SPORTS DIGEST || ESPN reports Texans, O’Brien reach deal

ESPN reports Texans, O’Brien reach deal

HOUSTON

Tuesday, ESPN reported that the Houston Texans have reached an agreement with Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien to become their new head coach.

Two seasons ago, O’Brien was the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots then replaced Joe Paterno at Penn State. The Nittany Lions went 15-9 under O’Brien.

Johnny Orr, 86; was Michigan coach

DES MOINES, Iowa

Johnny Orr, the fist-pumping basketball coach who led Michigan to the national title game and Iowa State into national prominence, has died. He was 86.

His death was confirmed Tuesday by Iowa State, where Orr led the Cyclones to a school-record 218 wins from 1980 until 1994.

Orr spent 29 seasons as a Division I coach. Twelve were at Michigan, where he guided the Wolverines to four NCAA tournament berths, the national title game in 1976 and 209 wins, the most in the school history.

Orr also spent three seasons at Massachusetts. The energetic and charismatic Orr finished with a career record of 466-346 and 10 NCAA tournament appearances.

Belcher’s mother sues Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

The mother of former Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the team Tuesday after exhuming his body so that his brain could be examined for evidence of a degenerative condition linked to repeated concussions.

The lawsuit, filed by Cheryl Shepherd in Jackson County (Mo.) circuit court, alleges Belcher was subjected to “repetitive head trauma,” and that the Chiefs failed to provide adequate medical care before Belcher killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide last December.

Shepherd is seeking a jury trial and $15,000 in damages.

Belcher’s body was exhumed at a cemetery in Bay Shore, N.Y., at his family’s request earlier this month so that his brain could be studied for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative neurological condition. CTE has been linked to multiple concussions and includes symptoms such as memory problems, behavioral changes and eventually dementia.

Skaters Richardson, Davis win again

KEARNS, Utah

Shani Davis and Heather Richardson established themselves as leading medal contenders heading into the Sochi Olympics, winning the 1,500 meters at the U.S. speedskating trials.

Davis already had qualified in the 1,000 — the race he won at the last two Olympics. He cruised to victory in the 1,500 at 1 minute, 43.20 seconds. Now, he’ll look to improve on the silver medals he won in that event at both Turin and Vancouver.

Richardson crossed the line in 1:54.19 to capture the women’s race, beating friendly rival Brittany Bowe for the third straight time at the trials.

Brian Hansen finished second to Davis in 1:43.70. The other two spots on the Olympic team were claimed by Joey Mantia and Jonathan Kuck.

Jilleanne Rookard grabbed the third women’s spot.

Hawks’ Horford has surgery

ATLANTA

Hawks center Al Horford has had season-ending surgery to repair a complete tear of his right pectoral muscle.

Tuesday’s surgery at Atlanta’s Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot.

Horford, who was the Hawks’ leading scorer and rebounder, suffered the injury in the first overtime of Thursday night’s 127-125 double-overtime win at Cleveland.

Horford is averaging 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

He suffered a similar injury when he tore his left pectoral muscle early in the 2011-12 season. He returned for the playoffs two years ago. The Hawks say Horford will miss the playoffs this season.

Staff/wire reports