COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The struggling Columbus Blue Jackets have fired defensive-minded Ken Hitchcock, a year after the club made the postseason for the first time in history.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- For Dwight Freeney, South Florida is the perfect locale for a Super Bowl -- and a sore ankle.

NEW YORK (AP) -- A person familiar with the negations says the Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander have agreed to a five-year, million contract.

LOS ANGELES(AP) With his superstar hobbling and the Charlotte Bobcats refusing to go away, Phil Jackson never got terribly comfortable while becoming the winningest coach in Los Angeles Lakers history.

The secret to the Saints' success this season? Takeaways. Credit new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for giving New Orleans some swagger and a new obsession, says Don Banks.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Urban Meyer heard all the rumors. That he'd never coach another game. That he would resign immediately after National Signing Day. That Meyer told a recruit he would die happy if he died coaching that player.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Urban Meyer heard all the rumors. That he'd never coach another game. That he would resign immediately after National Signing Day. That Meyer told a recruit he would die happy if he died coaching that player.

The rich got richer on National Signing Day -- particularly Florida and USC, writes Stewart Mandel. UCLA and Tennessee did surprisingly well, while the Big Ten as a whole came up short.

"Beverly Hills, 90210's" Ian Ziering has changed his Facebook status from being "in a relationship" to "engaged."

Every new book from Don DeLillo is a literary event, but some are more eventful than others.

The winners always say it, but what happens to the Oscar nominees who are left gamely smiling in their seats?

"Zombieland" isn't the first film to riff on the undead. Edgar Wright's "Shaun of the Dead" beat it by five years ... and did it a whole lot better.

If the renovation of Jennifer Aniston's home is any indication, the actress doesn't appear in any rush to settle down.

Despite its moniker, reality television has rarely been intended to give you the real story. But with Kelly Cutrone, what you see is what you get.

Mel Gibson's mouth may have landed the actor in hot water once again.