DURHAM, N.C. – Duke fired head football coach Carl Franks on Sunday, Oct.19, and named defensive coordinator Ted Roof interim head coach for the rest of the season.
The Blue Devils (2-5 thus far) were 7-45 in four-plus seasons under Franks, including 29 consecutive ACC losses. Duke fell behind ACC foe Wake Forest 42-0 at halftime Oct. 18 at home before falling 42-13.
The Blue Devils are averaging 15 points per game, last in the conference. Their two wins came over Rice and Division I-AA Western Carolina.
Mavs trade for Walker
DALLAS – Antoine Walker is now a Dallas Maverick. Mark Cuban’s team acquired Walker, a three-time all-star, in a five-player trade Oct. 20.
In return for Walker and guard Tony Delk, the Celtics get Raef LaFrentz, Jiri Welsch, Chris Mills, and Dallas’ first-round pick in 2004.
Walker joins new Maverick Antawn Jamison at the forward position. The Mavericks have led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons but have yet to make it to the finals.
The projected starting five in Dallas are Walker, Jamison, shooting guard Michael Finley, point guard Steve Nash, and seven-foot center Dirk Nowitzki.
Two Yankees to be charged
BOSTON – Police will seek assault and battery charges against New York Yankees reliever Jeff Nelson and outfielder Karim Garcia for an incident that occurred Oct. 11 in the visitors’ bullpen in Fenway Park.
Paul Williams, a part-time member of the Fenway grounds crew, alleges the two attacked him for rooting for the Red Sox during the American League Championship Series. Williams was treated in a Boston hospital and released.
The players involved said that Williams provoked them.
Garcia and Nelson were in Miami for Game 3 of the World Series when Boston police made the decision.
Irbe Sent to Minors
RALEIGH, NC – Goaltender Arturs Irbe, who helped the Carolina Hurricanes reach the Stanley Cup finals in 2002, was assigned to Johnstown, Pa., of the ECHL.
A two-time All-Star, Irbe was 7-24-2 last season and was a major problem in Carolina’s descent from first to worst in the Southeast Division.
Irbe is second in wins among European goalies with 213 in 558 career games, behind Dominik Hasek of the Detroit Red Wings.
Irbe has played for San Jose, Dallas, Vancouver, and Carolina.