Nine Michigan State players face charges

Authorities charged nine Michigan State football players with misdemeanor assault and conspiracy Wednesday as a result of a dormitory brawl last month that has left the team short-handed for its Jan. 2 bowl game.

All nine players were charged with conspiracy to commit assault and battery, according to Ingham County prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III and campus Police Chief James Dunlap. Each was also charged with at least one count of assault or assault and battery.

Coach Mark Dantonio has suspended 11 players, up from eight following the Nov. 22 incident. Two days afterward, he dismissed running back Glenn Winston and defensive back Roderick Jenrette, both of whom have been charged in the incident.

University of Tennessee officials say they are “cooperating fully” with the NCAA in its investigation into some of the school’s football recruiting practices.

The New York Times reported on its website the NCAA is probing the use of hostesses by Tennessee to attract top players. The NCAA has met with four prospects and is expected to talk to two more this week.

Cornerback Dominique Franks plans to return for his senior season at Oklahoma, while some of his defensive teammates are waiting to make their decisions.

Former Florida State star tailback Dexter Carter is among four Bobby Bowden assistant coaches not being retained after the Gator Bowl. Incoming head coach Jimbo Fisher is cleaning house after the Jan. 1 game. Carter, the Seminoles’ running backs coach the last three seasons, is out along with longtime Bowden assistant and former North Carolina State coach Chuck Amato, strength coach Todd Stroud and defensive ends coach Jody Allen.

University of Texas officials agreed to raise Coach Mack Brown’s salary from $3 million to at least $5 million.

Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has won the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman.

JURISPRUDENCE

More on McCourt spousal support

Jamie McCourt will have a chance to argue for temporary spousal support in April, her attorney said. The Times reported Tuesday that Frank and Jamie McCourt had reached agreement on “interim support,” citing a court filing by Frank McCourt’s lawyers. Dennis Wasser, the attorney for Jamie McCourt, said that agreement would provide his client with stopgap funding for now while postponing a hearing on the issue of temporary support until April. Temporary support is granted until a judge makes a final decision on all aspects of the divorce proceedings.

-- Bill Shaikin

A Compton Superior Court judge decided there was enough evidence to hold former Lakewood High running back Jerry Stone and co-defendant Lawrence Blake for an arraignment Dec. 23 on two counts of attempted murder in connection with a drive-by shooting in August in which no one was injured.

-- Ben Bolch BASEBALL

Orioles trade for Rangers’ Millwood

The Texas Rangers sent pitcher Kevin Millwood and about $3 million to Baltimore for reliever Chris Ray, giving the Orioles a durable starter and cash to help pay for him. Texas also got a player to be named in a deal where money was a major factor. . . . Andy Pettitte is staying with the New York Yankees, agreeing to an $11.75-million, one-year contract. The left-hander, 37, made $10.5 million last season and helped the Yankees win their 27th World Series title.

ETC.

2 of Jones’ medals given to others

Olympic leaders reallocated two individual medals stripped from Marion Jones because of doping, but withheld the 100-meter gold from disgraced Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou.

The executive board awarded Jones’ gold in the 200 meters and bronze in the long jump from the Sydney Games to the next-place finishers, but denied Thanou the 100 gold because she was at the center of her own drug scandal at the 2004 Athens Games.

A House subcommittee approved legislation aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine its national champion.