Barkley blasts his alma mater on race. Former NBA star Charles Barkley, never one to mince words, is blasting his alma mater for hiring a new football coach he says was based on race and not athletic credentials. Auburn University, had a chance to hire Buffalo University’s Turner Gill, a Black man who led a losing team to its first championship, but opted for Iowa State’s Gene Chizik, a White man who eked out a 5-19 record in two seasons with the Cyclones. Granted, Chizik was the defensive coordinator at Auburn four years ago when the Tigers finished with a 13-0 record and ranked No. 2 in the country, but Barkley’s not satisfied. “I think race was the No. 1 factor,” said Barkley, who played basketball for three seasons at Auburn during the early 1980s. “You can say it’s not about race, but you can’t compare the two resumes and say [Chizik] deserved the job. Out of all the coaches they interviewed, Chizik probably had the worst resume.” Chizik replaces Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville, who won 85 games over the past decade but was forced to resign earlier this month. Gill, a former Nebraska quarterback, took over one of the country’s worst programs at Buffalo three years ago. He guided the Bulls to an 8-5 record and their first MAC championship this season, upsetting previously unbeaten Ball State 42-24 in the Dec. 5 conference championship game. Barkley has suggested that Gill’s White wife might have been a factor in Auburn’s decision to pass on the former quarterback.

Kings fire Theus. The Sacramento Kings have fired head coach Reggie Theus, the second Black head coach to lose his job in less than a week and the third of six since the season began. The Sacramento Bee reported Monday that Theus will be replaced, at least temporarily, by Kings assistant Kenny Natt. Kings also have fired assistant Chuck Person, according to ESPN. Under Theus, the Kings have stumbled to a 6-18 record this season. Last year, Theus left New Mexico State University, and led Sacramento to a surprising 39-43 record. That’s a far cry from their current position, last place in the Pacific Division. Theus is the sixth NBA coach to lose his job this season, joining Maurice Cheeks (Philadelphia), Randy Wittman (Minnesota), Sam Mitchell (Toronto), Eddie Jordan (Washington) and P.J. Carlesimo (Oklahoma City).

Manny Ramirez taking “serious offers.” An agent for baseball star Manny Ramirez says the player is accepting bids after the L.A. Dodgers general manager laid out his latest offer. The recently traded Ramirez helped the Dodgers to a successful season, and GM Ned Colletti proposed a two-year, $45 million contract to bring him back. But Scott Boras says Ramirez won’t bite unless L.A. sweetens the deal. “On behalf of Manny Ramirez, we will, for the first time, begin accepting serious financial offers on Friday,” Boras said Thursday. Reports suggest that the Dodgers may guarantee Ramirez a third year and an increase in their offer, though Colletti said the initial proposal could be withdrawn. Ramirez, 36, ended a tumultuous career in Boston before joining L.A. this year.

Sacramento’s Reggie Theus must pay $25,000. Retired NBA player Reggie Theus knows that athletes are penalized big bucks for dissing refs. But it’s in his Sacramento coaching capacity that Theus will have to cough up $25,000 after critical comments this week. The Kings will also pay $25,000 as a team after Theus called it “ridiculous” that Detroit shot 36 free throws to Sacramento’s 17. The criticism came following the Pistons 100-92 win against the Kings. The fines were announced on Thursday.

Bengals receiver says Donavan McNabb influenced him. Following an off-season that found him criticizing the organization that hired him, a NFL player thanks an opponent for showing the way. The former Chad Johnson, who legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco, says Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb helped him see the light. McNabb reminded Ocho Cinco that many would choose to trade places with the Bengals star, who wanted out of his contract. “Donovan was a big influence,” Ocho Cinco tells The Philadelphia Inquirer. “(He) really is one of the reasons why I really turned myself around and looked at my situation as more of a positive … thinking about all the people that would love to play this game, you know?” Calling McNabb a close friend, Ocho Cinco says they talk often. Even with team losses, Ocho Cinco says, he’s keeping focused.