BASEBALL
Miss. State coach resigns
Andy Cannizaro resigned as Mississippi State's baseball coach Tuesday. Cannizaro said in a university release that "unfortunately, I made some poor decisions." Cannizaro added that "I hope Mississippi State University and all of the fans and people affected will one day forgive me." The nature of Cannizaro's "poor decisions" wasn't specified. Athletic Director John Cohen said Gary Henderson would serve as interim head coach. Henderson had been a pitching coach on Cannizaro's staff. He was Kentucky's head coach from 2009-16 and had a 258-199 record. Cannizaro was only in his second year on the job and had posted a 40-30 record. Mississippi State went 40-27 last season and reached an NCAA super regional. The Bulldogs opened this season by losing three consecutive games to Southern Mississippi.
FOOTBALL
Tampa Bay releases Martin
Two-time Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin has been released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who may look for a replacement in free agency. Martin rushed for a career-low 406 yards in 2017, when he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry after missing the first three games of the season while serving the remainder of a four-game ban for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancers. The release comes less than two years after Martin signed a five-year, $35.75 million contract that would have paid him $6.75 million in 2018. Martin lost his starting job to second-year pro Peyton Barber late last season. Tuesday's move leaves the Bucs in the market for a new featured back, which the team may seek in free agency or the draft.
Texans, Cushing part ways
The Houston Texans released veteran linebacker Brian Cushing on Tuesday. Cushing, who was a first-round pick in 2009, is the franchise's all-time leader in tackles with 664, but his career has been marked by two suspensions for violating the league's policy on performance enhancers. Cushing was suspended for the first four games of 2010 after testing positive for HCG, a fertility drug that is on the league's banned substance list. Cushing had won 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year, an honor which was jeopardized by the suspension. He kept the award after a revote by The Associated Press' awards panel. His second suspension came in September and cost him 10 games. He appeared in five games last season and finished with 16 tackles and 1½ sacks. He had more than 100 tackles in three seasons, led by 133 in his rookie year, and is fifth in franchise history with 42 tackles for losses. He also had 13½ sacks, eight interceptions, 30 passes defended, 57 quarterback hits, nine forced fumbles and one safety in his nine seasons in Houston.
Harbaugh hires McElwain
Former Florida head coach Jim McElwain is joining Jim Harbaugh's coaching staff at Michigan, where he'll coach wide receivers. The move was reported several days ago by various outlets including Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated. McElwain joins the Wolverines staff as the program's 10th assistant coach. He'll join an offensive staff that includes offensive coordinator Tim Drevno and passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton. McElwain spent two-plus seasons at Florida where he led the Gators to a 22-16 overall record including back-to-back SEC East titles in 2015 and 2016.
BASKETBALL
Hornets fire general manager
The struggling Charlotte Hornets fired general manager Rich Cho on Tuesday.Team owner Michael Jordan announced the news in a release, saying "we're deeply committed to our fans and to the city of Charlotte to provide a consistent winner on the court. The search will now begin for our next head of basketball operations who will help us achieve that goal." Charlotte is 24-33 and on the verge of failing to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Jordan's college teammate Buzz Peterson was hired last year as the team's assistant general manager is a potential replacement. Cho was hired as GM in 2011 and assumed day-to-day responsibilities of the basketball operations department in 2014.
TENNIS
Isner wins rematch
Sixth-seeded John Isner overcame a slow start Tuesday to win his rematch against Radu Albot in the first round of the Delray Beach Open, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Isner lost to Albot last week in the first round of the New York Open, and had been beaten in the opening match of his three previous tournaments this year. No. 9 Milos Raonic, last year's runner-up to champion Jack Sock, swept the final five games and beat Taro Daniel 6-1, 7-5. Ivo Karlovic, the 2015 champion, converted only one of 12 break-point chances and lost to Denis Shapovalov 7-5, 7-6 (4).
Sports on 02/21/2018