Sports

Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are gone from the Commanders after a 5-12 season, AP source says

A team official says coordinators Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are both gone from head coach Dan Quinn’s staff with the Washington Commanders after a 5-12 season. Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator, and Whitt, who had been in charge of the defense until being stripped of play-calling duties during the season, arrived in Washington with Quinn before the 2024 season. Quinn and Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the staff changes hadn’t been announced. Whitt was dismissed. No team in the NFL allowed opponents to gain more yards.

Cowboys fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season filled with poor showings

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have fired first-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after they allowed the most points and intercepted the fewest passes in franchise history. It’s the second consecutive season in which Eberflus has been fired. He was let go midseason in 2024, his third year as coach of the Chicago Bears. Eberflus made it to the end of the season in his return to Dallas, where he had been an assistant from 2011-17 before going to Indianapolis as defensive coordinator. But the 55-year-old’s fate appeared sealed before Sunday’s finale. Dallas’ 34-17 loss at the New York Giants set a club record as the ninth game of allowing at least 30 points.

NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigns after inflammatory texts revealed in trial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after over 20 years with the organization. His departure follows a federal trial where inflammatory texts he sent during revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed. Phelps will leave at the end of the month, ahead of the season’s start. His texts, including a derogatory comment about Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, led to backlash from supporters. Despite his contributions to NASCAR, including expanding its international presence and returning the sport during the COVID-19 shutdown, his resignation comes amid controversy. NASCAR has not announced plans to replace him immediately.

SafeSport Center turns to Olympic gold medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley as new CEO

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport announced Benita Fitzgerald Mosley as its new CEO, placing the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in charge of rebooting an agency that has been plagued with problems over most of its nearly nine-year history. Fitzgerald Mosley will start her job Feb. 1, saying in a statement provided to The Associated Press that it is “more than a job opportunity for me, it is a calling.”

Alysa Liu’s second act: Once burned out by skating, world champ now setting sights on Olympic glory

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Alysa Liu has rediscovered her passion for figure skating after stepping away from the sport. She retired unexpectedly after the 2022 Beijing Olympics at 16, feeling overwhelmed by the demands of training. Liu then attended UCLA, traveled, and expanded her social circle. A skiing trip reignited her love for skating, leading to a comeback. By January 2025, she placed second at nationals and later won the world championships. Liu continues to thrive, winning multiple titles and embracing a healthier approach to the sport. Now 20, she enjoys a balanced life, skating on her own terms, as she prepares for the U.S. championships this week.

Unrivaled’s second season provides key gathering place for WNBA players during CBA negotiations

MEDLEY, Fla. (AP) — Napheesa Collier sat on the bench at Sephora Arena laughing with her Unrivaled teammate Skylar Diggins moments before tipoff between the Lunar Owls and Rose BC. It was a tiny glimpse of what Unrivaled provided star WNBA players in Year 1: high-level competition and camaraderie while offering an arena for players to sharpen their skills ahead of the WNBA season. Unrivaled’s second season began on Monday. Now the league is providing a central gathering place for players to strategize and build solidarity as players negotiate a new collecitve bargaining agreement.

The NBA season is nearing the midway point. There are some surprises, good and bad

The Boston Celtics have surprised many by maintaining their strong performance despite major lineup changes. Jaylen Brown is the only starter remaining from last year, with Jayson Tatum out due to injury and others traded. As of Monday, the Celtics are 23-12 and second in the Eastern Conference. Coach Joe Mazzulla credits the team’s understanding and execution of their roles. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons lead the East with a 27-9 record, surprising some but not their coach, J.B. Bickerstaff. Other surprises include the Phoenix Suns’ resilience and struggles for teams like Milwaukee and Atlanta.

Season of the kicker unravels with missed field goal sending Ravens home and Steelers to playoffs

The Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly defeated the Baltimore Ravens after a dramatic ending on Sunday night. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell missed an extra point, leaving the Steelers with a slim 26-24 lead. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson then set up rookie kicker Tyler Loop for a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal. Loop missed the kick, pushing it to the right. Ravens coach John Harbaugh defended the decision to attempt the kick from that distance. The game highlighted the increasing accuracy and expectations for NFL kickers, who have been making longer field goals more frequently.

Scheffler’s bid for career slam and Koepka’s search for new home among golf topics for 2026

Scottie Scheffler goes for the career Grand Slam. Brooks Koepka is searching for a new path now that he’s no longer with Saudi-backed LIV Golf. And the annual question in golf always seems to go back to the future of Tiger Woods. These are among six pressing topics for golf going into 2026. The season is starting a week late because The Sentry at Kapalua was canceled because of water issues. It’s only fitting that on what would have been the start of the first week of the PGA Tour, Maui was under a flood watch.

Man United candidates for interim coach include Solskjaer and Carrick, AP source says

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United has approached Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick in its search for an interim coach to take over until the end of the season, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition on anonymity because the recruitment process has not been made public. United is considering a short-term replacement for Ruben Amorim who was fired on Monday with a view to a long-term appointment in the summer.