Minnesota’s Wacker Calls It Quits

Jim Wacker took over at Minnesota five years ago, determined to lead the Gophers to the Big Ten title, the Rose Bowl and whatever other glory was out there.

He resigned as coach Tuesday, his team having lost six consecutive conference games, his hopes shattered.

“For whatever reason, it didn’t happen,” he said. “But the main reason is the guy you’re looking at.”

*

New Mexico State Coach Jim Hess was fired, four years after leading the Aggies to their first winning season in 14 years.

“I’m not upset, I’m not even hurt about it,” said the 59-year-old Hess. “Tom Landry got fired. I think Don Shula got fired. Even Jimmy Johnson got fired after two Super Bowls.”

The Aggies are 1-9 this season and 0-4 in the Big West Conference.

*

An Arizona football player has been sentenced to two years probation and 100 hours of community service for hitting a woman wearing the Oregon State Beavers’ mascot costume during a game last year.

Frank Middleton pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of harassment in connection with the incident. He was charged after hitting Marri Hollen, a woman dressed in Oregon State’s “Benny Beaver” costume, on Nov. 4, 1995.