Houston hires OSU’s Herman to be coach

Houston hires OSU’s Herman to be coach

HOUSTON

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Houston is negotiating with Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman to be its new head coach.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a deal hadn’t been completed. Houston fired coach Tony Levine last week. Fox Sports first reported Herman was expected to be Houston’s next coach.

The 39-year-old Herman Cincinnati native spent the first 10 years of his career coaching in the state of Texas before becoming offensive coordinator at Iowa State (2009-11).

He has been quarterbacks coach and play-caller for Ohio State teams that have gone 36-3 the past three seasons. The Buckeyes rank fifth in the nation in yards per play this season.

Pitt’s Chryst waiting on Wisconsin decision

FORT WORTH, Texas

Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst says he is waiting for a final decision on the open job at Wisconsin just like everybody else.

Chryst said Monday he has talked to the Badgers about the head coaching position but does not anticipate hearing anything definitive before Wednesday. Chryst is a former Wisconsin player and assistant coach. He is 19-19 in three seasons with the Panthers and spoke Monday in Fort Worth, where Pitt will play Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl on Jan. 2.

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said the school has to wait until Wednesday at the earliest before naming a successor to Gary Andersen, who left after two seasons to coach at Oregon State.

The Badgers have also spoken to former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano about the job.

Pens forward Bennett tested for mumps

PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Penguins are worried forward Beau Bennett has mumps.

General manager Jim Rutherford said Monday that Bennett has symptoms and the team is awaiting test results before making a diagnosis. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is out for Monday night’s game against Tampa Bay after being diagnosed over the weekend. Rutherford said Crosby is past the infectious stage and could return this week.

The Penguins are one of a handful of NHL teams dealing with a mumps outbreak. The virus usually is found in children and its symptoms include facial swelling and fatigue.

Liriano gets $2M signing bonus in deal

PITTSBURGH

Francisco Liriano gets a $2 million signing bonus as part of his $39 million, three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The left-hander will receive an $11 million salary next year and $13 million in each of the final two seasons of the deal, which was completed Friday. The signing bonus is payable by Dec. 31.

Liriano would get a $325,000 bonus for winning the Cy Young Award, $150,000 for finishing second and $100,000 for third. He also would get a $50,000 bonus for making the All-Star team and $25,000 each for League Championship Series MVP and World Series MVP. He also would get $25,000 for Division Series MVP — an award that doesn’t yet exist.

The 31-year-old went 23-18 with a 3.20 ERA for Pittsburgh in 2013 and 2014, helping the franchise reach consecutive playoff berths for the first time in over 20 years. He figures to pitch at the top end of a rotation that includes Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett.

Rushing leader Murray has broken hand

IRVING, Texas

NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray has a broken hand that requires surgery, and Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones says it is “probably a tough expectation” that he would play Sunday against Indianapolis.

Jones said on his radio show that Murray was having surgery Monday.

Murray has 1,687 yards rushing and needs 87 yards to break all-time NFL rushing leader Emmitt Smith’s franchise record of 1,773 yards.

Wire reports