SPORTS digest

Treadwell returning to Michigan State staff

EAST LANSING, Mich.

Former Michigan State and Youngstown State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell is returning to the Spartans’ staff.

The school announced that Treadwell will help coach defensive backs and special teams while also serving as an offensive consultant. He’ll also be the team’s freshman head coach — a new role created to support the growth and development of first-year players.

Treadwell was Michigan State’s offensive coordinator from 2007-10. Treadwell left after that season to become the head coach at Miami of Ohio.

Treadwell coached at YSU from 1986-91 under former head coach Jim Tressel. During his time with the YSU, Treadwell coached the wide receivers, running backs and quarterbacks. He was the Penguins’ offensive coordinator during YSU’s 1991 national championship season.

Milwaukee Bucks fire head coach Jason Kidd

MILWAUKEE

The Milwaukee Bucks have fired coach Jason Kidd following a midseason slide that left the playoff hopeful in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Assistant coach Joe Prunty was served as head coach for Monday night’s game against Phoenix.

It was a surprising end to Kidd’s three-plus season tenure in Milwaukee, when the Bucks made the playoffs twice. Giannis Antetokounmpo turned into an All-Star under his watch. The Bucks were considered an emerging force in the East at the start of the season.

But the Bucks have lost four of five going into Monday and had been prone to defensive lapses especially on the perimeter.

Arizona hires Panthers’ Wilks as head coach

PHOENIX

Steve Wilks is the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cardinals announced that the 48-year-old Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator had agreed to a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth.

Wilks spent one season as coordinator in Carolina, his 12th year as an NFL assistant. Wilks spent five seasons as Panthers secondary coach before his promotion a year ago.

Wilks replaces Bruce Arians, who retired after five seasons and compiled a franchise-record 50 victories.

Giants hire Shurmur as next head coach

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has been hired as the New York Giants head coach.

The Giants announced the hiring less than 24 hours after Shurmur and the Vikings were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title game.

The 52-year-old Shurmur replaces Ben McAdoo, who was fired in early December with the team mired with a 2-10 record and owners and fans upset with his handling of the benching of two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.

He returns to the head coaching ranks for the first time since leading the Cleveland Browns in 2011-12.

Shurmur takes over a troubled team that posted a 3-13 record a year after making the playoffs.

Mayfield’s Senior Bowl arrival delayed

MOBILE, ALA.

Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield’s arrival at the Senior Bowl was delayed.

Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage said the quarterback went home to Austin, Texas for a “personal family matter”.

Mayfield was scheduled to arrive in Mobile Sunday afternoon. Savage says he’s expected to make it to town in time for Tuesday’s North practice to begin the weeklong audition for NFL teams.

Mayfield is set to become the first Heisman winner to play in the game since Tim Tebow in 2007. He’ll play for the North team coached by Vace Joseph and the Denver Broncos staff.

He led the Sooners into the College Football Playoffs and also won the Maxwell, O’Brien, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and AP Player of the Year awards.

Staff/wire Report