The Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator, for their head coaching job. Flores is known for his strong defensive skills and has experience as a former head coach of the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers are considering him among other candidates for the head coach position.
Key Facts
The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to hire a new head coach.
Brian Flores, who is the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, interviewed for the position.
Flores is recognized for his expertise in defense.
Under Flores, the Vikings had a 9-8 record in the season, despite challenges with their offense.
Flores has previous experience as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins.
Before working with the Vikings, Flores served as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Steelers.
The Steelers are also considering Jesse Minter, Nate Scheelhaase, and Chris Shula for the role.
The article discusses a promotion from DraftKings, a sports betting company, that offers a $300 bonus for new customers who place a $5 bet with minimum odds. The promotion is available for NBA and college basketball games, with additional offers for NFL playoff games.
Key Facts
New customers can get a $300 bonus from DraftKings by placing a $5 bet at minimum odds of -500.
There are seven NBA games available for betting on the specified Tuesday night.
DraftKings offers an in-app feature called "King of the Court" with opportunities for additional winnings.
The NFL playoff package includes enhanced betting options for conference championship games.
Users can use popular payment methods like debit cards, PayPal, online banking, or Venmo to deposit funds.
The bonus is awarded as twelve $25 bets, allowing flexibility in usage.
The promotion is for customers aged 21 and over in participating states only.
Newsweek may receive a commission if users sign up for DraftKings through the article's links.
The San Francisco Giants' new manager, Tony Vitello, commented on the Los Angeles Dodgers' recent signing of All-Star free agent Kyle Tucker, emphasizing his focus on his own team. The Dodgers are making strategic moves to enhance their roster, while the Giants are working to improve their chances of returning to the postseason.
Key Facts
The Dodgers signed four-time All-Star Kyle Tucker and top closer Edwin Diaz.
Tony Vitello, the Giants' new manager, previously managed at the University of Tennessee.
Vitello expressed pride in the Giants' team, wearing "orange and black."
The Dodgers are seen as favorites to win the World Series.
The Giants finished the 2025 season with an 81-81 record and missed the postseason.
The Giants focused on improving their pitching by signing Tyler Mahle and A.J. Houser.
San Francisco also brought in international player Luis Hernandez.
The Giants aim to compete again with teams like the Dodgers in future seasons.
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and Prince William visited Scotland's National Curling Centre in Stirling and tried curling for the first time. They met Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes to wish them luck for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Italy. Curling is a sport with strong ties to Scotland and has been successful for British winter sports teams.
Key Facts
Catherine and William visited the National Curling Centre in Stirling, Scotland.
They tried the sport of curling during their visit.
The Royal couple met with athletes from Team GB and Paralympics GB.
The visit happened before the Winter Olympic Games in Italy next month.
Curling is a sport that originally came from Scotland in the 16th century.
The National Curling Academy opened in August 2017 to support British athletes.
The Academy allows athletes to practice on high-quality ice all year round.
Alberto Mendoza, the younger brother of college football player Fernando Mendoza, announced his transfer to Georgia Tech. He will compete for the role of starting quarterback there, having previously played as a backup at Indiana University. Alberto seeks to establish his own path in college football alongside the achievements of his brother.
Key Facts
Alberto Mendoza is transferring to Georgia Tech to compete for the starting quarterback position.
He previously played at Indiana University, where his brother Fernando Mendoza became notable for winning a national title.
Alberto is known for his mobility and ability to run the ball, averaging 14.6 yards per carry last season.
He threw for 286 yards and five touchdowns during his most recent season at Indiana.
Fernando Mendoza is expected to enter the NFL Draft, with projections identifying him as a potential top pick.
Alberto's competition for the starting role at Georgia Tech includes Graham Knowles, who played sparingly last season.
Alberto was a higher-ranked recruit coming out of high school compared to his brother Fernando.
The NFL play-offs have reached the final stage before the Super Bowl. Four teams are left competing in the Conference Championships: the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots. Key matchups include the Broncos taking on the Patriots and the Seahawks facing the Rams.
Key Facts
Four teams remain in the NFL play-offs: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots.
The Seahawks will play the Rams in the NFC Championship game.
The Broncos will face the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers to advance.
The Los Angeles Rams won an overtime game against Chicago.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills in overtime.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is the first to potentially beat three top-five defenses in one post-season.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is injured, and Jarrett Stidham, the backup, will play in the championship game.
The New York Giants announced that running back Cam Skattebo, who injured his ankle last season, is expected to fully recover and be ready for the team's offseason program starting April 6. Skattebo, drafted in 2025, had an impressive rookie start before his injury, and the team is optimistic about his return.
