Citizen Staff

Stoops opens some workouts to public

By JOHN MOREDICH

jmoredich@tucsoncitizen.com

University of Arizona football fans can get a glimpse of the 2004 Wildcats before the season begins with some preseason practices being open.

New coach Mike Stoops closed spring drills, with just scrimmages open to the public and the media. But UA said yesterday the first two weeks of fall camp can be watched by anyone.

Players officially report Sunday and begin practices Monday at 5:45 p.m. at the Rincon Vista Complex, near South Tucson Boulevard and East 15th Street.

“These guys (coaches) know what they are doing and may close practices at any time,” UA sports information director Tom Duddleston said last night.

The Cats begin play Sept. 4 at home against Northern Arizona.

Practices Monday through Thursday next week begin with stretching at 5:45 p.m. and practice ending about 8:15 p.m.

The team practices Aug. 13 in full pads with a 6 p.m. workout. Two-a-day drills begin the next day at a site to be determined with a 9:05 a.m. workout and a 6:45 p.m. scrimmage. Those practices may be closed.

UA has two-a-day workouts Aug. 18 and Aug. 20 at 8 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. Single practices Aug. 17 and Aug. 19 begin at 6 p.m.

Fan Appreciation Night at Arizona Stadium is Aug. 21 at 5 p.m., with a scrimmage following at 6:30.

Practices starting Aug. 23 are scheduled to be closed. All practice times are subject to change.

KEY DATES

• Sunday: Players report.

• Monday: Workouts begin at 5:45 p.m. on East 15th Street, west of Tucson Boulevard.

• Aug. 21: Fan Appreciation Night, 5 p.m., Arizona Stadium.

• Aug. 26: Kickoff luncheon, noon, Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way, $35.

• Sept. 4: Season opener vs. NAU, 7 p.m., Arizona Stadium.

Citizen Staff

Ex-Sahuaro coach appeals for job

By A.J. FLICK

ajflick@tucsoncitizen.com

Former Sahuaro High School baseball coach Mark Tselentis wants a judge to order the Tucson Unified School District to reinstate him.

Tselentis, through attorney Dan Cooper, filed an appeal in Pima County Superior Court after TUSD failed to respond to a claim filed in May.

TUSD is asking the court to dismiss the appeal.

The district fired Tselentis as Sahuaro baseball coach and Tucson Magnet High School assistant volleyball coach following allegations that baseball players and coaches misbehaved on an April 2003 trip to Las Vegas. He remains a physical education teacher at Sahuaro.

“My client is devastated,” Cooper wrote in a letter to TUSD. “He loves coaching. He loves kids.”

The Associated Press

New coach Green has predicted a 10-6 record and a spot in the playoffs.

The Associated Press

TEMPE – The Dennis Green era in Arizona begins in earnest Monday, when the new Cardinals coach puts his team through its first training camp practice.

Expectations are high mainly because of Green’s prediction of a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. But questions surround key players and the issue of whether the former Minnesota Vikings coach can work his magic with a franchise known for losing.

None of it bothers Green, who bridled this week at questions about the youth of quarterback Josh McCown, the wear and tear on 35-year-old running back Emmitt Smith and the need to strengthen last year’s 26th-ranked defense.

“I don’t think that we have less talent than most people,” Green said. “I feel very strongly that we had 10 really good guys to start building this program on. I wouldn’t tell you who those 10 guys are, but they’re probably going to be totally different than who you think they are. And I think we built a lot of guys on top of those 10 original guys.”

The team reports to the Northern Arizona University campus tomorrow, later than most NFL teams but in keeping with Green’s desire for intense practices in which quick learners will shine.

“We will probably be one of the last teams starting training camp, which puts us in a situation where we understand and need tempo – to move fast, so you get a lot done in a short period of time.”

The annual Red-White Scrimmage will take place Friday, followed the next day by a mock game without pads but using the 40-second clock, uniformed officials and substitutions.

