Oregon's Kelly named Eagles head coach
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Eagles Wednesday named Chip Kelly of the University of Oregon as their new head coach, replacing Andy Reid.
The team said in a written statement Kelly had earlier this month decided to remain at Oregon but changed his mind about the NFL opportunity and would become the Eagles' 21st head coach.
"Chip Kelly will be an outstanding head coach for the Eagles," team owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "He has a brilliant football mind. He motivates his team with his actions as well as his words. He will be a great leader for us and will bring a fresh, energetic approach to our team."
The Eagles have been looking for a shot in the arm after a disappointing 4-12 season that turned out to be the final one of Reid's 14-year tenure in Philadelphia. Known for its high-octane offense, the Ducks ran up a dazzling 46-7 record in four years under Kelly and averaged nearly 50 points per game.
Kelly's arrival raises the likelihood the highly mobile Michael Vick will remain the Eagles' starting quarterback.
Kelly, 49, interviewed with the Eagles in Arizona the day after Oregon played in the Fiesta Bowl. At the time, it was reported Kelly had decided to stay with the university. It was not clear what changed his mind in the 10 days after the Arizona meeting.
Armstrong compensation offer rejected
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department has reportedly turned down cyclist Lance Armstrong's offer of more than $5 million in compensation, CBS News said.
Sources told CBS News that the offer was intended to compensate the U.S. Postal Service for the money it paid to sponsor Armstrong's cycling team from 1999 to 2004.
In addition to the money, CBS said it learned that Armstrong has offered to be a cooperating witness in a federal investigation.
The contract Armstrong had with the postal service banned doping but late last year the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency produced evidence that his team ran "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program the sport has ever seen."
Armstrong sat down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey that will air on Thursday.
In that interview he offered a limited confession, CBS News has confirmed.
Winfrey told "CBS This Morning" that he "did not come clean in the manner that I expected."
Spurs sued over Nov. 29 game at Miami
SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The San Antonio Spurs are being sued by a former Miami Heat season-ticket holder for sending four players home before their Nov. 29 game at Miami.
In his suit, Miami-based attorney Larry McGuinness accuses Spurs coach Gregg Popovich of inflicting "economic damages" on fans who paid premium prices to attend the game, the San Antonio Express News reported Wednesday.
NBA teams vary game ticket prices with those for higher-profile opponents costing more.
McGuinness said he would have stayed home and watched the game on television if he had known the Spurs sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green back to San Antonio.
"It was like going to a restaurant and ordering the most expensive item on the menu -- lobster -- and you get a horrible chicken fried steak," said McGuinness.
The class-action lawsuit asks the Spurs for the differential between premium and lower-tier tickets.
McGuinness said if he wins, he'll donate his portion to Superstorm Sandy relief.
Tickets to cost $6 for Sochi Olympics Park
SOCHI, Russia, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Tickets to the park where Russia will host the Winter Olympics next year will cost only $6.60, officials announced Wednesday.
The tickets will allow entry to the coastal Olympic Park in Sochi where the games will be held, but don't give access to the any of the venues inside the park, RIA Novosti reported.
The $6.60 cost is considerably cheaper than the $16 tickets to enter the Olympic Park at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
"We're not trying to make a business out of this, but we have to regulate the number of people," said organizing committee head Dmitry Chernyshenko. "About 75,000 people will feel comfortable there."
The park is the site of arenas for skating and curling events and features the stage for the medal ceremonies.
Tickets have not yet gone on sale.
