GRID: Jilted Vols hire La. Tech’s Dooley
Tennessee’s frantic search to find a new coach is over, and the Volunteers are turning to Louisiana Tech’s Derek Dooley. The son of former Georgia coach Vince Dooley, Derek Dooley went 17-20 in three seasons at Louisiana Tech and was the only coach in Division I to also serve as his school’s athletic director.
* Heisman Trophy runner-up running back Toby Gerhart announced that he will enter the NFL draft instead of staying at Stanford for a fifth season.
* Georgia Tech hired former Virginia coach Al Groh as its defensive coordinator. . . . Todd Grantham agreed to become Georgia’s defensive coordinator.
MLB: Dodgers settle up with Kemp
Outfielder Matt Kemp and the Dodgers have reached a preliminary agreement on a $10.95 million, two-year contract. The Dodgers also avoided arbitration with right-hander Chad Billingsley, who agreed to a $3.85 million, one-year deal.
* The Rangers and Brandon McCarthy agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million contract, avoiding arbitration for the injury-plagued pitcher . . . Infielder Jeff Keppinger has agreed to a $1.15 million, one-year contract with the Astros after filing for arbitration.
*Closer Heath Bell and the Padres agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration. Also, the Padres agreed to trade third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and a minor leaguer to the Athletics for outfielders Scott Hairston and Aaron Cunningham.
NFL: Saints sign Deuce, won’t play him
The Saints re-signed the team’s all-time leading rusher, Deuce McAllister, the day before they were to host the Cardinals in a divisional-round playoff game. Saints coach Sean Payton said McAllister won’t play, but they intend to make him an honorary captain for the game.
* Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco was added to the AFC’s Pro Bowl team, replacing the injured Wes Welker.
ETC.: Player who died had heart condition
Preliminary results from an autopsy show that Southern Indiana 21-year-old senior center Jeron Lewis, who collapsed during a Thursday night game at Kentucky Wesleyan and died at a hospital, may have died from a heart condition.
* In Honolulu, Ryan Palmer shot a 4-under 66 at the Sony Open for a one-shot lead over a group that included Chad Campbell, his practice partner before they came to Hawaii.
* In Sydney, top-seeded Serena Williams struggled in the Sydney International final, committing 40 unforced errors in a 6-3, 6-2 loss to fifth-seeded Elena Dementieva.