The second week, the team will have a walkthrough Aug. 13 and then leave for its Aug. 14 exhibition opener against the Vikings at the Metrodome. The Cardinals will break camp in Flagstaff on Aug. 19, two days before meeting the San Diego Chargers in Tempe, and open an unprecedented, five-day session at Ken Lindley Field in Prescott on Aug. 23.

They host Oakland on Aug. 28 and complete the preseason at Denver on Sept. 2.

The Cardinals forfeited their last week of summer workouts when the NFL Management Council and the players’ union upheld complaints that there was too much contact during the voluntary sessions.

Green knows there are no such restrictions at training camp, but he has no plan to burn up players with lots of hitting.

“We do not wear pads most of the time, and so when you watch in training camp you’ll see it’s very similar to what you saw at team organized workouts – you don’t tackle, you don’t hit or anything like that,” he said. “You use your legs, and you work hard.”

Key injuries sent last year’s team into a seven-game skid and an eventual 4-12 record – Arizona’s fifth consecutive losing record – and led to the firing of coach Dave McGinnis.

Green, who coached the Vikings into eight postseason berths in 10 years, said keeping players healthy is a primary concern.

McCown began 2003 as Jeff Blake’s backup, but started seven games – the last three straight. In those three, he completed 60 percent of his passes, and Green wasted little time anointing him as the quarterback of the future.

Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, went the opposite route: He had 192 yards on 65 carries before breaking his shoulder blade in the fifth game.

When Green used the early end to summer workouts to announce the starting lineups for camp, Smith was back on the first team.

Former first-round picks L.J. Shelton and Calvin Pace, starters at left tackle and right defensive end last year, will have to battle their way back.

Green and his staff moved right guard Leonard Davis to left tackle in their major offensive-line move, and free-agent acquisition Bertrand Berry will get his chance at defensive end to bolster the Cardinals pass rush.

The Arizona Republic

Ex-ASU hoops coach dies

By BOB YOUNG

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – Former Arizona State basketball coach Steve Patterson died yesterday at his Phoenix home after a battle with lung cancer. He was 56.

Patterson, a former UCLA standout who played on three national championship teams and bridged the gap between the careers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, spent almost four seasons at ASU’s helm.

He resigned during the 1988-89 season with a 48-56 record. He later served as chairman of the Phoenix area’s Super Bowl XXX Committee and as commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association.

In recent years, Patterson had focused on youth and community sports programs through his company, Patterson Sports Ventures. He worked with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, the Arizona Interscholastic Association and Tempe Sports Authority.

“We so appreciate all of the kindnesses extended to Steve, me and the family during this time of struggle,” his wife, Carlette, said in a brief statement posted on his Web page, stevepatterson.net.

In addition to his wife, Patterson is survived by his children John, Brent, Amanda, Sara and Makena; his mother, Jean Patterson; two brothers, Bob and Tim, and their families.

A visitation is planned from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Monday at Valley Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to TheGoal.com, care of Dave Hood, Pro Athletes Outreach, P.O. Box 1044, Issaquah, WA 98027.

The Arizona Republic

Ex-ASU hoops coach dies

By BOB YOUNG

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – Former Arizona State basketball coach Steve Patterson died yesterday at his Phoenix home after a battle with lung cancer. He was 56.

Patterson, a former UCLA standout who played on three national championship teams and bridged the gap between the careers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton, spent almost four seasons at ASU’s helm.

He resigned during the 1988-89 season with a 48-56 record. He later served as chairman of the Phoenix area’s Super Bowl XXX Committee and as commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association.

In recent years, Patterson had focused on youth and community sports programs through his company, Patterson Sports Ventures. He worked with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, the Arizona Interscholastic Association and Tempe Sports Authority.

“We so appreciate all of the kindnesses extended to Steve, me and the family during this time of struggle,” his wife, Carlette, said in a brief statement posted on his Web page, stevepatterson.net.

In addition to his wife, Patterson is survived by his children John, Brent, Amanda, Sara and Makena; his mother, Jean Patterson; two brothers, Bob and Tim, and their families.

