Newsmakers
Charged Former University of Georgia football coach Jim Donnan used his influence to get high-profile college coaches and former players to invest $80 million into a Ponzi scheme, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday. Donnan and a business partner convinced investors to put money into a liquidation company that bought and resold appliances and furniture, the SEC said. Among the coaches Donnan helped attract were Texas State football coach Dennis Franchione, Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer, ex-Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer and Texas Tech football coach Tommy Tuberville.
Voted Florida A&M University wants to try to settle a family’s lawsuit against the school over the hazing death of a band member. FAMU trustees voted to instruct attorneys representing the university to enter a voluntary mediation session with attorneys for the parents of Robert Champion. Champion died last November after Marching 100 members allegedly beat him during a hazing ritual.
Extended The Philadelphia Flyers and forward Wayne Simmonds agreed on a six-year contract extension. Simmonds had 28 goals and 49 points last season. It was his first year with the Flyers after he was obtained from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade.
Announced Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said he has no interest in returning as head coach of the U.S. national team for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Auriemma said he was honored to get the job and ecstatic with the results, but described his interest level in doing it again as “zero.”
• Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags will begin his stallion career at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky. The 2,000-acre farm in Versailles, Ky., made the announcement on its website. Union Rags, owned by Phyllis Wyeth, retired last month because of a tendon injury in his left front leg. He had a record of five wins in eight starts and total earnings of more than $1.7 million.
Expected The son of soccer great Diego Maradona is close to joining a third-division Argentine club. Diego Sinagra Maradona – often known as Diego Junior – is expected to join the club El Porvenir.