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FOOTBALL
Falcons conduct interviews
The Atlanta Falcons, who made immediate public disclosure of their interest in including John Harbaugh in their search for a coach, said Monday they have interviewed the former Baltimore coach. The Falcons also interviewed former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Monday, while McDaniel also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns. Harbaugh is considered by many to be the top candidate for multiple teams following his 18-year tenure leading the Ravens. Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Thursday he hoped Harbaugh would be interested in the Falcons. The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after an 8-9 finish, despite the team closing with four straight wins. The Falcons began their search after hiring former longtime quarterback Matt Ryan as president of football. Ryan is leading the searches for coach and general manager and is scheduled to have his first news conference in his newly created role on Tuesday. The new coach and GM will report to Ryan.
Raiola picks Oregon
Quarterback Dylan Raiola announced Monday on social media he intends to transfer from Nebraska to Oregon. Raiola was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Nebraska and started 22 games over two seasons. He broke his leg against USC on Nov. 1 and missed the Cornhuskers' last four games. Oregon's quarterback room for 2026 remains unsettled even with the addition of Raiola as Dante Moore decides whether he will enter the NFL Draft. Moore said Friday after a 56-22 loss to No. 1 Indiana in a College Football Playoff semifinal that he was uncertain on declaring for the draft or returning to Oregon for a final season. Moore went 24 of 39 for 285 yards with an interception and two fumbles against the Hoosiers. Two of Moore's backups, Austin Novosad and Luke Moga, have entered the transfer portal.
Cowboys DE arrested
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku was arrested Sunday on a reckless driving charge and released, according to Collin County jail records. Ezeiruaku posted a $500 bond and was released, the jail records show. Cowboys officials said Monday night the organization was aware of the arrest but offered no further comment. Ezeiruaku, a second-round pick from Boston College, finished his rookie season with 2 sacks, 40 tackles and 12 quarterback hits in 12 games. Ezeiruaku could not immediately be reached for comment. It was not clear if he has an attorney.
BASKETBALL
Moratorium for WNBA
The WNBA and its players' union agreed to a moratorium for league business Monday. The moratorium, which was confirmed by the league, was necessary because the sides failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the current one by Friday night's deadline. The sides are continuing to negotiate on a new CBA and are far apart on salaries and revenue sharing. The moratorium will halt the initial stages of free agency in which teams would seek to deliver qualifying offers and franchise tag designations to players.
NBA fines Brown
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown got what he expected on Monday when he was fined $35,000 for postgame comments in which he criticized officials and said, "They can fine me whatever they want." On Saturday, the Celtics lost 100-95 to the San Antonio Spurs. Brown expressed frustration over inconsistent officiating, noting he didn't get to the free-throw line even once. Brown scored 27 points, while Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half. San Antonio shot 20 free throws to Boston's four. Brown called out referee Curtis Blair by name.
Gobert to serve suspension
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert must serve a one-game suspension due to the number of flagrant fouls he has accumulated this season. The NBA announced that Gobert will sit out on Tuesday when the Timberwolves visit the Milwaukee Bucks. They will also be without star guard Anthony Edwards, who was ruled out for maintenance of a right foot injury. Gobert, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year award winner, was called for a level 1 flagrant foul during the fourth quarter of Minnesota's 104-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, when he aggressively closed out against Victor Wembanyama behind the three-point line. The game officials ruled that Gobert impeded Wembanyama's ability to safely land on the follow-through from his jump shot, giving him six flagrant foul points for the season. League rules dictate an automatic suspension after a game in which a player's flagrant foul point total exceeds five.
HOCKEY
Blue Jackets fire coach
The Columbus Blue Jackets fired coach Dean Evason and named Rick Bowness as his replacement on Monday. Evason is the first NHL coach fired this season. General Manager Don Waddell announced the abrupt change with his team sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference 45 games into the season with a record of 19-19-7. Assistant Steve McCarthy, who had been with the organization for nearly a decade, was also fired. Bowness is back in the league after he retired in the spring of 2024, ending a stint with the Winnipeg Jets. Bowness, who coached Dallas to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2020 pandemic bubble, turns 71 on Jan. 25, and at 70 becomes the oldest head coach in the NHL.
BASEBALL
Giusti, 86, dies
Dave Giusti, a reliable reliever who spent 15 years in the majors and helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1971 World Series title, has died. He was 86. The club, citing Giusti's family, said he died on Sunday. The right-hander went 100-93 with a 3.60 ERA in 668 career appearances for five clubs from 1962-77. He began his career as a starter in Houston but had his greatest success with the Pirates, who acquired him from St. Louis in October 1969 and then moved him to the bullpen full-time. Giusti led the National League with 30 saves in 1971, then added 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs as the Pirates beat San Francisco in the NL Championship Series and then the Baltimore Orioles in seven games in the World Series. Giusti made his lone All-Star appearance in 1973.