SPORTS DIGEST || Miami, ex-Georgia coach Richt reach deal

Miami, ex-Georgia coach Richt reach deal

CORAL GABLES, FLA.

Mark Richt is going back to where his college career began.

The former Miami quarterback has reached a tentative agreement to be the Hurricanes’ next head coach, pending the completion of contract talks, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed and the university has not announced the hire publicly.

Richt spent the last 15 seasons as the head coach at Georgia, averaging nearly 10 wins a season and leading the Bulldogs to a pair of Southeastern Conference championships.

He is a South Florida native and played for Howard Schnellenberger at Miami, when the Hurricanes were just becoming the program that would win five national championships in 19 seasons.

Richt takes over a Miami program that hasn’t won more than nine games in a season since 2003, and hasn’t won a bowl game since 2006.

Sixers suspend Okafor for bad behavior

PHILADELPHIA

The Philadelphia 76ers say they are immediately suspending center Jahlil Okafor for two games, expressing disappointment for recent behavior including a fight outside a Boston nightclub and reckless driving on a bridge.

The Sixers said Wednesday night before the team’s game in New York against the Knicks that they will provide resources and support to help him succeed on and off the court.

The suspension comes the same day a second video surfaced showing Okafor fighting in Boston, prompting local police to urge anyone who was assaulted to come forward.

The videos posted by TMZ appear to show two separate scuffles. In one, Okafor is seen shoving a man. Another shows Okafor shouting and a man lying on the sidewalk bleeding from his face.

The 19-year-old rookie says he is embarrassed by his behavior and is dealing with the team and the NBA on possible discipline.

NFL postpones vote on teams for Los Angeles

IRVING, TEXAS

NFL owners have punted on allowing teams to move to Los Angeles — at least for five weeks.

The owners on Wednesday set a special meeting to deal with a possible relocation of teams to Los Angeles for Jan. 12-13 in Houston. But Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted there might not even be a vote then.

“It’s not a requirement that we vote at that meeting,” Goodell said. “There are still a lot of unknowns to make that prediction.”

The Rams, Raiders and Chargers are interested in moving to LA, which has not had an NFL franchise since the Rams and Raiders left after the 1994 season. But the 32 owners, 24 of whom are required to OK a franchise relocation, are seeking more information from the cities hoping to retain their franchises: St. Louis, Oakland and San Diego. There also is nothing close to a clear consensus on approval of either of the stadium proposals for LA. Rams owner Stan Kroenke is planning a billion-dollar stadium in Inglewood, California.

Ohio State’s Elliott, Iowa’s Ferentz honored

ROSEMONT, Ill.

Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott is the offensive player of the year and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz is the coach of the year in the Big Ten.

The league announced Ferentz’s honor and offensive awards, as determined by a vote of coaches and media.

Elliott, also the running back of the year, leads the Big Ten with 1,672 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.

Ferentz guided Iowa to a 12-0 record after going 7-6 in 2014. He also was coach of the year in 2002, 2004 and 2009.

Other offensive honors: Connor Cook, Michigan State, quarterback of the year; Aaron Burbridge, Michigan State, receiver of the year; Jake Butt, Michigan, tight end of the year; Taylor Decker, Ohio State, offensive lineman of the year.

Associated Press