Lane Kiffin, who recently became the head coach for the LSU Tigers, and Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding are both hiring staff from each other's former teams. Ole Miss has announced the hiring of Jai Choudhary and Jake Sugarman, who previously worked with LSU, as part of their coaching staff for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
Lane Kiffin became head coach of the LSU Tigers on November 30.
Kiffin and Golding are both hiring staff from each other's former teams, LSU and Ole Miss.
Ole Miss hired Jai Choudhary, who worked at LSU in 2025, as director of player personnel.
Ole Miss also hired Jake Sugarman, who worked at LSU in 2024, as their new scouting director.
Other former LSU staff now at Ole Miss include Austin Thomas and Kevin Bolden.
Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding took on the role as head coach on November 30.
Golding plans to build a strong team, aiming for high recruitment and competitive play.
In NFL's Week 17, the San Francisco 49ers won against the Chicago Bears, and a key match between the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles highlighted some offensive weaknesses in both teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers missed a chance to secure a playoff spot after a loss to the Cleveland Browns, leading to a crucial final game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Key Facts
The 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears in a thrilling game.
The Buffalo Bills lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, showcasing issues in their offensive play.
Josh Allen, Bills' quarterback, lost a crucial fumble and missed a late-game pass.
The Eagles won despite not completing a second-half pass, a rare occurrence since 1987.
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns and now face the Ravens in a decisive game.
Sam Darnold helped Seattle move closer to securing the NFC top seed.
The Steelers' failure to win means they must beat the Ravens to enter the playoffs.
Manchester United has signed German football player Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Schuller will play with the team until June 2029, adding significant experience to the club. She has had a successful career, scoring 54 goals for Germany and winning multiple titles with Bayern Munich.
Key Facts
Lea Schuller is a German international football player.
She joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich.
Her contract with Manchester United lasts until June 2029.
Schuller played over 100 matches for Bayern and helped them win four league titles.
She scored 54 goals in 82 games for the German national team.
Schuller was part of Germany's team that won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.
Manchester United sees Schuller's experience as a valuable addition to their team.
The club is actively strengthening its squad for the Women's Champions League.
The Alabama Crimson Tide, a college football team, is preparing for an important game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl. They are also trying to recruit a top-ranked player, Cam Coleman, from Auburn, who entered the transfer portal. Coleman is highly rated and expected to boost Alabama's team strength if he joins.
Key Facts
Alabama is set to play against Indiana in the Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Alabama aims to strengthen its program after falling behind its rival, Georgia, in recent years.
Cam Coleman, a top-ranked wide receiver, announced he is leaving Auburn and is No. 1 on the transfer portal.
Coleman is a highly regarded player with strong performance stats from the 2025 season: 56 receptions, 708 yards, and five touchdowns.
Alabama has already beaten Auburn this year in the Iron Bowl, a significant rivalry game.
Red Morgan, a player for Alabama and Coleman's former high school teammate, is trying to recruit Coleman to Alabama.
The transfer portal opens on January 2, 2026, allowing players to officially switch teams.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Tanner Scott, a reliever, for $72 million, but his performance dropped significantly compared to the previous year. Despite the disappointing season and injuries affecting his play, the Dodgers remain hopeful that Scott will improve next year. They also signed Edwin Díaz to strengthen the bullpen, expecting Scott's performance to rebound.
Key Facts
The Dodgers signed Tanner Scott to a four-year contract worth $72 million.
Scott was an All-Star in 2024 with a 1.75 ERA but had a 4.74 ERA in the following season.
Injuries affected Scott's performance during the season.
The Dodgers also signed Edwin Díaz for three years at $69 million to bolster their bullpen.
The team is optimistic Scott will perform better in the upcoming season.
Manager Dave Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes suggested Scott was injured longer than it seemed.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are thinking about trading Ketel Marte, their second baseman, to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitcher Logan Gilbert. The Mariners need a replacement for Jorge Polanco, who left during free agency. The trade would help both teams with their needs.
Key Facts
The Diamondbacks might trade their second baseman, Ketel Marte.
The Seattle Mariners are interested in Marte as a replacement for their former player, Jorge Polanco.
Trading Marte would help the Mariners improve their team and possibly reach the World Series.
Logan Gilbert, a pitcher from the Mariners, is a suggested trade option for Marte.
The Diamondbacks need to strengthen their pitching staff and see Gilbert as a valuable addition.
Seattle feels confident in its other young pitchers, which allows them to consider trading Gilbert.
Both teams think the trade could help them improve in key areas.
The Boston Red Sox are looking to improve their pitching squad in the offseason and have brought in Sonny Gray. However, they might lose pitcher Lucas Giolito to free agency, as he is predicted to join the San Francisco Giants. Giolito had a solid performance last year, and his addition could strengthen the Giants' pitching lineup.
Key Facts
The Red Sox are focused on enhancing their pitching team.
They recently traded for pitcher Sonny Gray.
