Sanchez, Jets agree on five-year contract

The New York Jets and former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez reached an agreement on a five-year contract Wednesday. The Jets made the announcement while Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft in April, was still at practice during the afternoon session of mini-camp.

Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available, but it was expected to be for quite a bit less than the $41.7 million in guarantees Detroit gave top pick Matthew Stafford as part of a six-year deal worth up to $78 million.

The Minnesota Vikings never told Brett Favre to make up his mind by this week if he wants to play, according to Coach Brad Childress. Childress called into local radio station KFAN during his drive to work and rebutted an ESPN report that he had mandated Favre determine his status for the 2009 season this week.

The NCAA has denied Cincinnati receiver Vidal Hazelton’s request to be eligible to play this season. NCAA rules require players who transfer from one major college team to another to sit out one season.

Hazelton transferred to Cincinnati from USC to be closer to his cancer-stricken grandfather in Georgia. The NCAA said there was not sufficient evidence that Hazelton was responsible for taking care of his grandfather.

TENNIS

Murray wins

Top-seeded Andy Murray defeated Andreas Seppi, 6-1, 6-4, in the second round in the grass-court tournament at Queen’s Club in London. Lleyton Hewitt rallied to beat Frederico Gil, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, to set up a match against Andy Roddick. Both are four-time champions.

Murray will play 16th-seeded Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, who downed Gilles Muller, 7-6 (3), 6-3. Nicolas Mahut upset fifth-seeded Marin Cilic, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (4) after losing one of his rackets before the match.

Tommy Haas defeated fourth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-3 7-6 (3), to advance to the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.

Maria Sharapova’s bid to reach the third round of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England, was delayed by rain, with the former Wimbledon champion leading Alexa Glatch, 6-3, 5-4, before a downpour halted play.

HOCKEY

Stars fire Tippett

The Dallas Stars fired coach Dave Tippett, the first major move by the team under new General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk.

A person familiar with the decision confirmed the firing to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team was not releasing the news.

Francois Allaire, the goaltending consultant who was instrumental in helping the Ducks’ Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller, is joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in a similar role.

Three Molson brothers confirmed they have made an offer to buy the Montreal Canadiens, the Gillett Entertainment Centre and the Bell Centre.

JURISPRUDENCE

McIntyre cleared

A misdemeanor exposure charge against Buffalo Bills fullback Corey McIntyre will be dropped after authorities in West Palm Beach, Fla., say a witness offered questionable statements.

Pittsburgh prosecutors have dropped a misdemeanor drug charge against Steelers wide receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes.

ETC.

Willard moves

Ralph Willard was named associate head coach at Louisville after he resigned as Holy Cross head coach, both universities announced.

In 10 seasons at Holy Cross, Willard won 62% of his games, compiling a 192-117 record.

Vista Murrieta’s Kevin Dougherty won a playoff against Cole Seeger of Westlake Village Westlake and Michael Weaver of Clovis West to win the state individual boys’ golf title at Poppy Hills Golf Club in Pebble Beach after all three had shot a two-under 70 through 18 holes.

Carlsbad La Costa Canyon won the team title.

-- Ben Bolch

Legendary swim coach Richard Quick, a dominant figure at the collegiate and Olympic levels, has died. He was 66.

Quick was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in December. He won 13 NCAA team titles, coaching at Texas, Stanford and Auburn.

-- Lisa Dillman