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Police arrest four in Sean Taylor death

MIAMI, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Four men were arrested Friday in the fatal shooting of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor and a police official said they would be charged with murder.

Taylor was shot early Monday in the bedroom of his Palmetto Bay, Fla., home. The bullet struck Taylor in the groin, severing his femoral artery and causing a massive loss of blood. He died early Tuesday in a Miami hospital.

Robert Parker, director of the Miami-Dade County Police Department, named those arrested as Venjah Hunte, Jason Mitchell, Charles Wardlow and Eric Rivera Jr. They were between the ages of 17 and 20.

"We had pretty conclusive tips of information as to who the involved parties were," Parker said. "Who cares what they went there to do. They're re going to be charged with murder."

Taylor was the fifth overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft and he made the Pro Bowl for the first time last season. He had missed the Redskins' previous two games with a knee injury.

The Redskins said Friday they will pay tribute to Taylor during their game Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Favre expected to play in next game

GREEN BAY, Wis., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, injured in a loss to Dallas, should be ready to play in the Packers' next game, Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday.

"He's been diagnosed with an elbow bruise," McCarthy said.

The coach said Favre aggravated an old shoulder injury.

"He was in for treatment today, and we see him playing (Dec. 9) against Oakland," said McCarthy.

Favre left Thursday night's 37-27 loss to Dallas in the second quarter after being hit on a Cowboys' blitz.

He has started 249 straight games at quarterback, an NFL record.

Texas Southern hires Johnnie Cole as coach

HOUSTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Texas Southern University announced Friday that Johnnie Cole is the new coach of its football team, which was winless in 11 games this season.

Cole, a onetime Texas Southern quarterback, coached at Lane College in Tennessee the past three years.

He succeeds Steve Wilson, who was fired after the Tigers played nine games this season. Defensive coordinator DeChon Burns took over for the last two games.

"We needed someone who could effectively maximize our team's potential and take the TSU football program to the next level, and based on his success at Lane College we believe Johnnie Cole is that person," Athletic Director Alois Blackwell said.

Cole's Lane College team had a 7-3 record this year.

Seattle Storm Coach Anne Donovan resigns

SEATTLE, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Anne Donovan, coach of the WNBA's Seattle Storm for nearly five years, resigned Friday, saying it was "time for a change" in her career.

Donovan, whose 2004 team won the league championship, had a year remaining on a three-year contract.

"We weren't expecting Anne's decision but respect it and are prepared to move on with the search for a new head coach," said Karen Bryant, the team's chief operating officer.

Donovan became Seattle's coach Dec. 18, 2002, after coaching the Charlotte Sting for two years.

Her Storm teams had an overall regular-season record of 93-77 and made it to the playoffs four times, including the 2004 championship run.

"After five years and a great experience with the Storm, I have decided it's time for a change and a new direction in my career, an opportunity for me to explore new experiences," Donovan said.