Key Facts
Cam Skattebo is a running back for the New York Giants.
He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Skattebo suffered a serious ankle injury in Week 8 of his rookie season.
Before his injury, he recorded 410 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 207 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.
Giants' general manager, Joe Schoen, stated that Skattebo should be ready for the offseason program on April 6.
Skattebo is confident in his ability to fully recover and return to form for the next season.
In a key UEFA Champions League match, Liverpool will play against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome in France. Liverpool aims to stay in the top eight of the standings, while Marseille hopes to catch up to them. Mohamed Salah's potential return to play is a focus as Liverpool deals with squad dynamics.
Key Facts
Liverpool plays against Marseille in a UEFA Champions League match.
The match takes place at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France, at 9 PM GMT.
Liverpool is currently ninth in the standings and aims to move into the top eight.
Marseille is 16th, three points behind Liverpool, and needs a win to improve their standing.
Mohamed Salah has returned to Liverpool training after playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
There is uncertainty about whether Salah will play against Marseille.
Mason Greenwood is Marseille's top scorer with 12 goals in 17 appearances this season.
The top eight teams automatically qualify for the UEFA Champions League last 16.
The Indiana Hoosiers won their first college football national championship against the Miami Hurricanes, completing a perfect 16-0 season. Following this victory, Derek Owings, the Hoosiers' strength coach, accepted a new job with the Tennessee Volunteers, becoming the highest-paid strength coach in college football history.
Key Facts
Indiana won its first college football national championship, defeating Miami 27-21.
The win marked a flawless 16-0 season for the Hoosiers under Head Coach Curt Cignetti.
Strength coach Derek Owings played a key role during Indiana's championship season.
Owings has accepted a new position with the Tennessee Volunteers.
His new deal is worth $1.2 million per year, a record salary for a strength coach in college football.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel praised Owings for his understanding of physical and mental toughness.
Owings replaces Tennessee's previous strength coach, Kurt Schmidt.
A British team, consisting of Marcella Kirk and Helen Tait-Wright, became the first all-female British team to finish the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, covering 8,000 kilometers. They raised funds by selling personal items and used a specially adapted Land Rover for the race. Despite challenges, including blowing two tires in the final section, they completed the rally.
Key Facts
Marcella Kirk and Helen Tait-Wright formed the first all-female British team to complete the Dakar Rally.
The rally took place in Saudi Arabia and covered 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles).
To fund their participation, they raised £114,000 by selling personal items, including a car and jewelry.
They used a specially modified 1988 Land Rover Defender 110, built by Tait-Wright's husband.
Navigation was done through map reading, as sat-navs were not allowed.
They faced a challenge when two tires blew in the final section, but received help from a German team.
Despite the difficulties, they finished 83rd in the Dakar Classic section.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract. Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer commented on Tucker's departure and spoke about the Cubs' decision not to re-sign him, citing financial constraints and other team priorities. The Cubs instead signed Alex Bregman to strengthen their team.
Key Facts
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker for $240 million over four years.
Kyle Tucker played for the Chicago Cubs in the 2025 season.
Cubs president Jed Hoyer expressed support for Tucker's move to the Dodgers.
The Cubs did not pursue Tucker due to financial limits and other team priorities.
Tucker had a strong first half of the season but struggled later.
The Cubs signed Alex Bregman with a five-year, $175 million deal to improve their infield.
The Cubs lost to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Division Series.
The Cubs aim to stay competitive in the National League.
The NFL announced the officiating team for Super Bowl LX, which will be held at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco on February 8. Shawn Smith will be the main referee, with several other officials who have previous Super Bowl experience joining him.
Key Facts
Super Bowl LX will take place on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco.
Shawn Smith is selected as the head referee.
Four of the officials have worked Super Bowls before: Roy Ellison, Dana McKenzie, Eugene Hall, and Greg Steed.
Julian Mapp, Jason Ledet, and Andrew Lambert will be officiating their first Super Bowl.
The NFL chooses Super Bowl officials based on evaluations like performance and professionalism.
Shawn Smith has been an NFL referee for 10 seasons.
During the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Morocco and Senegal, the Senegal team left the field temporarily, causing potential changes to the outcome based on the rules rather than the actual game. This situation is not uncommon in African football.
Key Facts
The AFCON final match involved Morocco and Senegal.
Senegal walked off the pitch during the game.
There was a risk that the outcome might be decided by the official rulebook.
The situation occurred during the #AFCON25 final.
Such incidents have happened before in African football events.
The Atlanta Braves signed Sean Reid-Foley to a minor league contract. Reid-Foley, a pitcher, previously played for the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league team in 2025. The Braves hope he can improve their team's pitching situation.
