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Sports in Brief: Army fires football coach Ellerson

Army fired coach Rich Ellerson after five seasons at West Point and no victories against Navy. Army athletic director Boo Corrigan said Ellerson was notified that he would not be retained Sunday night, about 24 hours after the Black Knights (3-9) finished the season with a 34-7 loss to Navy.

Rich Ellerson was fired for a 20-41 record in five seasons at Army, and fo never beating Navy. (Matt Rourke/AP file photo)
Rich Ellerson was fired for a 20-41 record in five seasons at Army, and fo never beating Navy. (Matt Rourke/AP file photo)Read more
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Army fired coach Rich Ellerson after five seasons at West Point and no victories against Navy.

Army athletic director Boo Corrigan said Ellerson was notified that he would not be retained Sunday night, about 24 hours after the Black Knights (3-9) finished the season with a 34-7 loss to Navy.

Ellerson, 60, went 20-41 at the U.S. Military Academy and couldn't snap the Black Knights' losing streak against their most important rival. The Midshipmen have won 12 straight in the series, the longest streak by either side.

Army seemed to be closing the gap on its most important rival when it lost in 2011 and '12 by a total of nine points. On Saturday in the snow at Lincoln Financial Field, Navy dominated again and it was clear Ellerson was in trouble.

  Senior wide receiver Quron Pratt (Palmyra) was named Rutgers' most valuable player at the team's awards banquet. Pratt finished the season with 31 receptions for 493 yards.

Sophomore running back Paul James (Glassboro) was named offensive MVP.

WINTER SPORTS The United States qualified for the men's curling tournament at the Sochi Olympics with an 8-5 playoff victory over the Czech Republic in Germany.

Reigning Olympic champion Steven Holcomb remained perfect this season, driving USA-1 to victory in a World Cup four-man race in Lake Placid, N.Y. Holcomb has driven to victory in all seven of his World Cup starts this season.

Veteran Mario Matt of Austria protected his first-run lead to win a World Cup slalom race in France. It was another disappointing day for the United States. Neither Ted Ligety, who finished the first run in 39th, nor Bode Miller, who went off course, qualified for the second run.

GOLF Sergio Garcia shot a final-round 68 to beat Henrik Stenson by 4 strokes and win the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club.

The team of Matt Kuchar and Harris English set a tournament course record by finishing at 34 under at the Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Fla. They beat Retief Goosen and Fredrik Jacobsen by 7 strokes.

SOCCER Danny Welbeck's double steered Manchester United to a 3-0 victory at Aston Villa to halt a four-game winless run in the Premier League.

- Staff and wire reports

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