A visitation is planned from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Monday at Valley Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to TheGoal.com, care of Dave Hood, Pro Athletes Outreach, P.O. Box 1044, Issaquah, WA 98027.

The Arizona Republic

Fitzsimmons’ health continues to worsen

By NORM FRAUENHEIM

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – The health of former Phoenix Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons has taken a turn for the worse, according to team officials close to him.

Fitzsimmons, 72, has been a patient at an undisclosed Phoenix-area care center since suffering a stroke within the last couple of weeks.

A malignant tumor was found on Fitzsimmons’ lung, near his heart, on April 7 when he saw a throat specialist because of a persistent cough.

Fitzsimmons, who had been doing color commentary on Suns telecasts, also has suffered from circulatory problems. He has been undergoing radiation and taking blood-thinning medication.

A blood clot below his left knee in February forced him to quit traveling with the Suns, because flying aggravated the problem.

Fitzsimmons coached the Suns three times. He arrived in Phoenix for the first time in 1970 and became the third coach for a franchise that was beginning only its third season. He succeeded longtime and current Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who had finished the prior season as the interim coach.

Through two decades as an NBA coach, he was 832-775, among the all-time top 10 in NBA victories. He was voted NBA coach of the year twice, 1979 in Kansas City and 1989 with the Suns.

Elsewhere

LAKERS: Vlade Divac has reached a deal to rejoin Los Angeles, leaving Sacramento after six seasons, an NBA source told The Associated Press.

Earlier yesterday in Belgrade, Serbia-Montenegro, Divac said he was leaving the Kings.

“It was a great six years in Sacramento,” he said. “I’m sad that I’m leaving, but the Kings did not show any interest to keep me.”

The Lakers drafted Divac in 1989, and he spent seven years in Los Angeles until the team traded him to Charlotte for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant.

HORNETS: New Orleans signed frontcourt reserve Chris Andersen to a two-year contract.

Andersen, who has played primarily power forward and some at center, has averaged 4.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.31 blocks in his three years in the NBA, all with Denver.

BOBCATS: Rapper Nelly is a part-owner of the NBA’s expansion Charlotte Bobcats.

“This is a great opportunity for both the Bobcats and Nelly,” Robert L. Johnson, the team’s majority owner and the founder of Black Entertainment Television, said yesterday in a news release.

“Nelly is a great entertainer and a smart businessman and those two traits will serve us well as we prepare to tipoff our inaugural season this fall.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Arizona Republic

Fitzsimmons’ health continues to worsen

By NORM FRAUENHEIM

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX – The health of former Phoenix Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons has taken a turn for the worse, according to team officials close to him.

Fitzsimmons, 72, has been a patient at an undisclosed Phoenix-area care center since suffering a stroke within the last couple of weeks.

A malignant tumor was found on Fitzsimmons’ lung, near his heart, on April 7 when he saw a throat specialist because of a persistent cough.

Fitzsimmons, who had been doing color commentary on Suns telecasts, also has suffered from circulatory problems. He has been undergoing radiation and taking blood-thinning medication.

A blood clot below his left knee in February forced him to quit traveling with the Suns, because flying aggravated the problem.

Fitzsimmons coached the Suns three times. He arrived in Phoenix for the first time in 1970 and became the third coach for a franchise that was beginning only its third season. He succeeded longtime and current Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo, who had finished the prior season as the interim coach.

Through two decades as an NBA coach, he was 832-775, among the all-time top 10 in NBA victories. He was voted NBA coach of the year twice, 1979 in Kansas City and 1989 with the Suns.

Elsewhere

LAKERS: Vlade Divac has reached a deal to rejoin Los Angeles, leaving Sacramento after six seasons, an NBA source told The Associated Press.

Earlier yesterday in Belgrade, Serbia-Montenegro, Divac said he was leaving the Kings.

“It was a great six years in Sacramento,” he said. “I’m sad that I’m leaving, but the Kings did not show any interest to keep me.”

The Lakers drafted Divac in 1989, and he spent seven years in Los Angeles until the team traded him to Charlotte for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant.

