McDaniels withdraws from Browns’ search

CLEVELAND (AP) — Josh McDaniels’ second chance as an NFL head coach won’t be with the Browns.

McDaniels, labeled a favorite to take over in Cleveland, removed himself from consideration for the Browns’ opening Wednesday, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. McDaniels pulled his name after learning he was not the front-runner for the job, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

ESPN first reported McDaniels’ withdrawal.

McDaniels interviewed with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner last weekend, when the Patriots had a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. McDaniels, fired as Denver’s coach in 2010 after 28 games, confirmed he met with the Browns but did not elaborate on the interview and said “I’m fortunate to have the job I have and I love being here. I love doing what I’m doing.”

Mattingly to return as Dodgers’ manager

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Don Mattingly will be back as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers next season with a new three-year contract that takes him through 2016, quieting speculation that his future with the club was somehow in doubt.

A person familiar with the agreement, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized, said Mattingly is getting a raise from the $1.4 million he was to earn next season under his old deal. By comparison, Yankees manager Joe Girardi, entering his seventh season in New York, is starting a $16 million, four-year agreement after completing a $9 million, three-year deal.

Mattingly had sought the stability of a multiyear deal.

Petrino to return to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Western Kentucky’s Bobby Petrino has accepted an offer to return to Louisville as head football coach, a move the Cardinals could make official Thursday morning.

The University of Louisville Athletic Association must approve Petrino’s hiring and is scheduled to meet Thursday morning. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that, “Petrino is the choice.” Jonathan Blue, a Louisville board of trustee, told the AP that “if it’s a done deal, I’m totally behind” the decision.

Petrino, 52, returns to the school he led to a 41-9 record from 2003-06 as a first-time head coach. He has an 83-30 career record as a college head coach, including an 8-4 mark last season with the Hilltoppers, his first position since his April 2012 firing by Arkansas amid scandal.

Johnny Manziel declares for NFL draft

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Johnny Football is heading to the NFL.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel declared for the NFL draft following two spectacular seasons in which he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy and helped the Aggies make a splash in their first two years in the Southeastern Conference.

Some NFL draft analysts have Manziel ranked as high as the third overall pick in mock drafts.

In a style befitting his record-setting career, Manziel led the Aggies to a 52-48 come-from-behind win over Duke in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl on New Year’s Eve in his final college game. Texas A&M trailed 38-17 at halftime before Manziel guided them to the victory by finishing with 382 yards passing with four TD tosses and 73 yards rushing and another score.