Oilers Give Fisher Two-Year Contract Extension

The Houston Oilers, who went from 2-14, the NFL’s worst record in 1994, to a respectable 7-9 in 1995, have given Coach Jeff Fisher a two-year contract extension.

Fisher, a former assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers who was a defensive back for USC in the early 1980s, was the Oilers’ defensive coordinator when he took over as head coach midway through the 1994 season. He signed a three-year contract on Jan. 5, 1995.

The two-year contract extension, unprecedented in club history, takes Fisher, 38, through the 1999 season.

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Atlanta Coach June Jones, who took the Falcons to the playoffs after a 9-7 season in 1995, was also given a two-year contract extension. Jones signed a three-year contract when he took over the team Jan. 24, 1994. . . . The Detroit Lions signed unrestricted free-agent punter Rich Camarillo and waived punter Bryan Wagner.

Hockey

The St. Louis Blues signed free-agent left winger Joe Murphy, 28, to a multiyear deal. Murphy scored 22 goals and added 29 assists for the Chicago Blackhawks last season. . . . The Dallas Stars signed free-agent forwards Pat Verbeek and Dave Reid. Verbeek is a 14-year veteran who had 41 goals and 41 assists for the New York Rangers last season. Reid, 32, posted career highs with 23 goals and 21 assists while playing for Boston. . . . The Phoenix Coyotes signed free agent defenseman Brad McCrimmon to a one-year contract and re-signed center Craig Janney to a multiyear deal. The team also said it won’t re-sign forward Eddie Olczyk and defenseman Craig Muni.

Jurisprudence

Lawrence Phillips, the St. Louis Rams’ top draft pick, pleaded not guilty at Rio Hondo Municipal Court in El Monte to misdemeanor drunk driving. Trial was set for Aug. 28.

At the Michael Irvin trial in Dallas, defense attorney Kevin Clancy cross-examined the first witness, police officer Matthew Drumm.

Clancy asked Drumm about five meetings that officers involved in the drug-possession case had with prosecutors and suggested “Y’all got your stories straight.”

Said Drumm: “That almost sounds like we made something up. No.”

Former San Diego Charger defensive end Leslie O’Neal is on trial in San Diego in a civil suit brought by Christy Barsoom, 33, a former topless dancer. Barsoom claims O’Neal grabbed her crotch and lifted her in the air during an argument at a San Diego nightclub last year.

Barsoom is seeking unspecified damages. O’Neal, now with the Rams, denies the allegations.

Former UCLA and NFL lineman Luis Sharpe, in danger of being sent to prison for violating terms of his probation, had drugs in his system when he was shot by an unknown assailant last month, prosecutors alleged in Phoenix.

Sharpe, 36, was arrested June 28 after recovering from his second gunshot wound in less than a year.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler guard Terry Long reneged on a deal his attorneys won for him, and therefore must stand trial on charges of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Washington Redskin wide receiver Leslie Shepherd has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of battery for punching Cindy Lynn Spataro, 23, of Frostburg, Md. She said Shepherd broke her nose during an argument in a parked car.

University of Miami special teams player Tremain Mack faces a July 12 arraignment in Texas on a bad-check charge, the Miami Herald reported. In the past month, five Hurricane players have been suspended and two kicked out of school.

Basketball

Gerald Wilkins and Eric Murdock were released by Vancouver as the Grizzlies decided not to pick up options on their contracts, worth about a combined $5 million.

Chick Hearn, the voice of the Lakers since 1961, and broadcast partner Stu Lantz were given two-year contracts that also include option years beyond that.

Names in the News

Mark Johnson will make his first defense of the International Boxing Federation flyweight title against Mexican flyweight champion Raul Juarez on Aug. 5 at the Forum. . . . Jerry Stitt, assistant baseball coach at Arizona for 18 years, has been named head coach. . . . Surprise Wimbledon semifinalist Meredith McGrath was selected as an alternate for the U.S. Fed Cup team that will play Japan in the semifinals July 13-14.