Kent State promotes Christian
KENT, Ohio, April 2 (UPI) -- Assistant Jim Christian was promoted Tuesday to head basketball coach at Kent State, which had a surprising run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. He succeeds the departed Stan Heath who moved on to Arkansas.
Reportedly the only candidate interviewed, Christian, 37, signed as five-year contract. It is his first head coaching job.
"I am excited about this opportunity and thankful for the people who helped me get to this point," he said. "A strong program has been built here at Kent State. I will look to continue that success both in the Mid-American Conference and at the national level."
Heath took over at Arkansas after guiding Kent State to the Mid-American Conference's first-ever Elite Eight appearance. The Golden Flashes lost to eventual national runner-up Indiana.
Heath's lead assistant, Christian is the school's third coach in as many years. A year ago, Heath left his assistant post at Michigan State to take over for Gary Waters, who was hired by Rutgers.
Arizona goes for 2-0 start
By United Press International
The Arizona Diamondbacks, opening defense of their baseball championship in fine form, try to make it two in a row against the San Diego Padres Tuesday night. Ikn Monday's opener, it was Randy Johnson and a 2-0 victory. Tuesday it was Curt Schilling's turn.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee was at Houston and Florida was at Montreal in the second round of National League opening day games.
In the American League, Tampa Bay hosts Detroit in their opener. Plus, Cleveland was at Anaheim, the Chicago White Sox at Seattle and Texas at Oakland.
Beathard joins Falcons as adviser
ATLANTA, April 2 (UPI) -- Arthur Blank, the new owner of the Atlanta Falcons who has delayed choosing a general manager, has hired former GM Bobby Beathard as a senior adviser.
Beathard, 65, who retired as the San Diego Chargers general manager in 1999 after 38 years in pro football, will help Blank's search for a Falcons GM and lend as hand in draft preparations.
Beathard made trips to seven Super Bowls with Kansas City, Miami, Washington and San Diego. With him as GM and Joe Gibbs as coach, the Redskins went to three Super Bowls and won two. Gibbs bought a small share of the Falcons last month.
Blank suspended his search for a general manager last week, partly because the list of interested candidates shrank and because his search was distracting front office members with the April 20-21 draft approaching.
Daley withdraws from BellSouth
ATLANTA, April 2 (UPI) -- John Daly, described by his agent as being "worn out" from a bout with the flu, has pulled out of the BellSouth Classic that begins Thursday.
Agent John Mascatello said Daly "does not want to play unless he's prepared to play." Daly won this tournament in 1994.
Also pulling out, for unspecified reasons, were Tom Lehman, the 1996 British Open champ, and Greg Kraft.
