Navy football coach takes job at Georgia Tech

New Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson is accustomed to winning the big rivalry games, something the Yellow Jackets haven’t done in a while.

The former Navy coach, unbeaten in six games against Army, was hired Friday to replace Chan Gailey, who had six consecutive winning seasons at Georgia Tech but was 0-6 against Georgia.

Johnson, the former Georgia Southern coach, does not need an introduction to the Georgia Tech-Georgia rivalry or the role it will play in his success.

“I’m not going to shy away from that one,” he said. “That’s a game that Georgia Tech needs to win and I embrace that.”

Johnson said he would not coach Navy in its Dec. 20 Poinsettia Bowl against Utah in San Diego. He told his Navy players of his decision Friday morning.

Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer will receive a raise and one-year contract extension through 2012.

The amount of the raise most likely won’t be worked out until after the Volunteers play in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, the university said.

Fulmer currently makes $2.05 million annually, with potential for bonuses for reaching or winning championship games and certain bowls.

Greg Schiano rejected overtures from Michigan and will remain the coach at Rutgers.

It marked the second time in less than a week that Michigan was rebuffed in its efforts to find a successor to Lloyd Carr. Les Miles decided to remain at Louisiana State last Saturday.

Texas A&M; regents approved a contract buyout Friday for former coach Dennis Franchione worth up to $4.4 million over three years.

Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy had a one-year contract extension unanimously approved by the Oklahoma A&M; Board of Regents, extending his deal through 2013.

Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker. The junior became the second Buckeyes player to win the award, joining Andy Katzenmoyer in 1997.

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JURISPRUDENCE

Taylor burglary was nearly aborted

The burglary that led to the shooting death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor almost didn’t happen when one suspect heard a noise and wanted to flee, an attorney close to the case said.

But the lawyer, Richard Sharpstein, said the alleged triggerman told police he was the cause of the noise and talked the others into continuing, leading to a confrontation early Nov. 26 that ended with a machete-wielding Taylor fatally shot.

Sharpstein said his information came from unreleased statements to police given by the four suspects in the case. They are being held without bail and face arraignment on murder and other charges Dec. 21.

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BASEBALL

Brewers get reliever Torres from Pirates

Salomon Torres, the majors’ most-used reliever in 2006, was dealt by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitching prospects Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts.

The 35-year-old Torres made a major league-leading 94 appearances in 2006 after pitching in 78 games in 2005 and 84 in 2004.

He had recurring problems with a sore right elbow last season, limiting him to 56 appearances. He was 2-4 with a 5.47 earned-run average.

Reliever Mike Timlin finalized a $3-million, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. Timlin, 41, was 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA and one save this season

The Atlanta Braves asked for waivers on right-handed pitcher Lance Cormier for the purpose of granting his unconditional release.

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GOLF

Austin-Calcavecchia share Shootout lead

Woody Austin and Mark Calcavecchia shot an eight-under-par 64 in modified alternate-shot play for a share of the first-round lead with Fred Funk and Jeff Sluman in the Merrill Lynch Shootout at Naples, Fla.

Tournament host Greg Norman and Bubba Watson were a stroke back, and defending champions Jerry Kelly and Rod Pampling opened with a 66 on the Norman-designed Tiburon Golf Club course. After a best-ball round today, the event will end Sunday with a scramble.

Candie Kung and Ayako Uehara beat Annika Sorenstam and Catriona Matthew, 3 and 2, in the Lexus Cup at Perth, Australia, to help Asia sweep alternate-shot play for a 6-0 lead over the International team.

The teams will play six best-ball matches today and the competition will end Sunday with 12 singles matches.

Amy Hung and Ji Yai Shin beat Brittany Lincicome and Maria Hjorth, 4 and 2, in the most-lopsided match of the day, and Jee Young Lee and Seon Hwa Lee beat Suzann Pettersen and Natalie Gulbis, 3 and 2.

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MISCELLANY

Predators’ Legwand gets big extension

Nashville Predators forward David Legwand signed a six-year, $27-million contract extension through the 2014-15 season. He holds franchise records with 304 points, 113 goals and 28 game-winning goals.

A World Cup women’s downhill scheduled for Aspen, Colo., was postponed one day because of heavy snow. The Super-G was scheduled for today. No decision had been made about when it will be run.