Penguins fall to Ohio State

Penguins fall to Ohio State

COLUMBUS

The Youngstown State men’s tennis team opened its spring slate with a 7-0 loss at fifth-ranked Ohio State on Sunday at OSU’s Varsity Tennis Center. Playing close matches for YSU were Hugo Morth at No. 2 singles and Bassem El Mekawi at No. 3 singles.

Morth, who was playing Ralf Steinbach, dropped the first set 6-1 before forcing a tiebreaker in the second set. After a back-and-forth match, Steinbach defeated Morth 7-6 (7-5) in the second set.

El Mekawi dropped his first set to Herkko Pollanen, 6-0, before battling to a 7-5 loss in the second set. In doubles, the Buckeyes (2-0) won two of three matches to earn the point.

49ers eye Kiffin

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.

The 49ers appear to be aiming for an ex-Raiders reunion.

According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a “front-runner” for the 49ers’ offensive coordinator position is one-time Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin, whose coaching career has been marked by turmoil and abrupt departures and who has spent the past year overseeing the University of Alabama’s offense.

Schefter also mentions Indianapolis Colts assistant Rob Chudzinski as an option. Chudzinski was Cleveland Browns head coach in 2013.

Kubiak, Broncos close to a deal

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Denver Broncos GM John Elway is hashing out a four-year contract with Gary Kubiak to become the team’s head coach.

Kubiak replaces John Fox, who was ousted last Monday following Denver’s loss to Indianapolis in the playoffs.

Elway and team president Joe Ellis met with Kubiak in Houston for several hours Sunday.

Kubiak was Elway’s backup QB from 1983-91 and Denver’s offensive coordinator from 1995-2005 under Mike Shanahan.

Kubiak, who was the Ravens’ offensive coordinator last season, went 63-66, counting the playoffs, as head coach of the Texans from 2006-13.

Falcons pursue Seahawks’ Quinn

ATLANTA

Seattle’s NFC championship game win isn’t stopping the Atlanta Falcons from talking with Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

NFL’s anti-tampering rules allow head coach candidates to hold second meetings with teams on the open week between conference championship games and the Super Bowl. The Falcons can’t offer the job to Quinn until after the Feb. 1 Super Bowl.

Quinn will become the second candidate to hold a second interview with the Falcons, who are looking to replace Mike Smith. The Falcons had their second meeting with Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin last week.

Manning says no to Pro Bowl

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.

As Peyton Manning ponders his football future, he’s concluded one thing: He won’t play in the Pro Bowl next weekend in Glendale, Arizona.

Manning said his right thigh injury hasn’t gotten much better in the week since the Denver Broncos were bounced from the playoffs by Indianapolis.

The five-time NFL MVP extended his QB record with his 14th Pro Bowl selection this season, tying center Bruce Matthews and tight end Tony Gonzalez for the most in NFL history.

Manning calls it “a great honor” to be selected to the game and he’s “always taken the obligation to play in it very seriously.”

“I’ve believed that, if healthy, it’s a player’s responsibility to play in the game because of what it means to be voted in by your peers and the fans,” Manning said.

Detroit’s Matthew Stafford was added to the Pro Bowl to replace him.

Staff/wire reports