Assistant Coach

The Blast's coaching carousel has taken another spin. In is Tim Wittman as an assistant to recently named coach Bobby McAvan. Out is former assistant Billy Ronson. The team announced the change yesterday, but Ronson - a fan favorite as a player from 1985 to '92 - said McAvan let him go early Sunday at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, when the team was returning from a 17-10 loss Saturday in Dallas. Ronson spent the past four-plus seasons as an assistant coach and assistant general manager, mostly under former coach and current general manager Kevin Healey.

Maryland football South Carolina QB Rowe signs on to play for Terps After competing in nine camps in 10 days, Caleb Rowe finally found what he was looking for Wednesday. The quarterback, from Blue Ridge High in Greer, S.C., traveled to College Park, impressed the Maryland coaching staff during camp, earned a scholarship offer and promptly committed to the Terps. "I'm really excited," Rowe said Thursday. "It's a relief knowing I'm going to Maryland. … We don't have to worry about where I'm going and who's calling.

The title of Towson University men's basketball assistant coach isn't exactly what Baltimore-area native Jim Meil hoped for in his return to town. Towson has hired three head coaches during the past nine years. Each time, Meil has expressed interest in the job. He was a finalist in 1997 after 15 years as a Tigers assistant. That doesn't make him any less enthusiastic about his return as an assistant to Pat Kennedy. "Life goes on, and we learn from the past," said Meil, 46, whose appointment as an assistant was announced by the school yesterday.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The emphasis on football took a back seat to family for Navy's coaching staff and players when the team learned Friday that Bernadette Jones, the wife of assistant coach Keith Jones, died after a long battle with a respiratory illness. Keith Jones, a first-year cornerbacks coach, returned to Maryland to be with his family (including his two teenage daughters, Kristen, 18, and Kourtney, 14) and watched Navy's 58-12 victory over Army yesterday on television. "It was tough on all of us," Navy coach Paul Johnson said.

A year ago this afternoon, Monica Smith snuggled into a lounge chair on the M/S Dreamward's upper deck, shut her eyes and daydreamed about the week that had just passed: a wonderful cruise to Bermuda with her husband, Washington Bullets assistant coach Derek Smith, and their two children. As she woke, she spotted Derek nearby, conducting a basketball clinic.4 Her thought of that moment still brings a smile."As I looked at him," Monica said, "I said, 'My, I love him so much.' "But within hours, her family would be shattered.

The Israel Lacrosse Association has announced that Lauren Paul Norris, a McDonogh alumna and four-time Jewish All-American at Franklin & Marshall, has been named coach of the Israel national lacrosse team that will compete in the 2013 Federal of International Lacrosse Women's World Cup. “Lauren's resume really speaks for itself,” said Scott Neiss, director of the association. “We're extremely confident in Lauren's coaching ability, her passion for the sport and her commitment to developing the game in Israel.

Since Joe Brune arrived at Loyola High School in 1967, his football teams have won six titles.But Brune recently admitted that this, his 33rd season coaching the Dons, "has been a struggle."At times, the 65-year-old college adviser at the Towson-area private school said he has been unable to put a finger on why the Dons (5-5) have had to battle back to .500 despite returning plenty of talent."I believe in routine, repetition, getting kids to focus on getting the little things right," said Brune, who has been chosen All-Metro Coach of the Year three times.

Moves Baseball THE SPORTING NEWS: Named Cardinals' Walt Jocketty Executive of the Year. ANGELS: Agreed to two-year contract extensions with bench coach Joe Maddon, third base coach Ron Roenicke, first base coach Alfredo Griffin, hitting coach Mickey Hatcher and bullpen coach Orlando Mercado. Agreed to one-year extensions with pitching coach Bud Black and bullpen catcher Steve Soliz. BREWERS: Agreed to minor league contract with C Mark Johnson. CUBS: Named former Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly TV commentator.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski's big accomplishment this year was leading Duke to a second consecutive NCAA championship. His fans can collect his card (NBA Hoops No. 588), but be advised that it was issued because he's an assistant coach -- of the U.S. men's Olympic team. Seton Hall's P. J. Carlesimo, the other assistant coach, also has a card.

BaseballMariners: Recalled IF Giomar Guevara from Triple-A Tacoma. Signed IF-OF Domingo Cedeno to a one-year contract.BasketballNets: Signed F Jamie Feick for the remainder of the season.CollegeMaryland: Women's gymnastics head coach Bob Nelligan and assistant coach Wendy Marshall were honored as Southeast Region Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year.HockeySharks: Re-assigned D Shawn Heins to AHL Kentucky.Pub Date: 4/12/99