of the Year. He is the league's second ex-NBA player to be picked for the award. Fellow American John Neumann, a high-scoring forward in his days at Ole Miss before turning pro, guided the Rizing Fukuoka to the Final Four in 2007-08 as an expansion team, and became the league's first foreign coach to earn top honors.

Akita Northern Happinets sideline supervisor Kazuo Nakamura picked up the award in each of the past two seasons when he led the Phoenix to a pair of titles.

Burrell, affectionately called "JB" by his teammates, started all 52 games for the B-Corsairs (31-21, second-best record in the Eastern Conference) and scored in double figures 51 times. He averaged 18.7 points, ninth-best total in the 19-team circuit, and 9.8 rebounds.

The 208-cm rookie, who starred for St. John's in New York City, has been a powerful inside presence for the B-Corsairs and the team's primary option on offense (361-for-693 from 2-point range, only 15 3-point attempts).

"It is an honor to be named MVP of the bj-league," Burrell said in a statement released by the team. "I am so happy to bring this award to a great up-and-coming franchise like the B-Corsairs.

"This award is attributed to the great teammates that I play with," the 24-year-old added. "Last but not least, I would like to thank the owner and management and everyone that works our games."

Burrell, also named the league's April MVP, was selected to the Best Five team, which was announced on Wednesday. Also chosen were Hamamatsu center Atsuya Ota, a Japan national team center, Rizing Fukuoka swingman Kevin Palmer, Hamamatsu point guard Jermaine Dixon and Toyama Grouses shooting guard Masashi Joho.

By all accounts, Burrell, the Big East's Sixth Man of the Year as a college senior, is a team-first, unselfish player whose nonstop hustling approach to the game earned his teammates' respect from day one. A polished low-post player with an array of scoring moves, Burrell has raised his stocked and will likely play in a higher-level league in the future.

St. John's coach Steve Lavin, who mentored Burrell for his last season in a Johnnies uniform, is also impressed with how he's played in Japan.

On Twitter, Lavin dished out the following insight: "Justin putting up big numbers, providing leadership and deserving of the Japan bj-league MVP recognition. NBA next!"

Geary, 38, has talked about the impact longtime University of Arizona coach Lute Olson had on his career. Playing at Arizona from 1992-96, Geary was known first and foremost for his defense, an on-court stopper who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs for one season apiece before plying his craft for teams in the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association, Israel, Portugal, France and Ukraine.

Since retiring as a player, Geary has served two stints on the Arizona men's basketball staff and been a head coach for the NBA Development League's Anaheim Arsenal. This season, the B-Corsairs had the league's stingiest defense, holding foes to 72.8 points per game.

"I would like to thank commissioner (Toshimitsu) Kawachi and the bj-league for this honor and recognition in being named the 2011-12 Coach of the Year," Geary said. "The support I have received from our president, (Kazuo) Hirota, our GM (Naoki) Ogawa, the city of Yokohama and the proud boosters of the B-Corsairs organization has been tremendous.

"Their support all year has pushed the team and me to do our very best and keep fighting all season."

He added: "I want to thank all the B-Corsairs players, my staff and my family for their hard work and trust in what we're trying to accomplish here collectively, none of this would've been possible (without them)."

Before shifting his focus to the playoffs, Geary summed up what Wednesday's league honors mean to the upstart franchise, calling it "a great day for the B-Corsairs organization."

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Ex-All Blacks coach Allen passes away

WELLINGTON — Sir Fred Allen, whose record of 14 wins in 14 tests makes him the most successful All Blacks rugby coach of all time, has died of leukemia at age 92, his family said.

A famously hard taskmaster dubbed "The Needle" by his players, Allen coached New Zealand from 1966 to 1968 which is remembered as one of the team's greatest eras.

Allen played six tests among 21 matches at flyhalf for the All Blacks from 1946 to 1949 and was captain in all of those games. He had previously played for the famous New Zealand army team which toured Britain after World War II, playing in 28 of its 38 matches.

He coached Auckland province from 1957 to 1963 when it defended the Ranfurly Shield challenge trophy a record 25 times.

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Floundering Wizards fire coach Saunders, promote Wittman

WASHINGTON — Flip Saunders was fired Tuesday as coach of the NBA-worst Washington Wizards and replaced by assistant Randy Wittman, who has the job for the rest of the season.

