COLLEGES: Olson files for divorce

Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson has filed for divorce, though his wife says she remains committed to the marriage.

The 73-year-old Hall of Fame coach filed a divorce petition in Pima County Superior Court on Thursday, the same day he announced he would extend his leave from the team through the end of the season.

“The marriage has been irretrievably broken with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation,” Lute Olson’s lawyer, Leonard Karp, said yesterday.

Christine Olson, 50, is the coach’s second wife.

* Former Navy coach Paul Johnson was hired by Georgia Tech to replace Chan Gailey, who had six consecutive winning seasons with the Yellow Jackets but was 0-6 against Georgia.

Johnson said he will not coach Navy in its Dec. 20 Poinsettia Bowl against Utah in San Diego. He informed his Navy players of his decision yesterday morning.

* Texas A&M regents approved a contract buyout for former football coach Dennis Franchione worth up to $4.4 million over three years.

NFL: Bush has knee injury

Reggie Bush has a partially torn left knee ligament that likely won’t require surgery but could sideline him for Monday night’s game at Atlanta and possibly for the rest of the season.

A person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press that Bush did not expect to play Monday night and likely would not risk further aggravating the injury by playing again this season. The person requested anonymity because of the delicacy of the situation.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Bush would be listed as questionable on the injury report and added whether Bush plays against the Falcons will be a game-time decision.

* Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was fined $25,000 by the NFL for his comments about running back Travis Henry‘s appeal of a one-year drug suspension.

The NFL informed Henry in September that he failed a test for marijuana. He sued the NFL to avoid a suspension and won his appeal Tuesday.

Shanahan supported Henry’s appeal, saying he was convinced of his innocence after the player passed a polygraph test and a hair sample come back negative for marijuana.

* Rams quarterback Marc Bulger had a setback in his recovery from a concussion, meaning it’s possible third-stringer Brock Berlin, who has never attempted a pass in a regular-season game, might start tomorrow at Cincinnati.

Bulger passed a neurological exam Tuesday and was cleared to practice but began feeling poorly during meetings Thursday afternoon, Rams coach Scott Linehan said, adding that the decision on a starter is likely to be made late Saturday.

Regular backup Gus Frerotte will be the emergency quarterback for the Rams.

* Chargers coach Norv Turner said it’s 50-50 whether All-Pro outside linebacker Shawne Merriman plays tomorrow at Tennessee.

The AFC defensive player of the week disagrees.

“Yeah, I’ll be good,” Merriman said after sitting out practice a second straight day to rest his ailing right calf. He injured it Sunday against Kansas City, when he had three sacks to push his season total to 91/2.

MLB: Timlin, Bosox finalize deal

Mike Timlin‘s preference was to remain with the Red Sox.

“The decision wasn’t totally mine. It was my family’s too,” he said after finalizing a $3 million, one-year contract. “At this point in my career, it’s not just about me anymore.”

* Former Mets outfielder Timo Perez was sent outright to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens by the Tigers. The 32-year-old Perez hit .389 with 13 RBIs and 12 runs in 29 games last season.

GOLF: Austin-Calcavecchia share lead

In Naples, Fla., Woody Austin and Mark Calcavecchia shot an 8-under 64 in modified alternate-shot play for a share of the first-round lead with Fred Funk and Jeff Sluman in the Merrill Lynch Shootout.

NBA: LeBron to remain sidelined

LeBron James didn’t practice and will miss his fifth straight game with a sprained left index finger when the 9-11 Cavaliers play tonight at Charlotte.