Stanford picks Lynn as assistant

Stanford hired Ron Lynn on Friday to be the team's new co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Lynn, who has 38 years of coaching experience in college and the pros, will share the defensive coordinator duties with linebackers coach Andy Buh. The two will replace Scott Shafer, who left last month to take the defensive coordinator job at Michigan.

Stanford's defense finished third last season in the Pac-10 in both sacks and tackles for loss, as well as fifth nationally in tackles for loss and 11th in sacks.

WSU SUSPENDS HICKS, AHMU

Washington State starting defensive tackle A'i Ahmu and reserve safety Xavier Hicks Jr. were indefinitely suspended for violating team rules, a spokesman said Friday.

Hicks, 21, a junior who started three games last season, was charged Wednesday in Whitman County Superior Court with second-degree assault stemming from a dispute with roommate and teammate Grady Maxwell, according to court records.

Ahmu, from San Diego, who turned 21 on Wednesday, was charged with a misdemeanor alcohol offense after an incident at a fraternity last month, according to Pullman police.

WEIS WON'T CALL PLAYS

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who built his coaching reputation as a play-caller while helping the New England Patriots win three Super Bowls, won't be calling plays for the Fighting Irish next season.

Offensive coordinator Mike Haywood will call plays so Weis, coming off a dismal 3-9 season, can concentrate on his duties as head coach.

PENN STATE SUSPENDS 2 MORE

Penn State receiver Chris Bell and defensive tackle Phillip Taylor were suspended from the team, the latest players facing disciplinary issues in a turbulent year off the field for the Nittany Lions.

Bell and Taylor are "not participating with the team until such time that their academic situation improves and any off-the-field issues are behind them," the athletic department said Friday.

The sophomores were mentioned but not charged in a criminal complaint last year concerning a fight during a fraternity party at the student union. Authorities said one man was beat up and treated at the scene.

Two other players are awaiting trial on felony assault and other charges in the Oct. 7 fight. Defensive tackle Chris Baker and backup linebacker Navorro Bowman were kicked off the team last month, at least temporarily.