Disappearing act: Washington coach Flip Saunders was fired Tuesday, a day after the Wizards fell to 2-15 this season with a 20-point loss to the Sixers. AP

The Wizards fell to 2-15 this season, including 0-7 on the road, with a 20-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Washington's next game is at home Wednesday against the Charlotte Bobcats.

"We felt the team had become unresponsive, and we will look to Randy to provide a different voice and a change in philosophy moving forward," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement released by the team. "We have been transparent in how we would evaluate our team this season and we were disappointed in the lack of development of our players at this point in our rebuilding plan."

Saunders was in his third season with the Wizards, going 51-130. When he was hired, the roster featured All-Stars Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, but the franchise is now rebuilding around point guard John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft.

But there is not a lot of help for Wall, and the Wizards have been prone to inconsistent play, often failing to even be competitive this season. On Monday, they walked down the court for offensive possessions, never hustled after loose balls and couldn't convert the easiest of buckets, missing eight of nine shots in the paint in the first quarter.

After one string of sloppy plays, Saunders took a knee in front of the scorer's table, bowed his head and rubbed his temples.

After the game, Wall said: "Whoever got the ball just took a shot. Guys are holding their heads down, and we're not fighting or competing."

Back in December, before the lockout-shortened season began, Saunders tried to look on the bright side, saying he could envision how the young Wizards could improve on their 23-59 record from 2010-11.

"I want to compete for the playoffs," the coach said then.

But Washington got off to a franchise-worst 0-8 start — half of the losses were by at least 18 points — before beating the Toronto Raptors. Curiously, the Wizards' only other victory came against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

MIAMI — Chris Bosh scored 17 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, LeBron James added 18 and the Miami Heat survived another shaky offensive night to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-85 on Tuesday night.

Bosh made 10 of 16 shots and reached the 30-point mark for the fourth time this season for Miami, which improved to 4-1 against Cleveland since James joined the Heat. The 35 points matched Bosh's high since joining Miami.

Magic 102, Pacers 83

In Indianapolis, Ryan Anderson had 24 points and eight rebounds to help Orlando cruise past Indiana.

Knicks 111, Bobcats 78

In Charlotte, Tyson Chandler had 20 points and 17 rebounds as New York snapped a six-game losing streak and handed the Bobcats their fifth straight defeat.

Raptors 99, Suns 96

In Phoenix, Andrea Bargnani returned after missing six games with a left calf strain to score 27 of his 36 points in the second half, and the Raptors snapped an eight-game losing streak.

Trail Blazers 97, Grizzlies 84

In Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points and Marcus Camby grabbed a season-high 22 rebounds as the Trail Blazers beat Memphis, snapping the Grizzlies' seven-game winning streak.

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Philbin leaves Packers to become new coach of Dolphins

MIAMI — A month of wrenching emotion for Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin took another turn Friday when he landed the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job.

The deal was sealed less than two weeks after Philbin's 21-year-old son drowned in an icy Wisconsin river. The Dolphins confirmed the hiring in a news release and plan a news conference Saturday.

Philbin, who has never been a head coach, first interviewed with Miami on Jan. 7. The body of son Michael, one of Philbin's six children, was recovered the next day in Oshkosh.

After spending a week away from the Packers, Philbin rejoined the team last Sunday for its divisional playoff loss to the New York Giants.

Philbin has been with Green Bay since 2003, serving as offensive coordinator since 2007. Coach Mike McCarthy called the plays, but Philbin put together the game plan for one of the NFL's most prolific offenses.

The Dolphins' top choice, Jeff Fisher, turned them down a week ago to become coach of the St. Louis Rams. Miami owner Stephen Ross and general manager Jeff Ireland then conducted a second round of interviews this week with Philbin, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and Todd Bowles, the Dolphins' interim coach at the end of the season.

"Joe has all the attributes that we were looking for when we started this process," Ross said in a statement. "Jeff Ireland and I felt Joe was the right choice to bring the Dolphins back to the success we enjoyed in the past."

The Dolphins are coming off a third consecutive losing season, their longest such stretch since the 1960s. Even so, Philbin called them "one of the premier franchises in professional sports."