HORNETS: New Orleans signed frontcourt reserve Chris Andersen to a two-year contract.

Andersen, who has played primarily power forward and some at center, has averaged 4.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.31 blocks in his three years in the NBA, all with Denver.

BOBCATS: Rapper Nelly is a part-owner of the NBA’s expansion Charlotte Bobcats.

“This is a great opportunity for both the Bobcats and Nelly,” Robert L. Johnson, the team’s majority owner and the founder of Black Entertainment Television, said yesterday in a news release.

“Nelly is a great entertainer and a smart businessman and those two traits will serve us well as we prepare to tipoff our inaugural season this fall.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Citizen Staff

The man is freed from prison into the arms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

By LUKE TURF

lturf@tucsoncitizen.com

Darren Kerry came to the United States from the United Kingdom and got a job coaching girls soccer in Oro Valley.

Then in December, Kerry, 30, was convicted of molesting a 15-year-old girl.

Yesterday he was released from prison into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who will see that the Briton leaves the United States, said Chuck Vesely, a special agent with ICE in Tucson.

Kerry is one of 46 people arrested on suspicion of sex crimes in the past year in Tucson who were caught during ICE’s Operation Predator, aimed at stopping noncitizen criminals who prey on children sexually, said Lisa Fairchild, a supervisory agent with ICE.

Most of those snared are foreigners – some Americans are caught during the investigations – and the agency is working to make sure they stay off U.S. streets, Fairchild said.

“Everywhere you turn, these people are, or that’s as it seems when you’re investigating it, and we’re getting really good at investigating it,” Fairchild said.

Many noncitizen sexual offenders escaped notice before the federal government started taking a larger role in their releases a year ago.

Now ICE checks a list of sex offenders against a list of noncitizens living in the country to make sure people such as Kerry return home.

One year into Operation Predator, more than half of the 3,200-plus arrests nationwide involved noncitizens. In Arizona, 162 were arrested.

“If you’re exploiting a child, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or not, we’re going to get you,” Fairchild said.

When the government merged two agencies into ICE with the creation of the Homeland Security Department after 9/11, it put one agency in charge of monitoring noncitizen sex offenders and dealing with Internet child porn and sexual exploitation of minors overseas.

Citizen Staff

The man is freed from prison into the arms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

By LUKE TURF

lturf@tucsoncitizen.com

Darren Kerry came to the United States from the United Kingdom and got a job coaching girls soccer in Oro Valley.

Then in December, Kerry, 30, was convicted of molesting a 15-year-old girl.

Yesterday he was released from prison into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who will see that the Briton leaves the United States, said Chuck Vesely, a special agent with ICE in Tucson.

Kerry is one of 46 people arrested on suspicion of sex crimes in the past year in Tucson who were caught during ICE’s Operation Predator, aimed at stopping noncitizen criminals who prey on children sexually, said Lisa Fairchild, a supervisory agent with ICE.

Most of those snared are foreigners – some Americans are caught during the investigations – and the agency is working to make sure they stay off U.S. streets, Fairchild said.

“Everywhere you turn, these people are, or that’s as it seems when you’re investigating it, and we’re getting really good at investigating it,” Fairchild said.

Many noncitizen sexual offenders escaped notice before the federal government started taking a larger role in their releases a year ago.

Now ICE checks a list of sex offenders against a list of noncitizens living in the country to make sure people such as Kerry return home.

One year into Operation Predator, more than half of the 3,200-plus arrests nationwide involved noncitizens. In Arizona, 162 were arrested.

“If you’re exploiting a child, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or not, we’re going to get you,” Fairchild said.

When the government merged two agencies into ICE with the creation of the Homeland Security Department after 9/11, it put one agency in charge of monitoring noncitizen sex offenders and dealing with Internet child porn and sexual exploitation of minors overseas.

Citizen Staff
Corky Simpson COLUMN

Give an ‘A’ to ‘Coach K’ for rejecting L.A.

Corky Simpson

Citizen Sports Columnist

Duke University, its distinguished gownsmen and honored jump shooters can breathe again.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski will continue to operate the basketball program and advise the school president, rather than move to Los Angeles.

