Alabama dismisses football player after arrest
Alabama dismissed defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor from the team Sunday after he was arrested on domestic violence charges in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The 6-foot-4, 335-pound Taylor, who has a history of domestic violence issues, was arrested Saturday night and charged with third-degree assault and domestic violence third-degree criminal mischief, according to the Tuscaloosa Police Department.
“This will still need to go through the legal process, but when he was given an opportunity here, it was under strict guidelines and we made it clear there was a zero-tolerance policy,” coach Nick Saban said in a statement.
Police were called to a residence near campus by a 24-year-old woman who said she was assaulted. After speaking with her and with Taylor, officers determined that there was probable cause to arrest him. The alleged victim had minor injuries to her neck and a hole was punched in a bedroom closet door at the scene.
Taylor was held on a $1,000 bond. He was subject to a mandatory 12-hour domestic violence hold.
Penguins’ Letang out with concussion
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang has been diagnosed with a concussion after taking a hard hit Saturday.
Letang, widely considered a candidate for the Norris Trophy, left the game against the Arizona Coyotes at 15:15 of the second period. After Letang released a long outlet pass deep in his end, Coyotes right winger Shane Doan hit him. Letang fell backward into the end boards.
Letang needed assistance as he left the ice and was taken to a hospital for evaluation. He was released from the hospital Sunday. It’s unclear how long he will be sidelined.
Letang has a history of concussions and suffered a stroke last year. He is third on the Penguins with 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists).
St. John’s expected to hire Mullin
Former NBA player and general manager Chris Mullin was offered the head coaching job with the St. John’s Red Storm, and he is expected to accept the offer, multiple media outlets reported Sunday.
Contract negotiations were ongoing, and ESPN.com reported that a deal could be completed as early as Sunday night. According to CBSSports.com, the school hopes to have a press conference on Tuesday or Wednesday to announce Mullin’s hiring.
Mullin would replace Steve Lavin, who was fired Friday after five years at the school.
Mullin, 51, has never been a head coach or an assistant coach, but he has front-office experience in the NBA and was a standout player at St. John’s when the Red Storm were a national power.
Texas parts ways with Barnes after 17 seasons
The Texas Longhorns and head coach Rick Barnes officially agreed to part ways Sunday after 17 seasons.
Texas reportedly informed the 60-year-old Barnes on Saturday that his tenure as basketball coach was over.
Barnes, the all-time winningest coach in program history, reached the NCAA Tournament in 16 of his 17 seasons in charge of the Longhorns.
“I leave this job with no regrets,” Barnes said in a statement. “Instead, I look back at our time here and say ‘thank you’ to all the players, coaches and staff who have worked with our program throughout the last 17 years.”
Barnes fought back tears at his 40-minute farewell news conference later Sunday in Austin, Texas.
Barnes revealed he was told by athletic director Steve Patterson that he would be back after Texas lost to Butler in the round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament.
“Some things changed,” Barnes said.
Barnes compiled an overall record of 402-180 (.691) over the 17 seasons at Texas, an average of nearly 24 victories per year.