Former Steelers coach Cowher elected to Pro Football HOF
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cowher, an analyst for CBS, was surprised by the announcement made live on air in studio before the Tennessee Titans-Baltimore Ravens AFC divisional round playoff game Saturday night. Hall President and CEO David Baker delivered the news to Cowher during CBS’s “The NFL Today” pregame show broadcast. Cowher was the coach of the Steelers for 15 seasons from 1992 to 2006, and led them to 10 playoff appearances including two Super Bowls and winning one — beating Seattle in 2006. His Pittsburgh teams won nine division titles.

Browns remains coachless as 2-week search drags on
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
The Browns remain coachless. Cleveland’s coaching search appeared to end Friday when the team met with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He was the eighth candidate to interview with the Browns. McDaniels has been connected with the Cleveland job two previous times and he might be ready for his second shot at coaching an NFL team after a bumpy two seasons in Denver. At this point, Cleveland does not have any more scheduled interviews. The team is also looking for a new general manager after firing John Dorsey a few days after dismissing coach Freddie Kitchens.

Usually when people hear the term “R&R”, they think of one of two things:

1. Rest & Relaxation (or sometimes Recreation)
2. Rock & Roll

But in the case of outgoing WPIAL Executive Director Tim O’Malley, the two R’s that he spoke about on the January 11 edition of the Saturday Sports Slam were realignment–which the league needs to have in place within a couple months–and retirement, which O’Malley will be doing effective this July.

O’Malley spoke extensively about the survey recently sent out to all schools in the WPIAL regarding football realignment, giving each school district their choice for either a format similar to that of the last few years under a six-classification system, or a newer, geographically-based system that disregards classification.

During his interview, O’Malley also spoke with Matt Drzik & Greg Benedetti about his decision to retire, his replacement in Amy Scheuneman, and the recent passing of his longtime co-worker and friend, Charles ‘Ace’ Heberling.

To hear the full interview, click on the player below!

All-Star Bell gets raise to $4.8 million from Pirates
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell turned his breakout 2019 season into a hefty raise for 2020. Bell will make $4.8 million in 2020 after avoiding arbitration and agreeing to a one-year deal with the club. Bell’s signing was the most significant on a busy day for new Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. Pittsburgh reached agreements for 2020 with all eight arbitration eligible players, including reliever Keone Kela, starting pitchers Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove and second baseman Adam Frazier.

(MOON TOWNSHIP/AP) Josh Williams had 20 points as Robert Morris romped past St. Francis (NY) 78-52. Williams hit 6 of 8 3-pointers. He added eight rebounds. AJ Bramah had 16 points for Robert Morris (7-9, 3-0 Northeast Conference). Yannis Mendy added 13 points. Jalen Hawkins had six rebounds for the hosts. St. Francis (NY) scored 22 points in the second half, a season low for the team. Rob Higgins had 11 points for the Terriers (7-7, 1-1), whose four-game winning streak was snapped.

Pitt signs basketball coach Jeff Capel to 2-year extension
Pittsburgh basketball coach Jeff Capel has agreed to a two-year contract extension that could keep him with the Panthers through the 2026-27 season. The deal gives Capel more time to continue the rebuilding project he took on when he arrived at Pitt in the spring of 2018. Capel is 24-23 with the Panthers including a 10-4 mark so far this season. Interest in the program has spiked since he came on board. Average attendance at the Petersen Events Center has doubled under his tenure compared with the final season of predecessor Kevin Stallings.

George Perles, longtime Michigan State coach, dies at 85
By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer
Longtime Michigan State football coach George Perles has died at the age of 85. Perles coached the Spartans to a Rose Bowl victory in 1988 after helping the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowls as an defensive assistant. Perles played football at Michigan State and later was an assistant, head coach, athletic director and member of the school’s governing body. He won Big Ten titles in 1987 and 1990 as coach and guided the school to seven bowls. He stepped down from the Michigan State board in 2018, citing his age and his struggles with Parkinson’s disease.