Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger meets with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

The NFL is weighing possible disciplinary action against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who met with league Commissioner Roger Goodell one day after learning he won’t be charged in the alleged sexual assault of a Georgia college student.

Roethlisberger described the Tuesday afternoon meeting in Manhattan, N.Y., as “very productive,” but gave no hint whether he expects to be suspended or fined for several off-field incidents that damaged his reputation and angered the franchise he’s led to two Super Bowl championships.

“It’s a very serious matter, one we take serious,” Roethlisberger told ESPN as he and his representatives left the meeting with Goodell.

While Roethlisberger faces no criminal charges after being accused of assaulting the 20-year-old student in a nightclub bathroom, in a separate case he also is being sued in civil court by a former Nevada hotel employee for an alleged sexual assault in 2008. No criminal charges were filed in that case.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the league will review the facts and will follow up with Roethlisberger and the Steelers. He gave no timeline.

Possible options include a suspension, fine or having the $102-million quarterback undergo counseling or rehabilitation.

“Commissioner Goodell met today with Ben Roethlisberger and his representatives to discuss the recent incident involving his personal conduct,” the league said in a statement. “In accordance with the league’s personal conduct policy, our office will review all the facts and follow up at the appropriate time with the Steelers and Ben.”

Brandon Marshall signed his $2.521-million tender from the Denver Broncos, a move which could help facilitate a trade for the mercurial wide receiver. The Broncos slapped a first-round tender on Marshall, but teams were unwilling to part with a first-round draft pick as compensation to lure the restricted free agent out of Denver.

Marshall posted his third consecutive 100-catch season last year and made his second straight trip to the Pro Bowl despite several run-ins with coach Josh McDaniels.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, announced his retirement after 11 seasons.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NCAA investigators have met with West Virginia officials regarding possible rules violations within the football program.

West Virginia athletics spokesman Michael Fragale said Tuesday the university is cooperating with the NCAA during the investigation. He declined to say what prompted the investigators’ visit or when it took place.

“West Virginia University and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to operating its athletic program in conformance with the legislation and policy of the NCAA and the Big East Conference,” Fragale said. “No additional comments will be made regarding the matter at this time.”

Bill Stewart became the West Virginia football coach in 2007, taking over for Rich Rodriguez, who left for Michigan after that season. Under Rodriguez, the Wolverines are being investigated by the NCAA for five potentially major rules violations, including those limiting the time spent on practice and football-related activities.

A reporter attempted to ask Rodriguez for comment on the report Tuesday at his weekly news conference, and was cut off by director of media relations Dave Ablauf before the question was finished.

“We’re going to pass on that,” Ablauf said.

Rodriguez did not respond.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Brad Brownell of Wright State was hired as the men’s basketball coach at Clemson, which is turning to another coach from a mid-major school in Ohio.

Brownell succeeds Oliver Purnell, who was hired in 2003 from Dayton and led Clemson to the past three NCAA tournaments. Purnell surprised Clemson last week when he left to coach DePaul.

Wake Forest has selected Colorado’s Jeff Bzdelik as the Demon Deacons’ new coach, a person familiar with the deal said Tuesday.

Bzdelik has been in Winston-Salem, N.C., since Monday, the person told the Associated Press, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement had not been made.

The school has a press conference scheduled for Wednesday to introduce its new coach.

Bzdelik spent 2 1/2 seasons coaching the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and most recently went 36-58 in three seasons at Colorado.

His expected hiring comes a week after Wake Forest fired Dino Gaudio because of what Athletic Director Ron Wellman described as a pattern of late-season fades.

Ekpe Udoh plans to bypass his senior season at Baylor and enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-10 power forward said he hasn’t decided on an agent, but does plan to hire one and be available in the June draft. Early projections have Udoh being a possible a lottery pick. Udoh averaged 13.9 points and 9.8 rebounds a game.

Melquan Bolding, Duquesne University’s third-leading scorer, has been released from his scholarship and will transfer to another school. Coach Ron Everhart said the decision was a mutual agreement reached during a postseason meeting with the 6-foot-3 guard, who averaged 11.8 points.

Hartford Coach Dan Leibovitz resigned after four seasons. ESPN reported that Leibovitz is expected to go back to his alma mater, Penn, where he would be the top assistant for Jerome Allen.

ETC.

Kasey Kahne has completed a deal to drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 but still needs to iron out his plans for next season, the Associated Press has learned. A person familiar with Kahne’s plans spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because portions of Kahne’s deal are still being worked out.

Most notably, it’s not clear where Kahne will drive in 2011. HMS is currently at NASCAR’s four-car limit, and Kahne is working out a deal to succeed Mark Martin in the No. 5 car in 2012. Martin has one more season left on an extension he signed last year, and owner Rick Hendrick plans to honor that deal.

Kahne, who made an appearance in California Tuesday on behalf of Infineon Raceway, was attending the San Francisco Giants baseball game Tuesday night and not immediately available for comment.

Earlier in the day, Richard Petty Motorsports announced that Kahne informed them he’s leaving the team at the end of this season.

Tiger Woods has taken the first step toward playing the U.S. Open by sending in his entry form. The USGA said it received Woods’ entry on Monday, one day after he tied for fourth in the Masters. It was his first competition in five months since he was caught cheating on his wife.

Even players such as Woods who are exempt from qualifying for the U.S. Open must apply to play. The deadline to enter is April 28.

The U.S. Open will be held June 17-20 at Pebble Beach, where 10 years ago Woods won by 15 shots and tied the tournament scoring record.