Don’t Expect to See Neon Blue When These Togs Are Redesigned

Fashion designer Alexander Julian, who attended the University of North Carolina, has been asked to redesign the Tar Heels’ basketball uniforms. But Julian, who designed the Charlotte Hornets’ pin-striped outfits, says he will stick to a more traditional look for Coach Dean Smith’s team.

Julian told the Raleigh News and Observer: “Having Dean Smith ask you to redo the Carolina uniforms is like having God ask you to redo the uniforms for the archangels.”

He added: “The most important thing is to have uniforms that retain the dignity and tradition of our school. I can tell you right now, they won’t have seven stripes of teal.”

Trivia time: In 1979, defensive end Ed (Too Tall) Jones of the Dallas Cowboys began a heavyweight boxing career. Before his return to football in 1980, what was Jones’ ring record?

They might do it: Now that Michael Jordan is the father of a second son, his shoe sponsor is overdue with its next model: Heir Jordan.

Royal rendering: As of Thursday, you can refer to the player who led Cameroon into the World Cup semifinals as Prince Roger Milla.

The Associated Press reported that the traditional chiefs of the province of Kumba bestowed the title on Milla, 38, “for services rendered during the World Cup 1990.”

Global warning: When John Mackovic and his Illinois team arrived in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday to prepare for the Hall of Fame Bowl game on New Year’s Day, reporters asked the Illini head coach about a story in the Boston Globe that named him as the top candidate to become the next coach of the New England Patriots.

Said Mackovic: “If you recall, sources also had (Indianapolis Colts Coach) Ron Meyer being replaced by me four weeks into the season. Very well-placed sources, as I recall. He’s still there, and I’m still here.”

Back to live action: From Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser:

“Sideline reporters are wearing me out. Any schmo with a blazer can stick a microphone in a player’s face and go: ‘Tyrone, 45 yards straight up the gut, awesome. Your thoughts.’ Half the time when they cut to these guys, we miss a touchdown. They’re all camera hogs. They launch into a dissertation about a sprained ankle like they’re Sir Richard Attenborough: ‘I’m here, knee-deep in mud by the Clemson bench, pondering what the limits of human endurance might be. This man, this swift, mercurial runner, has just been stung by one of fate’s cruel darts.’ ”

The Bobby Ross Epoch: At a Citrus Bowl news conference in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Georgia Tech Coach Bobby Ross regaled reporters with tales of his exploits as the starting quarterback at Virginia Military Institute in 1958.

Said Ross: “Hey, I led the nation in passing one year. I was 15 for 17 for the season. We just didn’t pass very much that season.

“They were all jump passes, about eight yards over the middle. And I was one of the best blocking quarterbacks around. I was more like a wingback.”

Trivia answer: His record was 6-0, five by knockout and one by decision.

Quotebook: Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz, on how the outcome of the Orange Bowl game between his No. 5 Irish and No. 1 Colorado might affect the national rankings: “Nothing would please me more than to have another argument.”