Associated Press
GREENSBORO ó Two seasons in the Atlantic Coast Conference, two coach of the year awards for Paul Johnson.
The Georgia Tech coach once again was the overwhelming choice as the ACC’s top coach as selected by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
Johnson received 24 of a possible 40 votes cast by ACSMA members, easily outdistancing his counterpart in this week’s ACC championship game. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney had 10 votes, followed by Duke’s David Cutcliffe (4) and Boston College’s Frank Spaziani (2).
– RALEIGH ó Record-setting Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams is the Atlantic Coast Conference’s rookie of the year.
– COLLEGE PARK, Md. ó Ralph Friedgen will get the opportunity to rebound from his worst season as Maryland’s head football coach.
Friedgen’s job status appeared shaky after the Terrapins lost a school-record 10 games this season. But after meeting for two consecutive days with athletic director Debbie Yow, Friedgen was given the go-ahead to make plans for a 10th season as coach at his alma mater.
NFL
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. ó New York Jets coach Rex Ryan brought in Yankees manager Joe Girardi as a special guest instructor to teach rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez how to slide.
After watching Sanchez struggle with some of his slides while avoiding pressure in recent games, Ryan called Yankees team president Randy Levine on Tuesday. He asked if the World Series champions could send someone over to the Jets facility to help their franchise quarterback.
NHL
CHICAGO ó Brent Seabrook scored in the 11th round of a shootout Tuesday night and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 to give coach Joel Quenneville his 500th victory.
Maple Leafs 3, Canadiens 0
MONTREAL ó Colton Orr and Jeff Finger scored in the first period. Joey MacDonald replaced Gustavsson to begin the second and stopped 18 shots to complete Toronto’s first shutout of the season.