Scott dumped by Hornets...Niners to face Bears...Falcons' coach fined...Top-25 contest tonight

WEST WEGO, La. (AP) The New Orleans Hornets have fired coach Byron Scott and named general manager Jeff Bower as his replacement. The Hornets also announced that former New Orleans head coach Tim Floyd, who Scott replaced, will be one of Bower's top assistants.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The San Francisco 49ers will be looking to halt a four-game skid tonight when they host Chicago in the NFL's Week 10 opener. After a 3-and-1 start, the Niners check in at 3-and-5 while the Bears bring a 4-and-4 mark into their first game at Candlestick park since 2003.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) A person familiar with the situation says Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith has been fined $15,000 by the NFL for a sideline altercation involving former Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league has not officially commented on the situation.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Twenty-third-ranked South Florida visits Rutgers tonight in the first college Football game of the week to involve a member of the AP Top 25. The visiting Bulls have lost three straight to the Scarlet Knights.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue (TAG'-lee-uh-boo) will chair a committee to determine if changes are needed in the way the U.S. Olympic Committee board operates. The USOC says it is turning to Tagliabue to lead an effort to assess the size, structure and operating practices of the board.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-12-09 1442CST | save this article / add to your favorites list