He turned down the Lakers, who offered him Malibu, Space Mountain, $40 million spending money and the opportunity to rehabilitate Kobe Bryant.

Krzyzewski is a smart man.

He may look like a person trying to swallow his own nose sometimes, when basketball officials fail to follow his instructions.

The entire free world feels Mike’s pain when an opponent comes within 25 points of his Blue Devils.

Naturally, we share his distress at losing undergrads to the NBA, same as the hoi polloi of college basketball.

And that rumbling sound awakening “Coach K” at night are the sneakers – the giant, powder blue sneakers – of Roy Williams and the hated enemy, North Carolina, closing in on the Duke dynasty. That’s something Krzyzewski and the Dookies had better get used to.

Just the same, Mike made the right decision in staying in Durham, N.C. And all kidding aside, everyone who loves the college game has reason to celebrate, even breathe easier.

“You have to follow your heart,” Krzyzewski said. Amen, Mike.

Coach K has won three national championships at Duke. The Blue Devils defeated Arizona in the 2001 NCAA finals.

The NBA has beaten up on the NCAA in recent years, taking not only the best college players – freshmen, sophomores and juniors included – but snatching the best high school talent. It’s good to see one of the best coaches in history say no to pro basketball.

According to USA Today, even Bryant tried to recruit Krzyzewski to coach the Lakers.

Trouble is, nobody coaches in the NBA. Those who hold the title are paid to keep players out of jail and persuade them to show up on time for games. Doing both is almost impossible and, therefore, very stressful. You’ve got to love money more than coaching to put up with the blockheads of professional basketball (and in L.A., annoying Hollywood groupies).

But Coach K will stay on the sidelines at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and that’s a victory for college basketball. Even Tar Heel fans are happy about it. They are glad Krzyzewski stayed at Duke because (a) they are convinced Roy Williams will overtake him very soon, and (b) they want Coach K sitting there at courtside when Carolina topples his empire.

Happiest of all are the TV analysts who have made careers out of shamelessly promoting Krzyzewski and the Blue Devil program.

Citizen Staff
Corky Simpson COLUMN

Give an ‘A’ to ‘Coach K’ for rejecting L.A.

Corky Simpson

Citizen Sports Columnist

Duke University, its distinguished gownsmen and honored jump shooters can breathe again.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski will continue to operate the basketball program and advise the school president, rather than move to Los Angeles.

He turned down the Lakers, who offered him Malibu, Space Mountain, $40 million spending money and the opportunity to rehabilitate Kobe Bryant.

Krzyzewski is a smart man.

He may look like a person trying to swallow his own nose sometimes, when basketball officials fail to follow his instructions.

The entire free world feels Mike’s pain when an opponent comes within 25 points of his Blue Devils.

Naturally, we share his distress at losing undergrads to the NBA, same as the hoi polloi of college basketball.

And that rumbling sound awakening “Coach K” at night are the sneakers – the giant, powder blue sneakers – of Roy Williams and the hated enemy, North Carolina, closing in on the Duke dynasty. That’s something Krzyzewski and the Dookies had better get used to.

Just the same, Mike made the right decision in staying in Durham, N.C. And all kidding aside, everyone who loves the college game has reason to celebrate, even breathe easier.

“You have to follow your heart,” Krzyzewski said. Amen, Mike.

Coach K has won three national championships at Duke. The Blue Devils defeated Arizona in the 2001 NCAA finals.

The NBA has beaten up on the NCAA in recent years, taking not only the best college players – freshmen, sophomores and juniors included – but snatching the best high school talent. It’s good to see one of the best coaches in history say no to pro basketball.

According to USA Today, even Bryant tried to recruit Krzyzewski to coach the Lakers.

Trouble is, nobody coaches in the NBA. Those who hold the title are paid to keep players out of jail and persuade them to show up on time for games. Doing both is almost impossible and, therefore, very stressful. You’ve got to love money more than coaching to put up with the blockheads of professional basketball (and in L.A., annoying Hollywood groupies).

