Sports briefs for February 9, 2005

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005 | 9:59 a.m.

Chow says ciao to Southern Cal

USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow accepted a similar position Tuesday night with the Tennessee Titans, ending a successful four-year run that recently became overshadowed by his deteriorating relationship with Trojans coach Pete Carroll.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher received permission from owner Bud Adams on Tuesday evening to offer Chow the job, sources said. He will make about $900,000, more than double his base USC salary of $380,000.

Chow, 58, was in Utah and could not be reached for comment, but he's expected to be announced as the Titans' offensive coordinator today in Nashville, although he will not be present. Chow is not expected to start working with the Titans until Feb. 19.

Chow's relationship with Carroll became strained after the Trojans defeated Oklahoma 55-19 in the Orange Bowl, particularly when Carroll considered making Chow the assistant head coach and re-hiring Oakland Raiders quarterback coach Steve Sarkisian in the same position at USC with the additional title of offensive coordinator, sources said.

Alabama booster gets two years' probation

In Memphis, Tenn., a high school football coach who accepted $150,000 from an Alabama booster to steer his standout football player to the Crimson Tide was sentenced to two years' supervised probation and 500 hours of community service.

Lynn Lang was also fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to conspiring to get defensive lineman Albert Means to sign with the Crimson Tide in 2000.

Transsexuals welcome to play British Open

Transsexual golfers will be allowed to play in professional competitions such as the women's British Open following a review by the Ladies' Golf Union.

Players who get a sex change to become women will immediately be able to enter tournaments as long as they provide proof of gender, Andy Salmon, chief executive of the St. Andrews, Scotland-based ruling body for women's golf in Britain and Ireland, said in a phone interview today.

"For one or two individuals our gender policy will now present them with a realistic opportunity of competing at the top level of amateur or professional golf," Salmon said.

Denmark's Mianne Bagger, 38, became the first male-born golfer to play in a professional women's tournament at March's Australian Open. Bagger, who had a sex change in 1995 and turned professional in 2003, will play on the elite Ladies European tour this season after finishing in the top 10 at qualifying school in October. The Daytona Beach, Florida-based LPGA tour excludes players who weren't female at birth.

WNBA expands into Chicago

The WNBA awarded an expansion team to Chicago, returning women's professional basketball to the home of the Chicago Hustle.

The Chicago team -- its nickname will be announced later -- is owned by Michael Alter, and will begin play in 2006. It will be the league's 14th team and first new franchise since 2002.

Agassi beats Reynolds in first round

Andre Agassi defeated Bobby Reynolds, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round of the SAP Open in San Jose, Calif.

The second-seeded Agassi has won his first-round match in all 13 appearances at the event.

Third-seeded Tommy Haas dispatched Gregory Carraz, No. 4 Vincent Spadea beat Anthony Dupuis and No. 7 Jurgen Melzer advanced with a win over qualifier Glenn Weiner.