SPORTS digest

Canfield’s Koenig steps down as baseball coach

CANFIELD

Matt Koenig, Canfield High School’s winningest baseball coach, has resigned after 13 years as varsity head coach.

In his second season, Koenig guided the Cardinals to the 2007 Division II state championship. His teams won 242 of the program’s 400 victories.

The Cards won seven conference championships and were regional runners-up with Koenig at the helm.

“I had a memorable 13 years, but I feel that now is the right time to step away,” Koenig said.

Pistons hire Dwane Casey

DETROIT

The Detroit Pistons have hired Dwane Casey as their new coach.

Pistons owner Tom Gores announced the move Monday, calling Casey one of the most successful and respected coaches in the NBA.

Casey was given a five-year deal to lead the Pistons, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t release the terms of the contract.

Casey led Toronto to a team-record 59 wins this year and helped the franchise earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time. The NBA coach of the year finalist was fired by the Raptors shortly after they were swept by Cleveland.

Michigan coach John Beilein and San Antonio assistant Ime Udoka were also candidates in Detroit.

Bode Miller’s daughter drowns in pool

MISSION VIEJO, CALIF.

The 19-month-old daughter of Olympic skier Bode Miller has drowned in a pool.

Orange County sheriff’s spokeswoman Carrie Braun says Emeline Miller died Sunday at a hospital. Braun says the death is under investigation.

Capt. Tony Bommarito of the Orange County Fire Authority says paramedics were called to a house in the upscale enclave of Coto de Caza just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday and tried to resuscitate a 19-month-old drowning victim.

Bommarito says they were unable to revive her and she was later pronounced dead.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team tweeted its condolences to Miller and his family.

Miller is the most decorated male U.S. skier, with multiple World Cup wins. He won one gold, three silver and two bronze medals over three Olympic games.

Falcons’ Julio Jones to skip minicamp

Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons are being forced to open their mandatory minicamp without Julio Jones, one of their most important playmakers.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff says the team was informed Monday that Jones will not be present when the three-day minicamp opens today. In a statement released by the team, Dimitroff described the situation with the wide receiver as “not ideal.”

Jones has three seasons remaining on his five-year, $71.3 million deal with $47 million in guaranteed money. His average salary now ranks behind several receivers.

Bruins’ McKenzie dies

BOSTON

Johnny McKenzie, a rough-and-tumble right wing who helped lead the Boston Bruins to two Stanley Cup titles, has died. He was 80.

The team says McKenzie died Saturday, citing its alumni department. A cause was not given.

McKenzie also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. But he was mostly known for his time with the Bruins from 1965 to 1972 when he was a key part of teams that won the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972.

McKenzie was born in High River, Alberta. He was just 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, but that did not deter his physical play. He had 169 goals and 227 assists with the Bruins, along with 710 penalty minutes over 454 games.

Staff/wire report