Capel replaces Sampson at Oklahoma

Jeff Capel was hired as Oklahoma's men's basketball coach yesterday, resigning at Virginia Commonwealth to replace Kelvin Sampson and take over a program under NCAA investigation. Capel, 31, is a former Duke player who was 79-41 in four seasons as coach at VCU. He will replace Sampson, who was 279-109 in 12 seasons at Oklahoma before being hired as Indiana's coach March 29. The Sooners are awaiting a decision from the NCAA regarding more than 550 improper recruiting phone calls by Sampson and his staff . . . John Calipari has withdrawn from the North Carolina State coaching search and will remain at Memphis, a source close to Calipari told ESPN.com. It was unclear how much of a bump in salary, if any, Calipari would receive from Memphis . . . Nevada men's basketball coach Mark Fox agreed to a five-year contract, after guiding the Wolf Pack to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances . . . Point guard Devan Downey has decided to leave Cincinnati. Downey averaged 11.9 points and 4.3 assists as a freshman last season, Cincinnati's first in the Big East. . . . Saint Peter's men's basketball coach Bob Leckie retired after six seasons and a 67-107 record with the Peacocks . . . Providence College senior forward Karen Thatcher has been chosen as the winner of the Sarah Devens Award, presented annually to the Hockey East and ECACHL women's hockey player who best demonstrates leadership and commitment on and off the ice. Thatcher finished her career with 167 points in 132 games, and carries a 3.85 grade-point average . . . Dave Winfield, Pete Incaviglia, and Robin Ventura are among 46 nominees for the College Baseball Hall of Fame's inaugural class.

A University of Alabama football supporter convicted of bribing a high school coach to get a top recruit was found dead in his Memphis home. Police would not say how Logan Young, 65, died, but they were investigating it as a homicide and had no suspects or motive, said Sergeant Vince Higgins. The killing appeared to have happened overnight Monday. Young was free while he appealed his 2005 federal conviction on money laundering and racketeering conspiracy involving the recruitment of defensive lineman Albert Means.

Four minor league pitchers were suspended 50 games each by the commissioner's office for violating baseball's minor league drug program, the first penalties since the sport toughened its rules during the offseason. Two of the pitchers were in the Cincinnati Reds' organization: Ramon Ramirez and Justin Mallet. Also suspended were Waner Mateo of the New York Mets and Ryan Rafferty of the Kansas City Royals. None has ever pitched in the majors. Mallet was penalized for testing positive for a drug of abuse. The others tested positive for performance-enhancing substances.

The NFL has no immediate plans to rule on an appeal by Ricky Williams of a positive drug test that could result in the Miami running back's suspension for the 2006 season, the player's lawyer said. Lawyer David Cornwell and Williams met Monday with NFL counsel Jeff Pash in an attempt to have the league overturn the test. Cornwell said he and his client presented ''compelling evidence" showing that disciplining Williams would ''undermine the integrity" of the NFL's substance abuse policy . . . Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry is scheduled to stand trial May 30 in Orlando, Fla. on charges of carrying a concealed firearm. Henry was arrested in January after a police officer allegedly saw him pull a pistol on a group of revelers . . . The Seattle Seahawks re-signed punter Tom Rouen . . . Former Denver Broncos tight end Clarence Kay has been arrested for alleged domestic violence, Edgewater, Colo., authorities said. Kay allegedly got into a shoving match with his girlfriend Monday and rammed her head into a carport, a police spokesman said.

The PGA Tour event in Hartford was brought back to life with a new title sponsor and a spot on the FedEx Cup portion of the schedule starting in 2007. The Hartford tournament was not included in the main segment of the PGA Tour's new schedule and was either going to be cast into the secondary Fall Series of events or transformed into a Champions Tour event. It got a reprieve, however, when 84 Lumber decided not to continue sponsorship of its tour event in western Pennsylvania. That allowed Hartford and its new title sponsor -- St. Paul Travelers -- to fill the summer vacancy. It will be played June 21-24 next year on the TPC at River Highlands.

Chad Norris, crew chief for Matt Kenseth's Busch Series car, was fined $10,000 and suspended for three races because Kenseth's car failed its postrace inspection at Texas Motor Speedway. Kenseth, who finished fifth in Saturday's race, was penalized 25 Busch Series points and Jack Roush was docked 25 car owner points . . . NBA postseason rosters will expand to 13 this season, with teams deactivating one player before each game. In the past, they had to stick with the same 12-man roster throughout the postseason . . . Tina Thompson led all scorers with 28 points, and the United States women's basketball team beat Taiwan, 91-66, at a four-nation tournament in Canberra, Australia . . . Alexander Semin, who was sued by Washington for breach of contract when he decided to remain in Russia following the NHL lockout, has agreed to return to the Capitals next season . . . Matt Whitcomb of Worthington, Mass., has been named a development-level coach for the US Cross-Country Ski Team.