MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Jeff Grimes will become the offensive coordinator at his fourth school in eight seasons, leaving Kansas after one season to take the same job at Wisconsin, Badgers coach Luke Fickell announced Tuesday. Grimes directed one of the top rushing offenses in the Big 12 this season with the Jayhawks. He previously was offensive coordinator at Baylor from 2020-22 and BYU from 2018-20. He is a two-time finalists for the Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. Grimes replaces Phil Longo, who was fired last month.
ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia will be confirmed by FIFA as host of the men’s soccer 2034 World Cup on Wednesday, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The decision completes a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which FIFA president Gianni Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. FIFA and Saudi officials say hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women. A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting a three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup led by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. That bid also will win Wednesday in a combined approval for the 2030 and 2034 tournament hosts by applause from more than 200 FIFA member federations in an online meeting hosted from Zurich by Infantino.
DALLAS (AP) — The Texas Rangers have accomplished one of their primary offseason goals with a deal to re-sign Nathan Eovaldi, the winning pitcher in their 2023 World Series clincher. Texas has agreed on a $75 million, three-year contract with the right-hander, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical. Eovaldi became a free agent Nov. 4 after declining a vested $20 million player option for the 2025 season. The Rangers had expected that move, but said one of their priorities was to re-sign the Texas native who will turn 35 in February. The two-time All-Star got a $2 million buyout from that option, which was earned by throwing more than 300 innings over his two years with the Rangers after joining them in free agency.
Penn State University police will not charge retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce after investigating an altercation with a fan over a cellphone before a Nov. 2 home game between the Nittany Lions and Ohio State. University Police and Public Safety public information officer Jacqueline Sheader confirmed in an email to the Associated Press on Tuesday night that the case has been closed. The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported that the investigation was closed without charges against Kelce. Sheader’s email added that the individual in a video that went viral on social media has not been identified, and no one has come forward to police with a complaint about damage to personal property.
TUESDAY SCORES
NCAA MEN TOP 25
No. 1 Tennessee 75, Miami 62
No. 4 Duke 72, Incarnate Word 46
Arkansas 89, No. 14 Michigan 87
No. 15 Houston 62, Troy 42
Illinois 86, No. 20 Wisconsin 80