Let go after five seasons: The New Orleans Hornets have fired coach Byron Scott and named general manager Jeff Bower as his replacement. In a statement released today, owner George Shinn says the move gives the Hornets the best opportunity “to reach our goals this season.” The Hornets also announced that former head coach Tim Floyd, who Scott replaced, would be one of Bower’s top assistants. New Orleans lost 124-104 at Phoenix on Wednesday, falling to 3-6. When Scott took over as coach following the 2003-04 season, he was the Hornets’ third coach in three seasons. He was the NBA coach of the year in 2008, when Chris Paul led the Hornets to a 56-26 record.
Lake Charles’ Jackson among those charged: Three freshman Tennessee football players are charged with an attempted armed robbery. According to Knoxville police, defensive backs Janzen Jackson and Mike Edwards and wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson and were arrested after the early morning incident. Jackson, a native of Lake Charles, had committed to LSU before changing his mind and signing with Tennessee in February. Jackson was suspended for the Volunteers’ game last Saturday for violating team rules. The victims told police they were sitting in their parked vehicle at a gas station near Tennessee’s campus when two males, one brandishing a handgun, approached. The two suspects demanded whatever the victims had. When the victims showed they had no money, the suspects joined a third man in a Toyota Prius and left. Police located a Toyota Prius matching the description and the victims identified Richardson and Edwards as the men who approached the vehicle. Officers say they found a pellet gun, drug paraphernalia and a plastic bag containing what appeared to be marijuana. Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton says he is evaluating the incident.
Going to Miami? Jim Trotter, who covers pro football for Sports Illustrated, has the New Orleans Saints picked to go to the Super Bowl. Trotter predicts the Saints will win the NFC South Division and beat the Minnesota Vikings in the conference championship game. But he picks the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Saints 27-24 in Super Bowl XLIV. Trotter doesn’t think the Saints will have an undefeated season. ” The Saints have showed plenty of grit in recent weeks by rallying from large early deficits, but at some point they’re going to dig a hole that’s too deep to get out,” Trotter says. He predicts the Saints will go to 12-0 before losing Dec. 13 on the road to the Atlanta Falcons. Read the full column here.
