Plaxico Burress’ furlough bid likely to be blocked

Former Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress wants to get a break from prison, but prosecutors said Tuesday they will likely try to block his bid for work release because he hasn’t served enough time.

The former New York Giant applied for a work furlough -- which would let him spend some portion of his time at home -- on Nov. 25, about two months into his two-year sentence for carrying an unlicensed gun that went off and wounded him at a Manhattan nightclub.

State prison system officials are expected to decide on his request next month.

Prosecutors said the bullet narrowly missed a security guard at the club, and they insisted on at least a two-year prison term.

A quick furlough would send “a very bad message,” Manhattan Chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Mark Dwyer said Tuesday.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Strong said to be Louisville choice

Louisville is expected to hire Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong as its new football coach, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.

Strong would replace Steve Kragthorpe, who was fired Nov. 28 following three disappointing seasons.

The Portland State Vikings have named Nevada defensive coordinator Nigel Burton as their new head coach. Burton replaces Jerry Glanville, who resigned last month after going 9-24 over three seasons at Portland State. The Vikings were 2-9 overall and 1-7 in the Big Sky this last season.

Stanford Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby says he is confident Coach Jim Harbaugh is not a candidate for the opening at Notre Dame. In an e-mail Tuesday, Bowlsby says he has talked to Swarbrick and Harbaugh’s agent, Jack Bechta, to confirm Harbaugh is not a candidate to replace Charlie Weis. . . . Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly posted on his Twitter feed he had not interviewed with Notre Dame.

No. 1 Alabama’s Rolando McClain has won the Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker. The junior is the leader of the nation’s top scoring defense and helped guide the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference championship and a spot in the BCS national title game against No. 2 Texas. . . . Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach.

Mississippi Coach Houston Nutt said he “appreciates the interest” but he is not pursuing the Kansas head coaching job.

HOCKEY

Androl expected back after arrest

Kings TV personality Heidi Androl, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Monday and missed Monday night’s telecast, is scheduled to return to the air for the Kings’ next home game. Mike Altieri, the Kings’ vice president of communications and broadcasting, declined further comment, as did a spokeswoman for Fox Sports.

SURFING

Long wins Aikau contest on Oahu

San Clemente’s Greg Long, who has established himself recently as the world’s premier big-wave surfer, used a late rally to win the prestigious Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau contest at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore.

Long, after surviving a near-sheer drop down the 40-foot face of one of the larger set waves, received a perfect 100 in the event’s final heat and that helped propel him past second-place finisher Kelly Slater.

The contest, which is held only when waves are deemed large enough to honor the memory of the legendary North Shore waterman, was given a green light for only the eighth time in 25 years.

-- Pete Thomas ETC.

Water polo event begins today

The women’s water polo Holiday Cup begins today in Newport Beach, featuring five of the top 10 ranked nations.

The defending world champion U.S. team will join silver medalist Canada and bronze winners Russia, as well as the Netherlands, the defending Olympic champion, Italy and Australia. The event runs through Sunday at Corona del Mar High.

World Cup slalom champion Jean-Baptiste Grange will miss next year’s Vancouver Olympics because of a knee injury that will force him to undergo an operation.