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COLLEGE FOOTBALL • Pittsburgh fired new football coach Mike Haywood on Saturday, a day after he was arrested at his home Friday on a domestic violence charge.
Haywood was released Saturday from St. Joseph County Jail on $1,000 cash bond after the charge was upgraded from a misdemeanor to felony domestic battery in the presence of a minor.
Within hours of his release, Pittsburgh put out a statement from Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg saying Haywood had been dismissed, "effective immediately."
Pittsburgh hired Haywood away from Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 16 to replace Dave Wannstedt, who resigned under pressure. Before his firing was announced, Haywood told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "It isn't fair. The truth will eventually come out."
Lights not out yet for Merriman in Buffalo
NFL • The Buffalo Bills announced Saturday that they've re-signed former star pass-rusher Shawne Merriman despite a nagging Achilles tendon injury that prevented him from playing a game in Buffalo over the final two months of the season.
Merriman has plenty to prove to regain his past standing as one of the NFL's most feared players, and his hard-hitting reputation that earned him the nickname "Lights Out." The Bills acquired Merriman off of waivers on Nov. 4 after a series of injuries led him to be released by the San Diego Chargers. Merriman didn't make it through his first practice with the Bills before aggravating his injury.
Vikings • The Minnesota Vikings have added wide receiver Bernard Berrian to the injury report, listing him as questionable for the game at Detroit with a quadriceps problem. The Vikings finish the season against the Lions on Sunday in what Brett Favre has said will be his last game. The 41-year-old quarterback is listed as doubtful, due to a concussion he sustained against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 20.
Giants • New York defensive end Justin Tuck and his wife weren't injured when their sport utility vehicle and another car collided in northern New Jersey on New Year's Eve.
Nadal beats Federer in Abu Dhabi final
TENNIS • Top-ranked Rafael Nadal started 2011 with a win over rival Roger Federer, winning 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) Saturday to defend his title at the World Tennis Championships exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Hopman Cup • Former No. 1 Justine Henin and Lleyton Hewitt made winning comebacks from injuries as Australia beat Belgium 2-1 in the Hopman Cup on Saturday in Perth, Australia. Henin beat Alicia Molik 6-4, 6-4 in her first singles match since hurting her elbow at Wimbledon in June and Hewitt beat Ruben Bemelmans 6-4, 6-3. Hewitt teamed with Molik to beat Henin and Bemelmans 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8) in the mixed-doubles decider.
Tottenham trying to lure Beckham home
SOCCER • David Beckham could be on his way back to England's Premier League — for a little while. Tottenham, where Beckham trained as a schoolboy before signing for Manchester United, wants to sign the former England captain on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy until the Major League Soccer season starts in March.
The Associated Press