"The Dolphins have a strong nucleus to build around," he said in a statement. "And working with everyone in the organization, I know that together we will return the team to its winning tradition."

Ross fired Tony Sparano last month with three games to go in his fourth year as the Dolphins' coach. When the search for a new coach began, Ross said he would like to give the franchise much-needed stability by hiring "a young Don Shula."

Instead he chose the 50-year-old Philbin, who has 28 years of coaching experience, including 19 years in college.

With Philbin's help, the Packers have ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in yardage each of the past five seasons, including third in 2011. A year ago they won the Super Bowl.

"A huge congratulations to Joe Philbin," Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley tweeted. "No one deserves it more than this guy. The Pack will miss him!"

The hiring might give the Dolphins an edge if they decide to pursue Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn, who becomes a free agent this offseason. Flynn set Packers records with 480 yards passing and six touchdowns in their regular-season finale. Philbin played a major role in the development of Flynn and Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"Worked five years with Joe Philbin," former Packers executive Andrew Brandt tweeted. "Calm, cerebral, humble and a skilled offensive mind. His style will resonate with players."

Assistants becoming first-time NFL head coaches have had mixed results in recent years. The group includes the Ravens' John Harbaugh, the Saints' Sean Payton and the Steelers' Mike Tomlin, but also three coaches recently fired — Jim Caldwell by the Colts, Todd Haley by the Chiefs and Steve Spagnuolo by the Rams.

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Iwate coach Vlaikidis steps down

Family comes first. That's the message Vlasios Vlaikidis conveyed to the Iwate Big Bulls during a team meeting on Wednesday.

And so the first coach in the bj-league expansion team's brief history has decided to relinquish his coaching duties and return to his native Greece, near Thessaloniki, to be with his ailing father, who has been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks.

Shinji Tomiyama, Vlaikidis' 31-year-old assistant, was promoted to acting head coach, Iwate announced Wednesday evening.

"This is something I had to do," the 46-year-old Vlaikidis said by phone from Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, on Wednesday night.

Tomiyama served as an assistant coach for the IBL's Nippon Tornadoes in 2009, and worked under then-head coach Motofumi Aoki for the bj-league's Tokyo Apache in 2009-10. Last season, he served as a coach at the bj-league academy. A Tokyo native, Tomiyama attended Rikkyo University.

Tomiyama now steps into the spotlight to lead a young team.

"Of course, he's nervous," Vlaikidis said of Tomiyama. "This is normal before some person's first games (in charge). ... He'll feel much better when the second half of the season starts.

"As this is his first time as a head coach, he'll be under big stress for sure. But I hope he will pass this as soon as possible."

Iwate became the second bj-league team to make a coaching change this season. The struggling Saitama Broncos fired Dean Murray on Nov. 24 and named Natalie Nakase, who had been his assistant, the new head coach.

Big Bulls team president Masayuki Kido issued a statement saying he was "very sorry the head coach has resigned in the middle of the season," and he urged the team's fans to continue supporting the team as the season continues. He added that he was pleased with the improvement the team has shown since December.

The Big Bulls (7-19) travel to face the two-time defending champion Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix (14-10) this weekend.

Vlaikidis plans to depart Iwate Prefecture on Friday to return to Greece. In a team meeting Wednesday, he informed players, team management and Tomiyama about what he described as a heart-wrenching decision. He then said goodbye to each of the players, one at a time.

"I appreciated people's support very much," he said as emotions overtook his normal calm demeanor on the phone. "I had a very good time here. I'm very satisfied with everything here. I love Japan very much, and Morioka and the people here on the team very much..."

Vlaikidis has not indicated what his coaching plans are for the future, but he said he's willing and able to give any advice or strategy tips to the Big Bulls and Tomiyama if he's asked to do so.

"I'll do my best to help the team if I can," said Vlaikidis, a former assistant under current Shimane Susanoo Magic coach Zeljko Pavlicevic at Panathinaikos Athens in the early 1990s.

The Big Bulls were built from scratch. Two-time All-Star Makoto Sawaguchi, 20, was the lone player on the season-opening roster with bj-league experience last season. And Sawaguchi, a Morioka native who's scoring 10.3 points per game, was the league's youngest player last season as a member of the Akita Northern Happinets. So it wasn't like he was a grizzled veteran in this league, a la Akita's Makoto Hasegawa.

