The Houston Texans hired former Eagles coach Ray Rhodes as assistant defensive backs coach yesterday.
The 57-year-old Rhodes coached the Eagles for four seasons and the Green Bay Packers for one. He was the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks from 2003 to 2005 and was an adviser for the team for the last two seasons.
Rhodes suffered a mild stroke before the start of the 2005 season.
*
Rex Ryan, 45, has rejoined the Baltimore Ravens as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator.
The son of former Eagles coach Buddy Ryan was rehired by new head coach John Harbaugh, the former Eagles' secondary coach who has replaced head coach Brian Billick.
Elsewhere. Coach Romeo Crennel has agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, his agent said. Ryan Pontbriand of the Browns was added to the AFC squad as the long snapper for the Feb. 10 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Cedrick Wilson withdrew a protection order against Lindsey Paulat, his ex-girlfriend, after they agreed to have no contact with each other and share custody of their 1-year-old daughter. She had kept police at bay outside Wilson's Pine Township, Pa., home during a nearly 12-hour standoff that ended with her surrender earlier this month. . . . A temporary restraining order against Randy Moss by Rachelle Washington, his longtime friend, was extended in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., until March 28 while the New England Patriots receiver is in Arizona preparing for the Super Bowl.
Colleges
Larry Smith, who led Southern Cal to Rose Bowl appearances in his first three seasons coaching the Trojans (1988-90), died at age 68 in Tucson, Ariz., after a lengthy fight against leukemia. Mr. Smith also coached at Tulane, Arizona and Missouri, posting a 143-126-7 overall record.
Missouri senior guard Stefhon Hannah, the Tigers' leading scorer, remained hospitalized with a broken jaw after a brawl outside a nightclub in Columbia, Mo., early Sunday morning. He is expected to be out for four to six weeks.
Kansas football coach Mark Mangino, 51, was expected to be released from a Lawrence hospital today after undergoing undisclosed tests.
Olympics
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius of South Africa has virtually given up his fight to compete at the Beijing Olympics and is concentrating on running at the 2012 London Games.
