Titans, Fisher Agree to Extend Contract

Tennessee Titan owner Bud Adams was frustrated with his coach after a 1-4 start last season, but a turnaround that took Tennessee to the AFC title game made him happy enough to extend Jeff Fisher’s contract through the 2006 season.

Fisher said Wednesday morning that he and Adams have reached an agreement but are working out details.

Terms were not disclosed, but the deal reportedly will put Fisher among the NFL’s highest-paid coaches. Washington’s Steve Spurrier and Detroit’s Steve Mariucci lead the league at $5 million a year.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers signed offensive lineman Marvel Smith to a contract extension. Terms were not disclosed

Hockey

Colorado Avalanche star Peter Forsberg will be back for at least one more season after agreeing to a one-year deal.

After becoming the first Swedish player to earn the Hart Trophy as league MVP last season, Forsberg said he wasn’t sure if he wanted to play a 10th season with the Avalanche or return to his homeland. Forsberg signed a deal believed to be worth about $11 million.

The New York Islanders re-signed rugged forward Eric Godard to a two-year contract.... The Florida Panthers claimed right wing Valeri Bure off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

College Football

USC quarterback Brandon Hance was released from the hospital after being treated for a viral form of spinal meningitis.

“I’m eating fine, and if I’m laying down or sitting down, I feel OK,” Hance said. “When I stand up, I’m pretty light-headed.”

Hance said he went to the campus health center Friday after suffering severe headaches.

The viral form of spinal meningitis is not as problematic as the bacterial form of the illness.

Hance said he hopes to resume summer classes and light workouts next week. USC opens fall practice Aug. 5.

Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer was in an Atlanta hospital, two days after seeking medical attention for chest pains.

Beamer was vacationing with his family at his lakefront home near Atlanta when he started having chest pains Monday night, Virginia Tech director of football operations John Ballein said.

A statement from the hospital, posted on Beamer’s Web site, said he was admitted “for observation and further studies.”

The statement also said Beamer underwent a coronary exam that showed no major blockages.

College Basketball

UCLA’s 2003-04 schedule will include 14 games against nine of last season’s NCAA tournament teams.

The Bruins will play three teams that made the Elite Eight -- Kentucky at the Wooden Classic on Dec. 6, Michigan State on Dec. 20 in Pauley Pavilion and Arizona in two Pacific 10 Conference games.

UCLA opens at home against Vermont on Nov. 29.

Baylor center Patrick Dennehy has not been seen or heard from in more than two weeks, Bear Coach Dave Bliss said.

The Waco Police Department is asking for anyone with information regarding Dennehy’s whereabouts to contact them. Dennehy, from Santa Clara, sat out last season after transferring from New Mexico.

Miscellany

Former Dallas Maverick forward Roy Tarpley, who was banned from the NBA in 1995 for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, has applied for reinstatement.

Troy Dumais added the men’s 3-meter semifinals to his list of accomplishments at the U.S. National Diving Championships at Indianapolis.

Dumais, who won the event at April’s World Championship trials, advanced to the finals with 647.13 points, outdistancing Mark Ruiz, 581.55, and Caesar Garcia, 570.03.

Laura Wilkinson was first in the semifinals of the women’s 10-meter platform with 499.11 points. Sara Hildebrand was second with 448.80.

Stanford senior Ryan Garko received the Johnny Bench Award as the nation’s top catcher. Garko batted .402 with 18 home runs and 92 runs batted in.

Lightweights Roque Cassiani (21-12-1, 15 knockouts) and Luis Lizarraga (31-27, 23 KOs) will meet in a scheduled eight-round fight in the main event of a six-bout Golden Boy Promotions card at the Irvine Marriott tonight.