Iwate was 1-13 to start the season, but is 6-6 since then. The team made noticeable improvements despite a rough start that Vlaikidis said he expected the team to have due to its newness, and won four straight in December and went 6-4 in the month.

"Step by step, we find our way," were the words he used to describe the process. "Really, the team was moving in a very good direction."

"Also, I'm very satisfied with our Japanese guys," he added, speaking of increased contributions from guard Atsushi Nogami in recent weeks, as well as the play of Yoshiaki Yamamoto, Tasuku Namizato, Sawaguchi and Hayato Kantake.

Forward Gordon Klaiber, a well-liked veteran, added needed scoring punch from the perimeter and toughness when he joined the team in December. His personality was a good fit for the team, according to Vlaikidis.

"He knows a lot of players in the bj-league and has experience in this league," the coach said of the ex-Saitama Broncos forward.

Now, "the team is on the right path," he said.

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Mularkey to be Jaguars head coach

Jacksonville, Florida — The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as their new head coach, a move the team hopes will help improve the worst offense in the NFL.

The team plans to introduce Mularkey at a news conference Wednesday. The Florida Times-Union newspaper first reported the hire late Tuesday.

Mularkey's Falcons managed only two points in a playoff loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. Nonetheless, his long relationship with Jaguars general manager Gene Smith made him a front-runner from the beginning of the search.

"Mike recognizes the challenge and opportunity before all of us, and that's to make the Jacksonville Jaguars one of the premier franchises in the National Football League, bar none," new owner Shahid Khan said in a statement.

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Sorimachi named Yamaga coach

Japan's Beijing Olympic coach Yasuharu Sorimachi has been appointed manager of newly promoted J. League second-division team Matsumoto Yamaga, the club announced on Friday.

Nagano-based Yamaga had been searching for a coach to replace Yoshiyuki Kato, who guided the team to promotion from the semi-professional Japan Football League but does not have the required coaching credentials to manage a J. League team.

The 47-year-old Sorimachi has promoted both Albirex Niigata and Shonan Bellmare to the J. League top flight during his career. He left Shonan after the team finished 14th in J2 last season.

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Ex-UCLA, UAB coach Bartow dies

Birmingham, Alabama — Gene Bartow, who succeeded John Wooden at UCLA and later began UAB's athletic program, has died, UAB officials said. He was 81.

Bartow, who was the president of the company that owns the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and FedEx Forum, died Tuesday evening at his home in Birmingham, Ala., after a battle with stomach cancer, said university spokesman Norm Reilly.

"Coach Bartow is a beloved figure in college basketball and in the lives of many players and fans," said UAB athletic director Brian Mackin in a statement. "He was a great man and dedicated leader who set a standard of excellence for UAB athletics."

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Jones named new Japan rugby coach

The Japan Rugby Football Union on Monday announced the appointments of Eddie Jones as head coach of the national team and Masahiro Kunda as assistant coach.

Jones took his native Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup against England and was also on board as technical advisor for South Africa's World Cup-winning campaign four years later.

"I'm very excited and honored to have the job as head coach of Japan," said the 51-year-old boss of Suntory Sungoliath from the Japanese Top League.

"The first thing we're going to have to do is to win. I want Japan to win and be in the top 10 in the world. We need to develop a solid play that suits Japanese players."

Japan, currently 15th in the world rankings, has set two main goals: to break into the top 10 in the world toward the 2015 World Cup in England and to reach the knockout stage of the 2019 tournament as hosts.

"We've got a very big challenge ahead us," Jones said.

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Leafs give coach Wilson extension

TORONTO — Maples Leafs coach Ron Wilson has gotten his Christmas wish.

Two days after hinting on Twitter of his desire for a new contract, Wilson says the team has given him an extension.

" 'He came! He came!' Remember saying that as a little kid? Well he did: I got a new Red Ryder BB gun and a contract extension!" Wilson tweeted Sunday morning.

The team did not immediately respond to an email seeking confirmation. Wilson tweeted Friday that what he wanted for Christmas was a new contract from general manager Brian Burke.

"This Xmas could be better if Santa stuffs a certain piece of paper in my stocking. What could that be?" Wilson posted on his Twitter account.

