Sports briefs for June 2, 2003

Monday, June 2, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.

Pistons set to make Brown new coach

Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons got their man -- at Rick Carlisle's expense.

Larry Brown agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal with the Pistons over the weekend, a source within the NBA said Sunday, making Detroit his seventh NBA stop and 10th big-time coaching job.

Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said the team would introduce its new coach today at an afternoon news conference at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Dobek would not confirm Brown's hiring.

An hour before the team announced Carlisle's firing Saturday, the source, who had knowledge of the discussions between the Pistons and Brown, told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity that Brown would be hired.

Newman hangs on for win at Dover

Ryan Newman lost his power steering, but not his determination, and held off Jeff Gordon to win Sunday at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.

The victory in the MBNA 400 gave Newman what he hopes will be the momentum to move into contention in the Winston Cup points race.

Penn State backup killed in car crash

Penn State backup quarterback Gregory Hennigar was killed after his car hit a parked tractor-trailer over the weekend.

Hennigar, 18, was driving alone when he crashed early Saturday morning in northeast Philadelphia, police department spokesman Sgt. Roland Lee said Sunday.

Hennigar was a walk-on who redshirted last season -- his first. He played in the team's Blue-White scrimmage on April 26, completing three of 11 passes for 27 yards.

Simoni wins in Italy

Gilberto Simoni of Italy won the Giro d'Italia on Sunday for the second time in three years after building a huge lead in the Alps.

A climbing specialist, Simoni completed the three-week race with a 21-mile time trial that amounted to a victory lap in an event leading to next month's Tour de France.