But Coach K will stay on the sidelines at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and that’s a victory for college basketball. Even Tar Heel fans are happy about it. They are glad Krzyzewski stayed at Duke because (a) they are convinced Roy Williams will overtake him very soon, and (b) they want Coach K sitting there at courtside when Carolina topples his empire.

Happiest of all are the TV analysts who have made careers out of shamelessly promoting Krzyzewski and the Blue Devil program.

Citizen Staff

By JOHN MOREDICH

jmoredich@tucsoncitizen.com

OMAHA, Neb. – No. No. No.

University of Arizona baseball coach Andy Lopez is not leaving UA for his alma mater UCLA. He has said the same thing on many occasions since Bruins coach Gary Adams said two years ago he would retire after the 2004 season.

“I would be nuts if I left,” Lopez said. “People would ask me why did you work so hard to get this going here and then leave. We like it here. My family and I like it here.

“I think anybody would be a fool if they said Arizona didn’t have something going over there. There are a lot of young guys who fared pretty well for the first time at the College World Series.”

UA was eliminated from the CWS 3-1 by Georgia yesterday.

The rumors increased the past two weeks that Lopez was the potential hire because UCLA had not yet not named a coach, despite the Bruins being eliminated in regional play.

Lopez, who played shortstop at UCLA, was always considered the leading candidate because of his strong friendship with Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero.

The rumors persisted, even though Arizona put in Lopez’s contract a year ago that he could not leave to coach for another Pacific-10 Conference school.

Citizen Staff

Former aide to Dick Tomey and Steve Axman takes over from Anthony Coronado.

By DAVE PETRUSKA

dpetrusk@tucsoncitizen.com

Willie Dudley has played for or coached with five top Arizona football coaches.

He hopes to pass on what he has learned as the new head coach at Marana High School.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Dudley said. “We’ve got a lot of rebuilding to do here, but I think we can do it. We just need to get more players out for the team. The kids we have right now are really working hard.”

Dudley replaces Anthony Coronado, who resigned in March after going 14-37 in five seasons. Marana was 1-9 in 2003.

Dudley, 48, played football for and coached one season with Karl Kiefer at Tempe McClintock High School.

He later coached with Mesa Mountain View’s Jesse Parker, the University of Arizona’s Dick Tomey, Northern Arizona’s Steve Axman and Pima Community College’s Jeff Scurran.

This will be his second head coaching job. He was 5-5 in one season at Tempe Marcos de Niza.

“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with so many good coaches,” Dudley said. “I’ve learned so much from them.”

The Associated Press

Ex-Clippers’ coach joins Suns’ staff

The Associated Press

Alvin Gentry, a former head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, has joined the Phoenix Suns’ assistant coaching staff.

“I am happy to have him join us and have him be a part of this coaching staff,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He can bring a lot to the staff.”

Gentry was the head coach of the Clippers from 2000 to 2003. He also did two brief head coaching stints for Detroit and Miami.

Most recently, Gentry was an assistant coach with the New Orleans Hornets.

Irish change opener

Notre Dame changed its schedule and will now open the season at BYU on Sept. 4, giving the Fighting Irish a game before they play Michigan.

Notre Dame didn’t want to open its season against Michigan on Sept. 11, especially with the Wolverines having already played a game. Michigan opens the season against Miami of Ohio on Sept. 4.

Six schools, including USC and Stanford, changed schedules to accommodate the change, initiated by ESPN. Notre Dame agreed to play home games this decade against San Diego State and Nevada to accommodate changes made by those two schools.

Texas pitchers back

Texas, the overall No. 1 seed for the NCAA baseball tournament, reinstated pitchers Justin Simmons and J. Brent Cox yesterday, a week after they were arrested on public intoxication charges during the Big 12 tournament.

They will be allowed to play in Friday’s opening-round game against Youngstown State, coach Augie Garrido said in a statement.

Fox new Nevada coach

Mark Fox was hired as Nevada’s basketball coach after working four years as an assistant under Trent Johnson.

