Capers Apparently Hired as Coach of Panthers

The expansion Carolina Panthers apparently have chosen Pittsburgh Steeler defensive coordinator Dom Capers as their first head coach.

Only no one will say so. And, under risk of a huge fine, they better not.

The Panthers on Monday wouldn’t confirm numerous print and broadcast reports that they settled on Capers after spending months unsuccessfully courting former Washington Redskin coach Joe Gibbs.

Capers, involved all day in team meetings, wasn’t talking, either. Steeler Coach Bill Cowher also wouldn’t discuss the reports but he wouldn’t deny them, either.

“This organization, Dom included, will have no comment until our season is over,” Cowher said.

Under NFL rules, a team cannot talk to another team’s coaches until that team’s season is over.

However, with the Philadelphia Eagles also said to be interested in Capers, the architect of one of the NFL’s most aggressive and successful defenses, the Panthers apparently decided they couldn’t risk waiting any longer.

The Panthers contacted the Steelers for permission to talk to Capers, but apparently didn’t talk directly to team President Dan Rooney, a proponent of the anti-tampering rule. It is more likely the permission came from Cowher.

The Panthers are scheduled to appear at a hearing in New York today to review potential violations of the league’s anti-tampering policy.

The Panthers face a fine of up to $100,000 and the possible loss of draft choices. They currently have the top pick in the draft. The Steelers also could be subject to sanctions should it be decided they cooperated with Carolina.

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Cleveland Brown quarterback coach Rod Dowhower took a break from playoff preparations to be introduced as Vanderbilt’s 23rd head coach.

Dowhower received a five-year deal for $250,000 annually, including base salary and radio and television money.

Earlier in the day, former Vanderbilt coach Watson Brown was named coach of Alabama Birmingham.

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The Buffalo Bills fired defensive coordinator Walt Corey.

Women’s Basketball

Angela Barden scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead North Carolina Charlotte to a 60-50 victory over UCLA in front of 312 at UCLA.

Markita Aldridge had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Lisa Gerton added 12 points for Charlotte (7-2), which won despite committing 31 turnovers to 16 for the Bruins.

Kisa Hughes led UCLA (5-4) with 15 points and seven rebounds. Nickey Hilbert added nine points for the Bruins, who led, 26-24.

Tennis

Defending champion Stefan Edberg defeated Ronald Agenor of Haiti, 6-2, 7-6 (10-8), in the opening round of the $625,000 Qatar Open in Doha, Qatar. Also reaching the second round was Sweden’s Magnus Larsson.

Miscellany

Center Greg Kite signed a one-year contract with the New York Knicks. . . . Francis (Hap) Moran, a former NFL All-Pro whose 91-yard run from scrimmage in 1930 is the oldest team record for the New York Giants, died at a nursing home in New Milford, Conn. He was 93.

Canada won its third consecutive world junior hockey championship. The unbeaten Canadians defeated Russia, 8-5, in Red Deer, Canada, then clinched the title when Finland rallied to tie Sweden, 3-3 in Calgary. The Swedes had to win to have a mathematical chance of catching the Canadians in the standings.