Briefs | Track & field coaching legend John McDonnell to retire

Track and field

McDonnell has guided Arkansas to 42 national titles: Arkansas coach John McDonnell, who has led the Razorbacks to 42 national championships and 83 conference titles, will retire at the end of the outdoor season, school officials announced Monday.

McDonnell, 69, has won more national championships than any other collegiate coach in any sport.

"It is hard to imagine that any coach in intercollegiate athletics has had more influence on a program than John McDonnell has had on the men's track-and-field program at the University of Arkansas," athletic director Jeff Long said. "It is impossible to quantify Coach McDonnell's contributions as a coach, educator and mentor."

McDonnell's most recent NCAA-title team was in 2006 in indoor track; his team won the SEC indoor title in 2007 for his most recent conference championship.

The Razorbacks' program received sanctions from the NCAA last year, though the university has appealed the judgment.

Under McDonnell, the university developed first-rate facilities. First to open was the $6.5 million Randal Tyson Track Center, an indoor facility that has been host to NCAA and SEC championships.

College basketball

Drake hires Arizona State assistant Phelps: Arizona State assistant Mark Phelps was hired as Drake's coach, replacing Keno Davis.

Phelps' hiring came less than a week after Davis — voted coach of the year by The Associated Press media panel — departed after one season to coach Providence. Drake officials said Phelps, 42, was their top choice.

Stanford interviews Oliver: Stanford assistant Doug Oliver became the first candidate to interview for the Cardinal's coaching vacancy. Trent Johnson, a former Washington assistant, left Stanford to coach Louisiana State.

Koufos to declare for draft: Ohio State center Kosta Koufos will declare for the NBA draft. But the 7-foot freshman will not immediately sign with an agent, school officials said, giving him the option to return to the Buckeyes next season.

St. John's players to transfer: Guards Larry Wright and Mike Cavataio intend to transfer from St. John's to other schools after the spring semester.

Women's basketball

U.S. beats South Korea: The U.S. team, coached by former Storm coach Anne Donovan, beat South Korea 92-56 to improve to 2-1 at the Good Luck Beijing Tournament in China.

Sylvia Fowles led the Americans with 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds; teammate Lisa Leslie added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Swin Cash of the Storm contributed six points and four rebounds.

The U.S. team outrebounded South Korea 57-18.

College football

Tennessee QB has elbow surgery: Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton had arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow and is expected to be ready to work out with the team by early June.

Tennis

Querrey advances: American Sam Querrey reached the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters by defeating 10th-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Cycling

Dominguez wins Tour de Georgia's opening stage: Toyota-United rider Ivan Dominguez of Cuba won the 71.8-mile opening stage of the Tour de Georgia. He needed 2 hours, 30 minutes, 18 seconds to complete the stage from Tybee Island to Savannah.

Soccer

Parreira exits: Carlos Alberto Parreira, 65, a Brazilian hired last year to coach South Africa's team, will return home because his wife is ill. He will leave his post May 2 but remain as a technical adviser to the team.

Brazilian Joel Santana, 59, will replace Parreira as South Africa's coach.

Horse racing

Prado, Nafzger are part of Hall of Fame class: Edgar Prado, best known as the rider of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, and trainer Carl Nafzger were selected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and will be inducted Aug. 4. Prado and Nafzger each appeared on the ballot for the first time.

The rest of this year's class includes retired jockey Ismael "Milo" Valenzuela and three horses — Ancient Title, Inside Information and Manila.

Seattle Times news services