Cooper quits as USC women's hoops coach
LOS ANGELES - Michael Cooper quit as Southern California women's basketball coach on Wednesday after his first losing season in four years.
Athletic director Pat Haden said a national search will be conducted for Cooper's replacement. Haden is also seeking a men's basketball coach to replace Kevin O'Neill, who was fired in mid-January.
The Trojans' women's team went 11-20 this season and finished seventh in the Pac-12 with a 7-11 record. Cooper was 72-57 overall at USC, which has had eight coaching changes since 1976.
"USC women's basketball has a storied heritage, with national championship teams and some of the best players in the history of the sport," Haden said. "We believe we should be competing for Pac-12 championships and NCAA bids on a consistent basis."
Cooper's most successful season was in 2010-11, when the Trojans went 24-13 for their most wins since 1993-94 and reached the WNIT title game. Their 18 road wins set a school record. They failed to reach the postseason in his other three years.
"This program has to move forward, and it should have moved forward under my leadership. The best thing is for me to step down," Cooper said. "Coaching these young women at USC has been a wonderful experience for me."
Cooper came to USC from the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, where he served as coach for eight seasons including back-to-back league championships. He starred with the Los Angeles Lakers as a player, winning five NBA titles.
San Jose State fires men's basketball coach
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose State has fired men's basketball coach George Nessman after eight seasons with the Spartans.
Athletic director Gene Bleymaier announced the move on Wednesday, a day after San Jose State's season ended with a 67-49 loss to UTSA in the WAC tournament in Las Vegas.
The Spartans went 9-20 this season, their second straight campaign with only nine wins. Nessman had an 86-161 record in his tenure and led the team to the College Basketball Invitational in 2011.
San Jose State is looking to upgrade the program before its move to the more strenuous Mountain West Conference next season.
Alabama AD hospitalized for heart issues
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama athletic director Mal Moore has been hospitalized with heart problems.
University spokeswoman Debbie Lane said Wednesday that Moore has been admitted to Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham for tests and treatment "regarding pulmonary problems." She said no further information was available on the 73-year-old's status.
The AD spent two days in DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa in August with an irregular heartbeat. His doctor, James B. Robinson, said at the time that the tests came back negative and Moore was cleared to return to work immediately.
Moore has led his alma mater's athletic department since 1999 and hired Nick Saban, who has led the Crimson Tide to three national titles.
U.S. women beat Germany for Algarve title
FARO, Portugal - The United States women's soccer team won the Algarve Cup for the ninth time, beating Germany 2-0 in Wednesday's final at Faro, Portugal thanks to two goals from Alex Morgan.
Morgan scored both goals in the first half as the American women won their first significant tournament under new coach Tom Sermanni, who took over in late 2012.
Backup goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart protected the lead with some strong saves in the second half.
Wire reports