Johnson, who led Nevada to a 25-9 season and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 16, resigned a week ago to coach Stanford.

Fox, who was Johnson’s choice to succeed him, met with athletic director Cary Groth on Sunday after returning from a vacation.

“The program has been a great source of pride for our community, and it’s my privilege to take the reins,” Fox said at a campus news conference yesterday. “All I ever wanted to do was to coach college basketball.”

Fox has been a Division I assistant for 11 years at Nevada, Kansas State and Washington.

He also was endorsed by former Wolf Pack coaches Sonny Allen, Len Stevens and Pat Foster.

It’s Taurasi again

Diana Taurasi had solid all-around game to lead a balanced offense and the Phoenix Mercury set a franchise record with 11 3-pointers, beating the Houston Comets 73-63 last night.

Penny Taylor, Anna DeForge and Shereka Wright scored 16 points apiece for the Mercury (3-1), who have won three straight.

Taurasi had 13 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Citizen Staff

UA’s new football assistant wants to escape from his father’s shadow.

By JOHN MOREDICH

jmoredich@tucsoncitizen.com

Don’t expect new University of Arizona football tight end coach Steve Spurrier Jr. to jump ship and leave if his famous father gets a head coaching job again any time soon.

The son of Steve Spurrier, the former coach at Florida and the Washington Redskins, said he is trying to make a name for himself.

He gets that opportunity with the Wildcats after officially being named a new assistant on Monday and then meeting with a large contingent of the media yesterday.

“Sometimes you get stuck with the impression that he is the only guy you can coach for,” Spurrier Jr. said. “Honestly, I would like to avoid that. The years that I have worked with him are great. I have learned a lot. I enjoyed working with him and coaching with him. Professionally it is almost better if I didn’t coach for him.”

He was with his father at Florida from 1994-98 before rejoining him with the Washington Redskins from 2002-03.

The son was not actively looking for a job. He was preparing to finish work on an MBA after his father unexpectedly quit the Redskins.

“I talked to a lot of people in the offseason. The majority of the people told me, ‘I think your father is going to coach next year and you will go with him,’ ” Spurrier Jr. said. “It was frustrating and tough for a little while. I was going to wait until December to see what happens.”

The younger Spurrier served as an offensive graduate assistant for three years, was a video assistant for another and a special teams/offensive coach his final year at Florida.

Spurrier Jr. was wide receivers coach with the Redskins.

In between his years with his father, he was wide receivers coach at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops, the older brother of UA coach Mike Stoops.

Rumors had Spurrier Jr. and Mike Stoops hooking up in December, but reports were premature until a couple of weeks ago, when the two agreed unofficially to join ranks.

“People kept telling me that,” Spurrier Jr. said of the rumors. “I was not sure really why. There were a lot of rumors swirling around. We really never talked much about that.”

After Spurrier Jr.’s name surfaced, buzz started about two of the bigger names in coaching joining ranks.

The 33-year tight end coach was the center of attention yesterday with his own press conference, something not necessary with the rest of Stoops’ hires.

“There is a lot of excitement for a tight end coach,” Spurrier Jr. said, joking. “I thought there would be one or two people asking questions.

“The name brings a lot of attention and people are curious about my name more than they are who the new tight end coach is here.”

Expect Spurrier Sr. to watch closely as UA rebuilds its program.

Spurrier Jr. was told to find a place with room because the father will come here for a few games.

“He has a little time to kill,” the son said.

Spurrier Jr., raised under a huge football emphasis, brings with him two national championships: Florida in 1996 and Oklahoma in 2000.

The former walk-on receiver at Duke, who eventually started two seasons, admits a little adjustment is needed with him working with wide receivers and now tight ends.

“There will be some things with the offensive line and protections, things in the trenches that will be different for me. I will be prepared. I feel qualified to work with those guys.”

PHOTO CAPTION: XAVIER GALLEGOS/Tucson Citizen

UA’s tight end coach Steve Spurrier Jr. speaks to the media during a press conference yesterday.