Lucas Giolito is a veteran pitcher for the Red Sox who could become a free agent.
Sports analyst Paul Connor predicts Giolito will sign with the San Francisco Giants.
Giolito had a 3.41 ERA (Earned Run Average) last season over 145 innings.
He has a history of elbow surgery but performed well last year.
The Giants need more pitching depth to compete with stronger teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Philadelphia Phillies have key players entering free agency, including Ranger Suárez and JT Realmuto. Sports predictions suggest that Realmuto, a top catcher, might leave the Phillies to join the San Diego Padres for a contract worth $34 million. This move could enhance the Padres' competitiveness in the National League West.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Phillies faced the offseason with three players entering free agency.
Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies.
Ranger Suárez and JT Realmuto remained free agents as of Monday.
Predictions suggest Realmuto may sign a $34 million contract with the San Diego Padres.
Realmuto is recognized as the best catcher currently available in free agency.
The San Diego Padres need a strong catcher to compete better in their league.
Signing Realmuto could help the Padres become more competitive with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Rams and Falcons match up for the final Monday Night Football game of the regular season. Blake Corum of the Rams is a key player to watch, especially for those interested in betting on player performances. Corum has been averaging over 10 carries per game recently and is expected to continue his strong performance against the Falcons.
Key Facts
The Rams have an 11-4 record, while the Falcons are 8-9.
The game is the last Monday Night Football matchup of the regular season.
Oddsmakers consider the Falcons underdogs by 7 to 7.5 points.
Blake Corum is a significant player in the Rams' backfield, often getting more than 10 carries per game.
Corum has had a successful last four weeks, averaging 7.45 yards per carry on 44 carries.
The Falcons have a weak run defense, allowing 4.6 yards per rush attempt this season.
The Rams have won 8 out of their last 10 games, with six victories by at least 14 points.
Bettors are particularly interested in prop bets related to Corum’s performance in this game.
The Baltimore Ravens will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial game that will determine which team advances to the playoffs. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson may not play due to a back injury, and coach John Harbaugh has provided limited updates on his return. The game is important for both teams, as the winner takes the AFC North division title.
Key Facts
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will compete for the AFC North division title.
The match is part of the Week 18 Sunday Night Football schedule.
The winner of the game goes to the playoffs, while the loser is eliminated.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed the previous game due to a back injury.
Derrick Henry led the Ravens to victory against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh gave an uncertain update on Jackson's playing status.
Jackson has played 12 games this season with significant passing and rushing contributions.
More information on Jackson's availability is expected later in the week.
Ranger Suárez, a longtime Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, is uncertain about where he will sign next as a free agent. The Chicago Cubs are a possible team that might sign him, given their need for better starting pitchers and their capability to offer him a longer contract.
Key Facts
Ranger Suárez is a free-agent pitcher from the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Baltimore Orioles were initially interested in Suárez, but recent trades might change that.
The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are potential teams that might sign Suárez.
The Cubs have a bigger need for Suárez compared to the Astros based on recent pitching performance rankings.
The Cubs could potentially offer Suárez a five-year contract to enhance their team strength.
The Astros already have a high payroll and several players on long-term contracts.
Spring training camps are set to open in about a month and a half, adding urgency to Suárez's decision.
The Toronto Blue Jays might lose their key player, Bo Bichette, in free agency, but they have a promising prospect named Cutter Coffey. Coffey, who was traded from the Boston Red Sox, has been performing well and could potentially become a star player in the future.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays may lose Bo Bichette, their main shortstop, to free agency.
Bichette could join teams like the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees.
The Blue Jays have several talented infielders and prospects.
Cutter Coffey is a promising infield prospect for the Blue Jays.
Coffey was acquired from the Red Sox in a trade involving catcher Danny Jansen.
He performed well in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .328 over 18 games.
Coffey might advance to Double-A soon and is seen as a potential future star.
The New York Mets are considering making a trade to improve their outfield. They have lost some key players in free agency and are looking into options like trading for Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox to strengthen their roster.
Key Facts
The New York Mets missed the postseason last year and want to strengthen their team for the next season.
The Mets have lost players Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in free agency.
Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox is a potential trade target to improve the Mets' outfield.
Tyrone Taylor and Carson Benge are currently top candidates for the Mets' outfield alongside Juan Soto.
If other options like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger are not available, the Mets may focus on a trade for Robert.
Luis Robert Jr. has shown star quality but has struggled in recent seasons.
The trade would be considered an "upside play," meaning high potential for reward if successful.
West Ham United is supporting their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, as they prepare to buy new players in the January transfer window. The team is currently struggling in the Premier League, sitting near the bottom of the standings and facing potential relegation. Despite recent losses, club officials believe Nuno can improve the team's performance with new signings.
Key Facts
Nuno Espirito Santo became West Ham's manager on September 25.
West Ham is currently third from the bottom in the Premier League standings.
The club plans to provide funds for new player signings in January to help improve results.
