Michigan's football team is looking for a new head coach after firing Sherrone Moore. Three main candidates have emerged: Eli Drinkwitz, Jedd Fisch, and Kyle Whittingham. Biff Poggi is serving as the interim head coach for the team's upcoming bowl game.
Key Facts
Michigan dismissed head coach Sherrone Moore about two weeks ago.
Biff Poggi has been named interim head coach for the upcoming bowl game.
Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri), Jedd Fisch (Washington), and Kyle Whittingham (Utah) are the leading candidates for the head coach position.
Michigan's search is still in the early stages, and a new coach is unlikely to be hired before Christmas.
Jeff Brohm was mentioned in rumors but is not on Michigan's initial list of coaching candidates.
Michigan last won a national championship in 2023 under Jim Harbaugh.
There is pressure on Michigan's athletic director, Warde Manuel, to make a good coaching decision.
The University of South Carolina has strengthened its women's basketball program by landing two highly regarded recruits. Jerzy Robinson, a top guard from California, and Alicia Tournebize, a skilled French forward, have both committed to join the team. These signings reinforce South Carolina's strong position in college basketball recruiting.
Key Facts
Jerzy Robinson, a top-ranked guard from Sierra Canyon High School, has committed to South Carolina.
Robinson was pursued by several major college basketball programs, including LSU, UConn, and USC.
Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-7 forward from France, will join South Carolina early next year.
Tournebize previously played professionally in the EuroLeague Women for Tango Bourges Basket in France.
Robinson's commitment strengthens South Carolina's presence in California, a key recruiting region.
Both recruits are part of South Carolina's highly ranked 2026 class, with three players in ESPN's Top 20.
The signings bolster the depth and talent of Dawn Staley's South Carolina team.
Michigan's interim head coach Biff Poggi stated that up to 25 players might leave the team after their bowl game on December 31. This comes after the head coach was fired, and the offensive coordinator left for another team. Poggi's comments suggest some players may enter the transfer portal or consider the NFL draft.
Key Facts
Michigan fired their head coach Sherrone Moore.
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey left Michigan for Missouri.
Interim coach Biff Poggi expressed concern that 25 players might leave the team.
The potential departures could happen after the Citrus Bowl on December 31 when Michigan plays Texas.
Poggi mentioned the players could either transfer to other schools or enter the NFL draft.
Just a day before Poggi's statement, the team had only three players opting out of the bowl game.
The team is experiencing uncertainty, with some questioning who will coach them in the future.
Fans on social media reacted strongly to Poggi's statement, concerned about the team's future.
The New York Mets traded Jeff McNeil to the Oakland Athletics. McNeil had spent eight seasons with the Mets and was involved in an on-field disagreement with teammate Francisco Lindor. It is unclear if this dispute influenced the trade decision.
Key Facts
Jeff McNeil played with the Mets for eight years and was traded to the Athletics.
McNeil was drafted by the Mets in 2013.
The Mets recently traded for Marcus Semien, possibly indicating plans to trade McNeil.
Reports mention McNeil had an uneasy relationship with Francisco Lindor since 2021.
A reported incident in 2021 involved Lindor confronting McNeil over a defensive mistake.
The specific impact of McNeil and Lindor's relationship on the trade decision remains unknown.
McNeil stated that he did not wish to discuss details about his relationship with Lindor.
Ohio State's football team is getting ready for a College Football Playoff game against the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State's quarterback, Julian Sayin, is focusing on preparing for a tough Miami defense with guidance from coach Ryan Day. The game will be held on December 31st, with the winner moving on to the semifinals.
Key Facts
Ohio State will play against Miami in the Cotton Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff.
Julian Sayin, quarterback for Ohio State, was among the final four Heisman candidates.
Miami's defense limited Texas A&M to just a field goal in their last game.
Sayin appreciates the coaching of Ryan Day, who has significant experience in coaching quarterbacks.
The game is scheduled for December 31st, and the winner will advance to the semifinals.
Sayin transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban retired from Alabama.
Sayin notes the importance of making quick decisions to avoid being sacked, which was a problem in their recent games.
Ohio State's defense, coached by Matt Patricia, is praised by Sayin for being the best in the country.
Alabama's football team, known as the Crimson Tide, is preparing to play against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff on New Year's Day. ESPN's prediction model gives Indiana a 71.4% chance of winning the game. Alabama will face this challenge after their win against the Oklahoma Sooners.
Key Facts
The game between Alabama and Indiana is part of the College Football Playoff.
Alabama recently defeated the Oklahoma Sooners.
Indiana is the top-seeded team in the playoff.
ESPN's model predicts a 71.4% chance for Indiana to win against Alabama.
The game will take place on January 1 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, recently won the Heisman Trophy.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has been preparing his team for this significant challenge.
Ryan Brierley, a former Salford Red Devils captain, will become chief executive of the club after ending his playing career at Oldham. Brierley's appointment follows a successful bid by a consortium to relaunch Salford, which had been dissolved due to financial issues. The new Salford team will compete in the second-tier Championship starting in 2026.
Key Facts
Ryan Brierley played 95 games for Salford Red Devils from 2022 to 2025.
