IN BRIEF

PRO FOOTBALL

Cable officially hired as coach of Raiders

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis on Wednesday formally introduced Tom Cable as his fifth head coach since 2003, in a news conference lacking the theatric vitriol of last year's rare public appearance by Davis, when he promoted Cable and fired Lane Kiffin four weeks into the season.

The Raiders also announced the hiring of several more assistant coaches, nearly completing Cable's overhauled coaching staff. Ted Tollner was named the Raiders' passing game coordinator, and veteran NFL assistant John Marshall will be Cable's defensive coordinator.

After finishing 4-8 as the interim coach last season, Cable gradually sold himself to Davis during a five-week process lengthened by the death of Cable's father. Although Davis said he strongly considered another candidate, Cable's enthusiasm and loyalty won over the Hall of Fame owner.

Also: Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson said he wants to leave Kansas City.

During an appearance on a local radio show, Johnson said he thought it was time for him and the Chiefs to "break ties." He said his departure would allow the Chiefs to find "what they want, and I can try to go on and rebuild my career and find what I want."

Former UNLV running back and kick returner Dominique Dorsey signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Redskins.

Dorsey had been playing in the Canadian Football League and was named the league's top special teams player last season with the Toronto Argonauts. Despite missing five games, he still led the CFL in all-purpose yards.

Dan Reeves, 65, who played and coached for the Dallas Cowboys, had been at the team's facility this week in anticipation of joining the organization in some capacity. But the team said that wasn't happening, noting the two parties couldn't reach agreement on contract details.

LOCAL COLLEGES

San Diego State rolls to win over Lady Rebels

The UNLV women's basketball team had 27 turnovers and gave up 10 3-pointers in an 83-58 loss to host San Diego State in a Mountain West Conference game.

The Lady Rebels (9-12, 2-6) trailed 17-6 less than four minutes in and 39-24 at the half. UNLV got no closer than that the rest of the way, with the Aztecs (15-5, 6-2) matching the final margin of 25 on three occasions.

Shamela Hampton led UNLV with 17 points. Jene Morris scored 19 for San Diego State.

Also: The College of Southern Nevada opened Scenic West Athletic Conference softball play by sweeping North Idaho College 5-4 and 4-2, playing on a neutral field in St. George, Utah.

The Coyotes (5-2, 2-0 SWAC) are 13th in the national junior college rankings.

BASEBALL

Yankees' Jeter says team supports A-Rod

New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter wants to reiterate it again: Alex Rodriguez has the support of his teammates.

Rodriguez became an offseason focal point again with the release of former manager Joe Torre's book, "The Yankee Years."

Torre mentioned that some people in the Yankees clubhouse referred to Rodriguez as "A-Fraud."

"Like I've said before, we all support Alex. He's our teammate," Jeter said after working out at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Fla.

Also: Boston Red Sox backup first baseman and outfielder Mark Kotsay had back surgery to remove a displaced disk fragment.

Red Sox spokeswoman Pam Ganley said Kotsay isn't expected to miss much of the season. The surgery was performed Jan. 29.

Right-hander Brian Bannister and the Kansas City Royals agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,737,500, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing.

The Colorado Rockies found the right-handed hitter they were seeking, acquiring Matt Murton from the Oakland Athletics for minor league infielder Corey Wimberly.

Murton has a .288 career average with 28 home runs and 106 RBIs. He was among four players Oakland acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Rich Harden trade in July.

MISCELLANEOUS

NHL trying to help cash-strapped Coyotes

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is trying to help the financially struggling Phoenix Coyotes and called reports of the franchise's demise "ridiculous."

Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes has been seeking buyers for the Coyotes, who reportedly are losing more than $30 million per year.

With the NHL's help, the team is attempting to renegotiate its Jobing.com Arena lease with the city of Glendale, Ariz., in an apparent effort to make the deal more attractive to potential buyers.

Also: The Wranglers got out to a 3-0 lead en route to a 4-2 win over the Victoria Salmon Kings in an ECHL game in Victoria, British Columbia.

Tyler Mosienko's goal seven minutes into the second period proved to be the game winner for Las Vegas (21-18-4). Justin Taylor, Dan Spang and Chris Ferraro also scored for the Wranglers.

Former Wranglers goaltender Mike McKenna made his first NHL start, coming up short in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 4-3 loss to the host Pittsburgh Penguins. The Lightning led 3-0 early in the third period before the Penguins stormed back.

McKenna made his NHL debut Tuesday, stopping all 11 shots he faced after entering in the second period of a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders.

Three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player and four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie will retire after her upcoming 12th season with the Los Angeles Sparks.

The 36-year-old center announced her decision accompanied by her husband and 19-month-old daughter.

UNLV's Elliot Wronski was named Mountain West Conference men's tennis Player of the Week, the fifth time he has received the honor.

Wronski combined to go 4-0 in singles and doubles last week in victories over San Francisco and Nebraska.