OBIT: Former Giant Tex Coulter, 83

Former Giants tackle Dewitt “Tex” Coulter died Oct. 2 in Austin, Texas, after a lengthy illness. He was 83. Coulter was an All-American on Army’s 1945 national championship team. He played left tackle for the Giants from 1946-1952 and made the all-pro team in 1948 and 1949.

GRID: Paterno in car flap

Joe Paterno exchanged words with another motorist who then complained to police about the Penn State football coach’s conduct. No charges were filed.

Paterno said he nearly collided with another car on a campus road last week and exchanged words with the other driver and her husband.

BASEBALL: Schuerholz steps down

John Schuerholz resigned as general manager of the Braves yesterday after assembling teams that won a record 14 straight division titles and the 1995 World Series championship.

Schuerholz, who spent 17 years as the Braves’ GM, will become team president and turn over the GM duties to his right-hand man, Frank Wren.

* The Devil Rays announced senior adviser Don Zimmer will return next year for his 50th season as a major league player, coach or manager. The team also hired Dave Martinez as bench coach . . . The Phillies declined a $5 million option on catcher Rod Barajas and a $2.5 million option on third baseman Abraham Nunez.

GOLF: May, Gore tied in Vegas

Bob May shot a 9-under 63 at TPC Summerlin to top the leaderboard in the Frys.com Open in Las Vegas while Jason Gore had an 8-under 63 on TPC The Canyons. Jeff Overton, D.J. Trahan, Cameron Beckman and Rich Beem were two strokes back.

* Paula Creamer and Angela Park shot 5-under 67s to share the first-round lead in the Samsung World Championship in Palm Desert, Calif., Michelle Wie was last in the 20-player field after a 79.

* Playing the Stableford scoring system, defending champ Jim Wahl of Whippoorwill finished with 11 points to grab the first-round lead at the Treiber Memorial Tournament of Champions yesterday at Wheatley Hills in East Williston, L.I.