Dabo Swinney Alleges Tampering; Osaka Withdraws from Australian Open

Clemson’s head coach, Dabo Swinney, has accused Ole Miss coach Pete Golding of tampering concerning linebacker Luke Ferrelli. Swinney claims to have forwarded evidence to the NCAA, stating, “If you tamper with my players, I’m going to turn you in.” Ferrelli originally committed to Clemson on January 6, 2023, but reentered the transfer portal just two weeks later to join Ole Miss. Swinney alleges that he possesses text messages from Golding sent to Ferrelli after the latter enrolled at Clemson.

Osaka Withdraws from Australian Open

In Melbourne, Naomi Osaka announced her withdrawal from the Australian Open before her scheduled third-round match against Maddison Inglis. Osaka cited the necessity to address a physical issue arising from her previous match. Expressing her disappointment, she acknowledged the significance of her run in the tournament but emphasized the need to avoid further injury. Osaka’s earlier appearance gained attention due to her distinctive outfit, and she had secured a tense victory against Sorana Cirstea in the second round.

The tournament continues to showcase intense competition, with Jannik Sinner also making headlines. Despite struggling with cramps and extreme heat, Sinner managed to secure a victory over Eliot Spizzirri with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Play was temporarily suspended to close the roof at Rod Laver Arena, which allowed Sinner a brief recovery period. He is set to face fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in the next round.

Coaching Changes and Player Updates in the NFL

In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills have interviewed Philip Rivers for their head coaching position following the firing of Sean McDermott. Rivers, 44, has no prior coaching experience at the professional level, having transitioned to high school coaching since his retirement. This marks the latest development in the Bills’ ongoing search for a new leader after McDermott’s tenure, which included eight playoff appearances in nine seasons.

Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is facing an uncertain future after re-injuring his right calf during a game against the Denver Nuggets. Antetokounmpo had previously missed eight games this season due to a similar injury. He experienced discomfort during the match, prompting expectations that he will undergo an MRI to assess the extent of the injury.

In collegiate sports, the College Football Playoff will remain at 12 teams for the upcoming 2026-27 season after the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten failed to reach an agreement on expansion. This decision allows more time for evaluation of the current format and potential future changes.

As winter weather looms, several sporting events have been rescheduled. The NBA has adjusted the start time for the Washington Wizards’ game against the Charlotte Hornets, while the NHL has moved a game between the Nashville Predators and the Utah Mammoth to an earlier time. The Atlantic Coast Conference also modified the schedules for three men’s basketball games due to the approaching storm.

In summary, this week’s sports landscape has been marked by significant allegations, withdrawals, and coaching changes, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the season across various leagues.