Zampese Takes His Game Plan to Dallas

Saying talk of the Rams’ possible move from Anaheim affected his decision, Ernie Zampese became offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

Zampese, 57, the Rams’ offensive coordinator for seven years, agreed to a three-year contract to replace Norv Turner, who was named coach of the Washington Redskins this week. Turner was an assistant under Zampese with the Rams before leaving for Dallas in 1991.

“I think first of all, it’s the possibility of going to a Super Bowl,” Zampese said of his reason for leaving the Rams.

Cowboy owner Jerry Jones said Zampese was the coach he wanted.

“He’s a natural,” Jones said. “We think he’ll fit right in; he obviously knows the offense well.”

Baseball

Infielder Jody Reed agreed to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and will go to spring training as a nonroster player. Reed, 31, hit .276 last season with the Dodgers and led the National League in second-base fielding. He became a free agent after reportedly turning down an $8-million, three-year contract offer from the Dodgers.

John Olerud, who led the American League in hitting last year, jumped into the top 15 in salary, and Norm Charlton, and Henry Cotto joined new teams.

Olerud agreed to a $17 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal has an option for 1997 that, if exercised, would give the first baseman $22.5 million over four years.

Charlton signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cotto with the Baltimore Orioles, who also signed Rene Gonzales and Mark Williamson. The San Francisco Giants and pitcher John Burkett agreed to a one-year contract.

Winter Sports

If Mongolia comes, the Lillehammer Games will be the largest Winter Olympics ever, officials said. The Lillehammer Organizing committee said 65 countries have entered, matching the number of nations at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. . . . Three Olympic volunteers suffered minor injuries when a roof collapsed under the weight of snow at the hotel where members of the International Olympic Committee will stay during the Games.

David Sacco scored with 6 1/2 minutes left as the U.S. national hockey team rallied for a 5-3 victory over Norway at Rouen, France. The Americans fell behind, 2-0, before rallying to win the Olympic tuneup. . . . Michelle Kwan of Torrance, first alternate on the U.S. figure skating team, has been added to the Sports Arena competition on April 7-8.

Austria bade farewell to skier Ulrike Maier, whose death in a crash last Saturday began a debate about the safety of World Cup downhill racing. Some 5,000 people, including Maier’s teammates, ski officials and fans, attended the funeral in her native Rauris, a small town south of Salzburg.

Tennis

Henri Leconte of France stopped Boris Becker’s comeback, defeating the three-time Wimbledon champion, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Marseille Open.

Top-seeded Michael Stich of Germany defeated Olivier Delaitre of France, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). Fifth-seeded Arnaud Boetsch of France topped compatriot Stephane Simian, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8), and Olympic champion Marc Rosset of Switzerland ousted countryman Jakob Hlasek, 6-2, 6-3.

Marketa Kochta, ranked 82nd, had the best day of her career by surprising third-seeded Gabriela Sabatini, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5, in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. . . . Top-seeded Sergi Bruguera of Spain struggled to a 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-1 second-round victory over Todd Woodbridge of Australia in the Dubai Open at the United Arab Emirates. . . . Martina Navratilova will switch to the New Jersey Stars and Bjorn Borg will play for the Atlanta Thunder in next summer’s World TeamTennis competition.

Names in the News

Utah Jazz center Luther Wright, hospitalized after a disorderly conduct arrest, is receiving psychiatric treatment for a chemical imbalance, and might not play again this season, a team official said.

Soccer star Maradona, at war with the press after allegedly firing an air rifle at reporters, was smuggled out of Argentina and went into hiding. Maradona, reportedly depressed and in physical pain from muscle injuries, lost his temper after being sacked this week by a club team for repeatedly failing to show up for practice.