January 29, 2026 4:31 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns hired Todd Monken as the franchise’s 19th full-time head coach, wrapping up a three-week search. He replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired on Jan. 5, the day after Cleveland finished a 5-12 season. This is Monken’s first NFL head coaching job after 11 years in the league as an assistant. He spent the previous three seasons as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator. He first interviewed on Jan. 10 and had a second interview on Jan. 20. Monken previously served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019.
January 29, 2026 4:33 am
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Count New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft among those shocked that Bill Belichick reportedly will not be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In a statement to The Associated Press, Kraft said he believes Belichick’s accomplishments unequivocally merit election to the Hall on his first ballot. Citing unidentified sources, ESPN reported Tuesday that Belichick didn’t receive the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers. Tom Brady, who played under Belichick for 20 seasons and won six Super Bowl titles together, called that decision “completely ridiculous.”
January 27, 2026 2:06 am
The weekend snow storm wreaked havoc on the high school sports schedule to start this week. All Monday games were postponed along with many Tuesday contests. A handful of Washington/Greene County teams will play tonight though most games have been re-scheduled. Canon-Mac girls beat Mt. Lebanon, keeping pace with with Norwin atop the section. 2A Section 3 has a pair of games features playoff-positioned teams. Beth-Center clinched a playoff spot with its win over Carmichaels. Jeff-Morgan topped West Greene to stay within one game of first place Chartiers-Houston. Here’s the Tuesday Night Light lineup:
Girls
6A Canon-McMillan 47, Mt. Lebanon 36
Boys
3A McGuffey at Bishop Canevin, postponed (date to be determined)
2A-3 Beth-Center 59, Carmichaels 56
2A-3 Chartiers-Houston 65, Burgettstown 37
2A-3 Jeff-Morgan 50, West Greene 39
1A Summit Academy at Avella, postponed (date to be determined)
January 28, 2026 4:31 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike McCarthy is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pittsburgh native signed the contract on Tuesday after the two sides had reached a verbal agreement over the weekend. McCarthy, 62, replaces Mike Tomlin, who stepped down earlier this month after 19 seasons. This marks McCarthy’s third NFL head coaching role. He previously coached in Green Bay and Dallas. McCarthy’s postseason achievements include a Super Bowl win over the Steelers in the 2010 season. He takes over a team hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. The Steelers won the AFC North this season before being blown out in the opening round of the playoffs.
January 28, 2026 4:33 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Barry Dunning Jr. and Roman Siulepa each scored 15 points, Omari Witherspoon made a step-back jumper with 15 seconds left in overtime, and Pittsburgh beat Wake Forest 80-76 to end a three-game losing streak. Siulepa stole an inbounds pass along the sideline and raced the other way for a fast-break dunk to tie it at 66-all with 1:02 remaining in regulation. Wake Forest guard Juke Harris took the last shot of regulation, but his contested layup attempt was not close at the buzzer. Witherspoon was fouled after making a steal with 1:25 left in overtime and a review upgraded it a Flagrant 1, leading to two free throws and possession. Witherspoon went 1 of 2 from the free-throw line to pull within 76-75 and he was off on a 3-pointer.
January 28, 2026 4:31 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust has been suspended three games for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver’s Brock Boeser. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the ban Tuesday following a disciplinary hearing with Rust. Boeser is out at least a week after going on injured reserve. Rust lifted his right shoulder into Boeser’s head in the final seconds of the Penguins’ game at the Canucks on Sunday. Rust will forfeit $80,078 in salary with that money going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
January 27, 2026 3:56 pm
The Steelers made it official on Tuesday, introducing Mike McCarthy as their 17th head coach in team history. McCarthy becomes only the fourth head coach hired by the Steelers since 1969. “I am pleased to announce the hiring of Mike McCarthy as our next head coach,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “Mike brings a proven track record of success, championship experience, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a winning culture in the National Football League. McCarthy, who is a Pittsburgh native, has a 174-112-2 (.608) overall coaching record and has the fourth-most wins among active NFL coaches and 15th most in NFL history. McCarthy replaces long-time coach Mike Tomlin, who announced his plans to step down after the Steelers 30-6 wild card playoff loss to the Houston Texans on January 13th.
January 27, 2026 4:32 am
Penguins forward Bryan Rust faces possible discipline for a high hit on Vancouver’s Brock Boeser. The NHL Player Safety Department announced Monday that Rust will have a hearing to determine whether he delivered an illegal check to the head. Video shows that Rust came swooping in to a crowd of players and hit Boeser. It appears to show contact up high with Boeser, although it’s not clear that the contact happened with Rust’s elbow or his upper body. Boeser was slow to get up, and Rust was given a minor penalty for an illegal check to the head.
January 27, 2026 4:33 am
Shedeur Sanders has been selected as a replacement QB on the AFC’s roster for next week’s Pro Bowl Games, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the NFL has not announced roster changes. Yahoo Sports was the first to report on Sanders’ addition. Sanders played in eight games, and started the Browns’ final seven games, going 3-4. He had a 56.6% completion rate and 68.1 passer rating along with 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Sanders was not selected as one of the four alternate selections at quarterback when the rosters were first announced.
January 27, 2026 4:26 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — John Mobley Jr. scored 25 points to help Ohio State hold off Penn State 84-78. Mobley made 7 of 14 shots with five 3-pointers and all six of his free throws for the Buckeyes (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten Conference). He added five assists and three steals to help Ohio State prevail after blowing almost all of a 50-32 halftime lead. Eli Rice hit six 3-pointers and scored 20 to lead the Nittany Lions (9-11, 0-9), who have lost seven straight.