He retired from playing at Oldham to take on the chief executive role at Salford.
A consortium led by former player Mason Caton-Brown secured a bid for Salford to compete in the Championship.
The original Salford Red Devils team ended operations due to financial struggles and losing their Super League status.
The new Salford team will start the 2026 Championship season against Oldham.
The transition aims to preserve Salford's rugby league heritage.
The article discusses potential trade plans for All-Star pitcher MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals. Sports analyst Jesse Rogers suggests that teams like the New York Yankees or the Baltimore Orioles could benefit from acquiring Gore. Gore, known for his talent and affordability, is expected to be in demand this winter.
Key Facts
MacKenzie Gore is a pitcher for the Washington Nationals.
Gore is considered valuable due to his strong performance and low cost.
Jesse Rogers from ESPN predicts Gore might be traded soon.
The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are potential teams interested in acquiring Gore.
Gore is set to earn approximately $6.5 million next year.
He was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2017.
Gore recorded 185 strikeouts in the 2023 season.
He suffered a right ankle injury, ending his season early.
The New York Yankees are interested in signing baseball player Cody Bellinger, a former National League MVP, but they face competition from other teams. If Bellinger signs with another team, the Yankees are considering Austin Hays as an alternative. Hays, who played well for the Cincinnati Reds last season, could be a less expensive option.
Key Facts
The Yankees want to sign Cody Bellinger, a top free agent.
Bellinger is a former National League MVP.
If they can't sign Bellinger, the Yankees are looking at Austin Hays.
Austin Hays was an All-Star in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles.
Hays played for the Cincinnati Reds last season, hitting 15 home runs.
The Reds did not take up Hays’ $12 million option, making him a free agent.
Hays had a strong performance against left-handed pitchers last season.
The Yankees already have several outfielders, including Aaron Judge and Jasson Domínguez.
The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in signing free agent Kyle Tucker, who is a top player available this year. Bo Bichette, also a free agent, is expected to re-sign with the Blue Jays despite the attention on Tucker. Bichette has been a key player for the Blue Jays and wants to continue playing with the team.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays had the best record in the American League last season.
Bo Bichette, a key player for the Blue Jays, is currently a free agent.
Kyle Tucker is a top free agent this year and has visited the Blue Jays' facility in Florida.
MLB insider Jon Heyman predicts Bichette will re-sign with the Blue Jays.
Bichette has expressed that he wants to remain with the team and play with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Bichette is a two-time All-Star and has led the American League in hits twice.
His career batting average is .294, and he had 181 hits last season.
Though not known for home runs, Bichette has been a consistent offensive player.
The New York Mets signed Ofreidy Gómez, a 30-year-old pitcher from the Dominican Republic, to a minor-league contract. Gómez aims to make his major league debut after not playing in affiliated baseball since 2023. He has recently shown impressive performance in the Dominican Winter League.
Key Facts
The New York Mets signed pitcher Ofreidy Gómez to a minor-league deal.
Gómez has not pitched in affiliated baseball since 2023.
He was released by the Baltimore Orioles in 2023.
Gómez is a 30-year-old native of the Dominican Republic.
In the Dominican Winter League, Gómez struck out 22 batters in 13 innings.
He has been pitching at speeds of up to 99 mph.
Gómez was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2012.
He has played in various baseball leagues worldwide, including Mexico and Venezuela.
The article discusses the role of religion in sports, highlighting how athletes like Jeremiah Azu and Zainab El-Mouden express their faith in their respective sports. It also touches on the rules governing religious displays in sports and the impact of religion on athletes' performance and confidence.
Key Facts
Some athletes, like Marc Guehi and Jurrien Timber, visibly express their Christian beliefs during sports events.
Jeremiah Azu was cautioned for wearing a "100% Jesus" headband at the World Athletics Championships, but no formal punishment was given.
Azu believes his Christian faith gives him strength and discipline in his sport.
Zainab El-Mouden, a Muslim footballer, discusses the challenges and empowerment of wearing a hijab while playing.
Fifa removed a ban on hijabs in 2014, allowing players to wear them for religious reasons.
Moroccan player Nouhaila Benzina became the first to wear a hijab at the World Cup two years ago.
Athletes often use rituals or religious beliefs to prepare mentally for competitions.
A New York Knicks player, Miles McBride, has been cleared to return to full-contact practice after an ankle injury. There is speculation on whether the Knicks might trade him for another player ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. The Knicks are set to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day.
Key Facts
Knicks guard Miles McBride is returning from an ankle injury.
He has been out since December 7 but can now join full-contact practices.
Miles McBride has resumed on-court activities with team coaches.
McBride is on a three-year contract, earning $4.3 million this season.
His current season average is 11.6 points per game.
There are rumors about a possible trade involving McBride for another player.
The Knicks are playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson shared that shortly before coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, Saban advised Simpson to stay at Alabama if he wanted to become a top draft pick. Simpson followed this advice and has since helped lead Alabama to a College Football Playoff win.
Key Facts
Alabama’s football team is getting ready for a big playoff game against Indiana on New Year's Day.