The 56-year-old Wilson is in the final season of a four-year contract. The Leafs are sixth in the Eastern Conference with 40 points. Toronto has not made the playoffs in three previously seasons under Wilson, who is 119-120-42 with the Leafs.

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Pacers name Vogel head coach; Gilliam dead at 47

INDIANAPOLIS — Frank Vogel played the waiting game to become head coach with the same confidence that made him a favorite of both fans and players during his half a season carrying the interim tag.

Interim no more: Frank Vogel speaks at a news conference in Indianapolis on Wednesday after being introduced as the head coach of the Pacers. AP PHOTO

"They never told me I wasn't going to be the coach, so I just tried to carry myself like I was," the 38-year-old said Wednesday after the Pacers officially made him the head coach.

Vogel took over for Jim O'Brien in the middle of last season, went 20-18 to close the regular season and led the team to its first playoff berth since 2006. He didn't worry about the interim tag until after the season ended.

"Once I took over, I really didn't have time to think about big-picture stuff," he said. "I was just trying to win the next day and make sure I was prepared the next day. Once it all ended, and I realized how close I was, it was just exciting, and I was just hopeful and trying to carry myself the right way."

Vogel takes over a team that has plenty of young talent, playoff experience and significant salary cap space, should the labor situation get sorted out.

Danny Granger, at 28, is the oldest starter. Roy Hibbert just finished his third year, point guard Darren Collison and forward Tyler Hansbrough were second-year players, and Paul George was a rookie. The team added local star George Hill in a draft-night trade.

Pacers president Larry Bird made Vogel the favorite to get the job from the beginning of the search, then took his time making the decision official.

"As I stated after the season, I was in no hurry regarding the coach, mainly because I knew I had a good candidate in Frank," Bird said. "But we wanted to get through the draft, and I wanted to have numerous conversations with Frank about a staff that will cover all areas. I feel strongly he is doing that and this coaching staff, as a whole, will help this franchise continue to move forward."

Early in his tenure as interim coach, Vogel said Eastern Conference powers Boston, Miami and Orlando wouldn't want to play the Pacers when — not if — they made the playoffs.

He introduced "smashmouth" ball, an approach that focused on attacking the basket instead of O'Brien's perimeter-oriented game. He moved Hansbrough and George into the starting lineup and helped restore center Hibbert's confidence.

His team quickly bought into his approach and the changes.

"I really felt it build up right from the beginning," Vogel said. "I started implementing changes right away. I think there was a belief in what we were doing."

As the Pacers started winning, calls to remove Vogel's interim tag grew.

"I'm overwhelmed," he said. "Every person in this building has been supportive of me, and I'm very grateful for that. I'm grateful for the fan support, and I'm grateful for the relationships that I've built this year and continuing to grow them."

PITTSBURGH — Armen Gilliam, who was part of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team that made a run to the Final Four in 1987 and played for several NBA teams, has died. He was 47.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said Wednesday that Gilliam died Tuesday night at the LA Fitness gym in Bridgeville while he was playing basketball.

The office said the cause of death has not yet been determined pending an autopsy which is likely to be completed later Wednesday.

After college, the Phoenix Suns drafted Gilliam as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the draft. Besides the Suns, Gilliam also played with the then-Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz. He retired in 2000.

"We are deeply saddened to learn about the loss of Armen Gilliam," said Rod Thorn, president of the 76ers. "He was a hard-working, physical player during his distinguished 13 years in the NBA and we are proud of the contributions he made to the Sixers from 1990 to 1993.

"On behalf of the entire Sixers organization, we send our deepest condolences to the Gilliam family during this very difficult time."

Nicknamed "The Hammer," Gilliam was the leading scorer on the 1987 UNLV team coached by Jerry Tarkanian.

In a statement released by UNLV, Tarkanian, who coached basketball there from 1973-1992, called him one of the best players the university ever had.

"In my ratings, I had Larry Johnson No. 1 and Armen No. 2. He was such a great person. Everybody loved him and he loved everybody," Tarkanian said. "He was such a gentle person and such a caring guy. I am all shook up over it. I think the world of him and am just really shocked."

Gilliam's No. 35 UNLV jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center in November 2007.

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