Eagles End Long Search for Coach by Hiring 49ers’ Rhodes

The Philadelphia Eagles turned to the Super Bowl champions for their new coach Thursday, hiring Ray Rhodes of the San Francisco 49ers and ending a six-week coaching search involving at least five candidates.

Rhodes, defensive coordinator for the 49ers, will replace Rich Kotite, who was fired Dec. 26. He becomes the NFL’s second black head coach, along with Dennis Green of the Minnesota Vikings, and the third black head coach in league history.

The Eagles were without a coach for 39 days. Owner Jeff Lurie said that the job was offered to only two people--Dick Vermeil, who led the Eagles to their only Super Bowl appearance in 1981, and Rhodes, who also interviewed Wednesday for the Rams’ coaching job.

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Ernie Zampese, Dallas Cowboy offensive coordinator and the former offensive coordinator with the Rams, will interview for the Rams’ head coaching position after his Pro Bowl assignment Sunday in Hawaii. Zampese, who previously said he had no interest in becoming a head coach in the NFL, said he now has an interest in the Rams.

The Rams already have talked to Oregon Coach Rich Brooks, Ram assistant Joe Vitt and intend to continue discussions with Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez.

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Former Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware, saying he feels like a rookie again, signed a contract as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first quarterback. Ware, 26, won the Heisman Trophy in 1989 at Houston but has since bounced around pro football.

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The Denver Broncos’ new coach, Mike Shanahan, will be paid $8.5 million over the next seven years, making him the second-highest paid coach in the NFL, the Rocky Mountain News reported. The newspaper said that only Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins, who is paid a reported $1.6 million a year, will make more.

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The California Senate urged NFL owners to reject the Rams’ move to St. Louis. By a 32-0 vote, the Senate approved a resolution that asks the NFL to keep the team in the Southland, its home since 1946. The measure now moves to the Assembly.

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The Kansas City Chiefs denied reports that surgery on Joe Montana’s knee was more difficult than expected and said he spent the day taking flying lessons.

Jurisprudence

Defensive back Willie Beamon of the New York Giants pleaded not guilty to charges of trying to run over a Clifton, N.J., police officer.

The NHL is suing the law firm that advised it in a dispute over the funding of pensions for retired players. The league filed suit in the Ontario Court of Justice against the Chicago law firm of Baker and McKenzie.

Miscellany

Team New Zealand’s victory over oneAustralia was reversed Thursday night when a jury ruled that the Kiwis illegally had a man up the mast during the America’s Cup trials race. The reversal handed Team New Zealand its first defeat in nine races and pulled oneAustralia within one point of the first-place Kiwis.

Angel fans wishing to renew season tickets are being asked to pay full price, but they’ll receive monthly refunds based on reduced ticket prices if replacement players are used, a letter mailed by the club to season ticket-holders said.

Prices will be determined later.

John Rigas, a 70-year-old cable TV entrepreneur who has sought to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates since November, made a substantially improved bid that city officials are cautiously hoping will be enough to get the deal done.

The number of freshman black athletes participating in college sports has increased after a drop following the enactment of Proposition 48 eligibility standards, the NCAA said.

Christian Fittipaldi of Brazil, a 24-year-old nephew of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, has signed to drive an Indy car for Walker Racing.

Paul Accola of Switzerland, winner of skiing’s overall World Cup in 1992, collided with his coach during a practice run and expects to be sidelined most of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Midfielder Joe Franchino of Cal State Fullerton was named to Soccer America’s all-freshman team.