Alabama won their first playoff game against Oklahoma with Ty Simpson as the starting quarterback.
Ty Simpson played as a backup for three years before becoming the starting quarterback.
Nick Saban recruited Ty Simpson when he was the head coach at Alabama.
Shortly before Saban retired, he told Simpson that staying at Alabama could help him become a first-round NFL draft pick.
Simson has been successful this season, completing 64.1% of his passes and throwing for 3,500 yards.
Alabama's team is coached by Kalen DeBoer after Saban's retirement.
Simpson's performance has contributed to Alabama's first playoff win under new coach Kalen DeBoer.
Brooks Koepka, a five-time major golf champion, is leaving LIV Golf before the 2026 season. He plans to focus more on his family and has not yet announced if he will return to the PGA Tour. Koepka joined LIV Golf in 2022 with a $100 million contract.
Key Facts
Brooks Koepka is leaving LIV Golf before the 2026 season.
LIV Golf is a golf tour financed by Saudi Arabia's wealth fund.
Koepka had one more year on his contract with LIV Golf.
He joined LIV Golf in 2022 with a $100 million deal.
His main reason for leaving is to spend more time with his family.
It is not clear if he will return to the PGA Tour.
Koepka can play in the four major tournaments next year.
The PGA Tour requires former LIV players to wait a year before rejoining.
The article provides tips for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers on managing their teams during the busy Christmas period, which includes quick deadlines and potential player absences. It highlights key strategies like monitoring player suspensions, planning for heavy rotation, and valuing players with consistent playing time.
Key Facts
The Christmas period in the Premier League features four gameweeks from December 26 to January 6.
Players like Antoine Semenyo could face suspensions for reaching five yellow cards.
FPL managers should pay attention to the order of their substitute players due to heavy rotations.
Choosing players who regularly play the full 90 minutes can be advantageous.
It's recommended to wait until the last minute to make transfers, allowing for the latest updates on player injuries or lineup changes.
The Africa Cup of Nations will cause some player absences from the Premier League.
The article discusses Chris Sutton's lead in predicting Premier League game outcomes, competing against AI and other participants. Sutton, a former Premier League player, is ahead in predictions for the season, and for festive fixtures, he takes on Jonny Stewart from the music group The Wellermen.
Key Facts
Arsenal is leading the Premier League table at Christmas.
Chris Sutton is leading in making successful Premier League game predictions.
Sutton competes against AI, BBC Sport readers, and various guests.
For the upcoming festive fixtures, Sutton faces Jonny Stewart from The Wellermen.
The Wellermen gained popularity with their sea shanty music on TikTok.
Jonny Stewart, a Newcastle fan, recalls the team's win at the Carabao Cup final.
Sutton predicts outcomes for all 380 Premier League games this season.
Travis Kelce, a prominent player for the Kansas City Chiefs, is considering retirement as he approaches the end of his 13th year in the NFL. Kelce's contract ends this season, and his decision will impact the Chiefs as they missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. He plans to decide his future before March 11, when NFL free agency begins.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce has played 13 years in the NFL and won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kelce's current contract with the Chiefs ends this season.
The Chiefs did not make the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
Travis's brother, Jason Kelce, also an NFL player, retired after a 13-year career.
Travis is planning to marry singer Taylor Swift next summer.
Kelce wants to make a decision about retirement before NFL free agency starts on March 11.
The Kansas City Chiefs lost a recent game with Kelce having limited success on the field.
Ben Stokes, the captain of England's cricket team, is experiencing difficulties leading the team during a challenging Ashes series in Australia. England is currently down 3-0 in the series, with reports of behavior issues, including excessive drinking among players. Stokes is committed to supporting his team and addressing these challenges as they prepare for the fourth Ashes Test.
Key Facts
Ben Stokes became the England cricket captain in April 2022.
England is losing the Ashes series to Australia, currently 3-0 down, with two matches remaining.
There are reports of England players' alleged excessive drinking during a break in Noosa, Australia.
A video allegedly showing player Ben Duckett drunk surfaced online, although it's not verified by the BBC.
Stokes has faced personal challenges before, including a 2017 issue outside a nightclub and a break for mental health in 2021.
Stokes aims to support his team as they face criticism and to ensure players are well during this period.
Stokes has affirmed his commitment to staying on as captain, despite the current challenges.
England Director Rob Key plans to investigate the players' behavior in Noosa.
During a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets, Joel Embiid, a key player for the 76ers, suffered a fall and seemed to hurt his knee but returned to play soon after. Embiid reported that he hyperextended his knee but felt well enough to continue playing. The 76ers lost the game 114-106, with Embiid contributing 27 points.
Key Facts
Joel Embiid left the game against the Brooklyn Nets due to a knee injury scare.
He returned to the court quickly after being evaluated.
Embiid said he hyperextended his knee but felt fine afterward.
The 76ers lost the game 114-106 to the Nets.
Embiid finished with 27 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in 31 minutes.
Over the past two seasons, Embiid has faced ongoing knee issues that required surgery.
This season, Embiid has been on a minutes restriction and missed several games due to recent health issues.
The 76ers are set to play their next game against the Chicago Bulls.