Key Facts
Sean Reid-Foley signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.
He previously played parts of five seasons with the New York Mets.
In 2025, he was part of the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league system.
Reid-Foley had an 8.36 ERA with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets before being released.
In 2021-2024, he had a 3.75 ERA in 50 games for the Mets.
Injuries have affected his career, including elbow surgery in 2022.
Reid-Foley was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014.
He showed improvement in the Mexican Winter League, with fewer walks and more strikeouts.
Curt Cignetti led the Indiana Hoosiers to win their first College Football Playoff National Championship, with a victory over their opponents in a tight game. Fox Sports commentator Urban Meyer advised Cignetti to maintain his team's strong culture and warned about the potential departure of his key coaching staff following this success.
Key Facts
Indiana Hoosiers won their first-ever CFP National Championship by defeating their opponent 27-21.
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza played a key role in the victory.
Urban Meyer cautioned Coach Curt Cignetti about maintaining team culture after the win.
Meyer highlighted the risk of other teams recruiting Indiana's talented coordinators, Mike Shanahan and Bryant Haines, as head coaches.
The Indiana Hoosiers are ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Transfer Portal with 17 new player commits.
Outgoing quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover is set to join Indiana as a transfer.
Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers, announced a decision related to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities after leading his team to win their first College Football Playoff National Championship. Mendoza's NIL activities include brand partnerships and public appearances, and his success has made him a prominent figure in college football.
Key Facts
Fernando Mendoza is the quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers.
Mendoza led Indiana to a 27–21 victory over the Miami Hurricanes, achieving a perfect 16–0 season.
He won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first player from Indiana to do so.
Mendoza will meet fans at a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Bloomington as part of his NIL commitments.
His NIL portfolio is valued in the multi-million-dollar range, including partnerships with Adidas.
Mendoza’s decision highlights the potential for college athletes to gain off-field opportunities through NIL deals.
Sean McDermott, former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, was fired after expressing concerns about the team's roster to the general manager and owner. He led the team for nearly a decade but was dismissed following a playoff loss to the Denver Broncos. The Bills are now searching for a new head coach.
Key Facts
Sean McDermott was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons.
McDermott's contract was supposed to last until 2027.
He criticized the team's roster to the general manager and owner, which contributed to his firing.
The team lost to the Denver Broncos in the playoff divisional round.
The Bills had high hopes for this season, thinking they could reach the Super Bowl.
McDermott led the team to two AFC championship games but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs both times.
The team struggled with roster depth and questioned some of McDermott's decisions.
Buffalo will now search for their 21st head coach in team history.
The Cleveland Browns may not start Shedeur Sanders as their quarterback next season. Analysts suggest the team might pursue Malik Willis, the Green Bay Packers backup quarterback, after an inconsistent season from Sanders.
Key Facts
Shedeur Sanders had a mixed performance in his rookie season as a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders became the starter after Dillon Gabriel was injured.
The Browns are reportedly considering other quarterback options for the next season.
An anonymous NFC source believes Sanders will not start for the Browns.
Malik Willis, currently a backup for the Green Bay Packers, is a potential target for the Browns.
Willis showed promise as a quarterback at the end of the season while filling in for Jordan Love.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Emory Williams has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after the team's loss in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Williams, who was mainly a backup player, is looking for more playing time at a new school. Miami is now searching for a new starting quarterback, with other potential options being considered.
Key Facts
Emory Williams was a quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes.
He joined the team in 2023 as part of their recruiting class.
Williams played mainly as a backup during his time with the team.
Miami recently played in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
After this season, Williams decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.
The transfer portal allows college athletes to transfer to other schools for better opportunities.
Miami is looking for a new quarterback as current starter Carson Beck's eligibility has ended.
Micah Parsons, a top NFL player and former Penn State player, criticized the SEC conference after Indiana won the college football national title. Indiana's win is part of a recent trend where Big Ten teams have been successful in college football. The rise of the transfer portal in college sports is changing how athletes move between schools, influencing team performance.
Key Facts
Micah Parsons is an NFL player with the Green Bay Packers and supports Penn State.
Parsons criticized the SEC, a dominant college football conference, after Indiana won a national title.
Indiana Hoosiers, part of the Big Ten conference, beat Miami Hurricanes to win the national title with a last-minute interception.
The Big Ten has seen success recently with multiple teams winning national titles.
The transfer portal allows college athletes to change schools for more playing time or financial benefits.
Penn State, expected to do well, faced setbacks and finished with a mediocre season.
Indiana's success is attributed to coach Curt Cignetti's strategic leadership.
