Sweeney Retiring as Fresno State Coach

Jim Sweeney’s Irish eyes flickered between teary and twinkling Thursday when he announced he will retire as Fresno State football coach at the end of this season.

By then, Sweeney, 67, hopes to have his 200th victory, a goal that has been reached by only 15 other major college coaches.

Sweeney, whose Bulldogs are 2-4 this season, now has 198 victories in 32 seasons. Team members vowed to get him the needed two victories.

Health is keeping Sweeney from another goal, coaching at Fresno State for 20 years. Sweeney has had seven major operations in recent years, the most recent because of a near-fatal automobile accident last March that badly damaged a knee.

“Health has been a very difficult thing for me,” he said. “It takes me a while to get oiled and up.”

Sweeney’s overall record is 198-151-4 over 32 seasons, including stints at Washington State and Montana State.

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June Henley, whose production as Kansas’ leading rusher has fallen in recent weeks, was suspended after a drunk-driving arrest Thursday morning, Coach Glen Mason said in Manhattan, Kan.

Henley, a senior from Columbus, Ohio, is averaging 131.6 yards per game as the Big 12’s fourth-leading rusher. Henley was charged with operating under the influence, a municipal equivalent of driving under the influence; driving on an expired driver’s license, and failure to have proof of insurance. Police refused to disclose his blood-alcohol level. Henley was released on $850 bond.

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Utah rushing sensation Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will sit out Saturday’s game against Tulsa, and perhaps more. The 275-pound sophomore running back, whose late touchdown runs have rescued the 21st-ranked Utes in two consecutive games, apparently suffered a cartilage tear in his right knee last weekend against Texas Christian. It was not known when he would return.

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Boise State senior defensive tackle Sione Fifita was dismissed from the team for the rest of the season for breaking team rules, Coach Tom Mason said. Fifita was second on the team with 67 tackles and four sacks. . . . Clemson junior receiver Tony Horne, suspended two games this season for punching another student, has been dismissed from the team for the rest of the season. Coach Tommy West refused to elaborate.