West Ham has suffered three losses in a row, affecting their league position.
Nuno's team has only managed one clean sheet this Premier League season, meaning they have only kept opponents from scoring once.
West Ham's current points per game average under Nuno is 0.77.
Only Burnley and Wolves have collected fewer points than West Ham since Nuno took over.
West Ham has won only 13 points from 18 games this season, similar to the 2010-11 season when they finished bottom of the league.
The Baltimore Orioles have re-signed pitcher Zach Eflin on a one-year, $10 million contract. To make room for Eflin on their roster, the Orioles designated outfielder Will Robertson for assignment, meaning he may join another team or move to a lower-level team. Robertson has struggled to secure a spot in the major leagues, having been claimed by multiple teams without playing a game for them.
Key Facts
The Orioles re-signed Zach Eflin with a one-year contract worth $10 million.
To accommodate Eflin, the Orioles designated Will Robertson for assignment.
Robertson was previously claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Robertson has also been on waivers with the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.
He hasn't yet hit a major league home run and has a .316 OPS over 27 games.
Robertson turned 28 two days before being designated for assignment.
The Orioles have recently strengthened their outfield with other players, making it difficult for Robertson to secure a spot.
The Chicago Cubs are preparing for the upcoming season by strengthening their bullpen. They are considering internal talent, particularly Porter Hodge, who had a successful season last year but faced challenges this year. Manager Craig Counsell and other team leaders believe Hodge can be a key player if he returns to form.
Key Facts
The Cubs have added several new pitchers to their bullpen during the offseason.
Porter Hodge was a breakout star for the Cubs last season with a strong performance.
This year, Hodge struggled with an ERA of 6.27 and faced demotion to Triple-A.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell sees Hodge's improvement as critical to the team's success.
General manager Carter Hawkins compared Hodge to another successful Cubs reliever, Daniel Palencia.
Last year, Hodge had a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings and served as a closer late in the season.
The Cubs' playoff success may partly depend on Hodge's ability to return to his previous form.
The article talks about a sports betting promotion from theScore Bet using the promo code NEWSWEEK. New users who bet $10 on a sports game, like the Rams-Falcons match, can receive a $100 bonus if their initial bet wins. The article also lists different betting options and additional in-app promotions available.
Key Facts
theScore Bet offers a $100 bonus to new users with the promo code NEWSWEEK.
Users must place an initial bet of $10, and the bet must win to get the bonus.
The Rams-Falcons game is suggested as an option for placing bets.
Other betting markets include spreads and player performances, such as passing and receiving yards.
Additional in-app promotions include profit boosts on various sports events like NBA and college football.
Users need to sign up with personal details and make a minimum deposit of $10.
The bonuses must be used within one week of receiving them.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through links in the article.
Marcus Freeman, head coach of the Notre Dame football team, has confirmed he will remain with the team, despite interest from the NFL. Freeman announced his commitment to Notre Dame on social media and has agreed to a new contract extension, ensuring he will stay with the team for the next few years.
Key Facts
Marcus Freeman is the head coach of Notre Dame's football team.
He has been considered for NFL head coaching positions, including the New York Giants.
Freeman confirmed on social media that he will continue with Notre Dame until at least 2026.
He signed a six-year contract extension, which includes an increase in pay.
Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, is committed to keeping Freeman well compensated.
Freeman previously turned down an NFL opportunity with the Chicago Bears.
He is regarded as highly successful and is gaining attention both in college football and beyond.
Liv Morgan returned to WWE action after being out for over six months due to a shoulder injury. She participated in a WWE "Holiday Tour" event in Tampa, Florida, where she claimed to be the "greatest of all time" after her victory. Her return adds excitement to WWE, but her next appearance on television is not yet confirmed.
Key Facts
Liv Morgan returned to wrestling after a shoulder injury kept her out for over six months.
She competed at a WWE event in Tampa, Florida, and won against Lyra Valkyria.
Morgan declared herself the "greatest of all time" following her victory.
Her return happened earlier than expected due to her determination.
Teammate Raquel Rodriguez talked about Morgan's strong desire to succeed and rehab.
There is no current information on when Morgan will appear on WWE television next.
The Los Angeles Lakers are being advised to consider a major trade involving LeBron James and Jimmy Butler from the Golden State Warriors. The proposal suggests that the trade could benefit both teams by adding excitement and better fitting team dynamics. LeBron is currently experiencing a career-low performance, while the Warriors look to reinvigorate their team strategy.
Key Facts
The Lakers currently have a 20-10 record in the Western Conference.
Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring with 33.7 points per game since joining the Lakers.
LeBron James is averaging career-low stats of 20.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game.
A trade idea suggests swapping LeBron James for Jimmy Butler with the Warriors.
Jimmy Butler plays a key defensive role for the Warriors, who have a 16-16 record.
The Warriors have shifted to a more defensive strategy under Butler.
Salary rules and player age are challenges for any potential trade between the Lakers and Warriors.
