McGrady out three weeks with knee injury
HOUSTON, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady learned Tuesday he will miss three weeks while rehabbing his sore left knee.
Dr. James Andrews said McGrady is suffering from general soreness in the knee, which was surgically repaired last off-season. He had originally been ruled out for a week, but McGrady said after Tuesday's workout he would be out three weeks.
McGrady has missed the last three games with soreness in his knee. He has averaged 15.6 points and four assists through 15 games played this season.
The Rockets also will be without Brent Barry for the next two weeks after suffering a small tear in his leg muscle. The team also missed Shane Battier for the first 16 games, after he had off-season surgery to remove bone spurs.
Kelly to succeed Bellotti as Oregon coach
EUGENE, Ore., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will become head football coach whenever Mike Bellotti moves to athletics director, the school said Tuesday.
Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer said he plans to promote Bellotti when Pat Kilkenny steps down as athletics director at a time yet to be determined.
"Today I'm announcing a transition plan to assure the athletics department continues its momentum as one of the premier programs in the country," said Frohnmayer. "The exact timing of the changes is yet to be determined."
Bellotti, 57, is the longest-tenured head football coach in the Pac-10 Conference. He has a record of 115-55 in 14 seasons at Oregon while guiding the program to 12 bowl appearances. The Ducks went to 9-3 this season following Saturday's 65-38 win at Oregon State.
Kelly has been Oregon's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the last two seasons following eight years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at New Hampshire.
Towson University fires football coach
TOWSON, Md., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Gordy Combs, who spent 17 seasons as head football coach at Towson University, was fired Tuesday.
Combs spent 39 years at Towson University, 19 as an assistant coach and the past 17 as head coach when he posted a 92-90 record. The Tigers were 3-9 this past season, including a 1-7 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association.
"It was a difficult decision, but I believe it's time for Towson football to make a coaching change," said Towson Athletics Director Mike Hermann.
"Gordy and his staff have built a solid foundation for the program at the Colonial Athletic Association level, but we have not had the competitive success that we expect over the past two seasons."
Avery suspended indefinitely by NHL
FRISCO, Texas, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The National Hockey League suspended Dallas forward Sean Avery indefinitely Tuesday for making inappropriate comments about his ex-girlfriends to reporters.
The final outcome of his case is pending a hearing before NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Fox News reported that following a morning skate in Calgary, Alberta, Tuesday Avery approached a group of reporters, asked if a camera was present and then said: "I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds."
Two of Avery's ex-girlfriends, actresses Elisha Cuthbert and Rachel Hunter, have been linked to other NHL players.
"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," said Stars owner Thomas O. Hicks. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."
Avery, 28, signed a four-year contract worth $15.5 million during the summer after spending the past one-plus seasons with the New York Rangers. He has three goals and seven assists in 23 games this season. In 402 career games with the Red Wings, Kings, Rangers and Stars, Avery has 68 goals, 177 points and 1,144 minutes in penalties.
