Gibbs will get help from Saunders

Joe Gibbs is turning over the reins of the Washington Redskins offense, a significant role change for the head coach who found himself trying to handle too many jobs. Al Saunders was formally introduced yesterday and given the title of ''associate head coach-offense." The former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator will call the plays and essentially replace Gibbs as the offense's chief game-planner . . . Tony Dungy needed one week to decide he still wants to be an NFL coach. The Indianapolis Colts said Dungy will return next season, ending speculation he might retire following the death of his 18-year-old son, James, last month . . . The Buffalo Bills made it official, naming former Swampscott High standout Dick Jauron head coach.

BASEBALL
Reds new owner fires GM O'Brien

General manager Dan O'Brien was fired by new Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini, his first major change since he took control of the team last week. O'Brien had a year to go on his contract . . . The Chicago Cubs and former Red Sox righthander Wade Miller agreed to a one-year contract that will pay $1 million in salary and up to another $1 million in bonuses based on the number of starts he makes . . . Another former Red Sox pitcher -- lefthander Casey Fossum -- avoided arbitration and agreed to a $4.5 million, two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays . . . Barry Bonds pulled out of the World Baseball Classic, saying he doesn't want to risk an injury that could jeopardize what might be his final season with the Giants . . . The Houston Astros will file a health insurance claim on Jeff Bagwell's contract, arguing that the four-time All-Star is too hurt to play this season. Bagwell, who is guaranteed about $17 million whether he plays or not . . . A collection of former Yankee great Joe DiMaggio's memorabilia, including World Series rings, his 1947 MVP award, and a signed photo of Marilyn Monroe will be auctioned off May 19 and 20 by Hunts Auctions . . . Rocco Graziosa, who punched Red Sox pitcher David Wells in a Manhattan diner in 2002 when Wells was with the Yankees, surrendered in New York to finish his sentence for misdemeanor assault.

COLLEGES
UConn men take over No. 1 in AP poll

With no unbeaten teams left, Connecticut took over the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press men's basketball poll. Two days after Duke, Florida, and Pittsburgh lost, the Huskies (16-1) moved from No. 3 to the top of the rankings . . . Boston College is at No. 20, and the Eagles' Craig Smith was named ACC co-player of the week along with Duke's J.J. Reddick . . . In the women's poll, UConn remained at No. 5 while Boston College, 22d a week ago, dropped out of the Top 25 . . . Maryland senior guard Chris McCray was suspended for the rest of the season because of academic reasons . . . Conference USA said officials ''exercised poor judgment" when they upheld a technical foul on Houston coach Tom Penders after he collapsed and was carried off the court during a game against UAB Saturday. Officials called the technical thinking Penders was reacting to a foul call.

Boston College extends York's contract

Boston College hockey coach Jerry York received a contract extension through the 2010-11 season. York is the third winningest coach in college hockey with 739 career victories . . . While Wisconsin dropped a pair of weekend games to Denver, BC used a pair of shutouts over Vermont to leapfrog the Badgers as No. 1 in the USCHO.com men's Division 1 hockey poll.

NBA
Bulls fan says he will not sue Davis

The Chicago Bulls fan whose confrontation with Antonio Davis's wife led the Knicks forward to rush into the stands will not sue the player and his family. In a joint statement, Michael Axelrod and the Davises said: ''It's clear that the episode at the United Center last week, and its aftermath, evolved from some misunderstandings. This has produced regrets from all parties involved." . . . The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Chucky Atkins.

HORSE RACING
Saint Liam is Horse of the Year

Saint Liam, the Breeders' Cup Classic champion, won the Eclipse Award as thoroughbred racing's Horse of the Year. Saint Liam won four of six races -- all Grade 1 stakes. Afleet Alex, who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes after finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, was voted top 3-year-old. Stevie Wonderboy, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, was chosen top 2-year-old. Folklore was named 2-year-old female; Smuggler 3-year-old female; Ashado won older female; Lost in the Fog was sprinter of the year; Leroidesanimaux was male turf horse; and Intercontinental was female turf horse. Todd Pletcher won trainer of the year, John Velazquez jockey of the year, and Michael Gill of Windham, N.H., owner of the year.

MISCELLANY
England's Eriksson out after World Cup

England soccer coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will resign after the World Cup. He had been on the job for 5 1/2 years . . . Lauren Cheney and Jessica Rodstedt scored two goals apiece as the US Under-20 women's soccer team beat El Salvador, 5-0, in Cordoba, Mexico, to qualify for the semifinals of the CONCACAF pre-world tournament . . . Tickets go on sale today for the World Men's Curling Championships April 1-9 at Lowell's Tsongas Arena box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (617) 931-2006, or at www.ticketmaster.com.