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Charles Barkley maps out path for Johni Broome to become 'greatest player in Auburn basketball history'

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Charles Barkley maps out path for Johni Broome to become 'greatest player in Auburn basketball history'

The top-seeded Auburn men’s basketball team defeated Alabama State in the opening round of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. 

The Tigers then defeated Creighton in the second round on Saturday to advance to the Sweet 16. But before the SEC powerhouse’s run in March Madness tipped off, Auburn great Charles Barkley voiced his support for one of the team’s current stars.

Barkley, who is providing commentary during broadcasts of tournament games, believes Johni Broome would surpass him in Auburn lore if he can lead the Tigers to their first national championship. 

Former NBA player and Auburn alum Charles Barkley enters Neville Arena through the loading dock prior to a game between Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers on February 4, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Stew Milne/Getty Images)

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“If he can finish the journey, I would say he’s (Broome) the greatest player in Auburn basketball history,” Barkley said during Thursday’s telecast. “I truly mean that. What he’s done for the program, him and Coach (Bruce) Pearl and those guys, has been incredible. But if they could win a national championship, listen man, it’d be great.

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Barkley then pointed to Auburn’s appearance in the 2019 Final Four, declaring it the program’s best season to date.

Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA;  Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) handles the ball during the second half against the Creighton Bluejays in the second round to the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)

“And I would say this, I said when they made it to the Final Four a few years ago, that’s the greatest season in Auburn basketball history. If he’s able to win a championship, I’d say he’s the greatest player in Auburn basketball history. … He’s better than me in college.”

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Auburn faced some doubt leading up to this year’s tournament due to the team’s struggles late in the regular season. The Tigers dropped back-to-back games to Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month.

The March Madness logo is pictured at Amica Mutual Pavillion during Practice Day ahead of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 19, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Tennessee outlasted Auburn in the SEC Tournament semifinal. The Volunteers ultimately fell to Florida in the SEC Tournament championship game.

Barkley pointed to the quality of the opponents who defeated Auburn. “They didn’t lose to Providence,” he said. “They lost to three schools that were ranked in the top 10-to-15. And listen, no disrespect to Providence. Don’t be blowing up. … They lost to Alabama at the buzzer, and they’re a No. 2 or 3 seed. That’s why I’m not concerned. They lost to three teams that’s in the top 15 of the country.”

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Auburn will take on the fifth-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16 on March 28 in Atlanta.

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Michigan football staffer who had alleged affair with Sherrone Moore still employed by university

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Michigan football staffer who had alleged affair with Sherrone Moore still employed by university

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The football staffer who allegedly had a romantic relationship with fired head coach Sherrone Moore is still employed by the University of Michigan.

The woman has served as Moore’s executive assistant. 

“There is no change in her employment status,” a Michigan spokesperson told Fox News. 

The woman received a massive pay bump between 2024 and 2025.

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Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore appears via video in court in Ann Arbor, Mich., Dec. 12, 2025. (Ryan Sun/AP Photo)

The individual allegedly linked to Moore, whose LinkedIn profile lists her as an executive assistant to the head football coach at the University of Michigan, made just over $58,000 in 2023 and 2024, according to public payroll information. In the 2025 fiscal year, though, her salary jumped to $99,000, according to a salary disclosure report from the University of Michigan.

During Moore’s arraignment Friday, prosecutors alleged he and the staffer had been in an “intimate relationship for a number of years,” which they say the woman ended on Monday. Prosecutors further claim Moore sent multiple text messages and made phone calls that prompted the woman to report the situation to the university and cooperate with its investigation.

Moore was released from jail Friday on $25,000 bond, according to police records obtained by Fox News Digital. 

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However, it’s unclear whether Moore will be returning home to his family. 

Moore’s attorney, Joseph Simon, declined to say whether the coach will be going home to his wife and three children while speaking to reporters at an Ann Arbor courthouse Friday. 

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“I’m just going to not answer that question,” Simon said when asked if Moore was “going to be able to go home.”

Moore has been married to wife Kelli since 2015, and they have three daughters together — Shiloh, Solei and Sadie. Simon also declined to comment on the “mood” of his client after Moore was charged. 

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The conditions of Moore’s release require him to wear a GPS tether and continue mental health treatment and forbid him from communicating with the victim.

Moore was fired Wednesday, and the University of Michigan quickly announced it found credible evidence he had an “inappropriate relationship” with a staffer. Moore was then detained by police Wednesday after news of his dismissal broke. 

Moore was arraigned in court Friday on stalking and home invasion charges. According to prosecutors, he faces a felony charge of home invasion in the third degree and two misdemeanor charges of stalking and breaking and entering without the owner’s permission.

Both misdemeanor charges are related to a “domestic relationship.”

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Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore during warmups before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field in Chicago Nov. 15, 2025. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

When Moore was fired from his position as head coach, prosecutors said, it prompted him to visit the woman’s home. 

Moore then allegedly “barged” his way into the residence, grabbed a butter knife and a pair of kitchen scissors and began threatening his own life. According to prosecutors, Moore allegedly told the staffer, “My blood is on your hands” and “You ruined my life.” 

Prosecutors claimed Moore “terrorized” the staffer and that they believed him to be a “risk to public safety.” 

Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.

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Prep talk: National Football Foundation All-Star Game set for Dec. 20

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Prep talk: National Football Foundation All-Star Game set for Dec. 20

As if Simi Valley coach Jim Benkert doesn’t have enough things to do, he’s taken on the task of putting on the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame high school all-star games Dec. 20 at Simi Valley High.

At 4 p.m. there will be a flag football game featuring players from the San Gabriel Chapter against the Coastal Valley Chapter. At 7, players from Ventura County will take on Los Angeles County in an 11-man game.

Agoura’s Dustin Croick is coaching the West team that includes his outstanding quarterback, Gavin Gray. Taft’s Thomas Randolph is coaching the East team that has a strong group of quarterbacks, including Michael Wynn Jr. of St. Genevieve.

Simi Valley High will be the site for all-star football games on Dec. 20.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

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Tickets are $10 and will help pay for the growing costs of all-star games, from uniforms to insurance.

Benkert, one of the winningest coaches in state history with more than 300 victories, said he’s determined to make it work.

“We’re trying to keep all-star games alive,” he said. “If we don’t do it, there’s nothing.”

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

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Utah’s winningest coach to step down after 21 seasons: ‘Honor and a privilege’

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Utah’s winningest coach to step down after 21 seasons: ‘Honor and a privilege’

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The Utah Utes will be ending an era when they play against Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 31.

It will be head coach Kyle Whittingham’s last game as head coach after the 66-year-old announced Friday he is stepping down. Whittingham is the winningest coach in program history, going 117-88 over 22 seasons. 

“The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said in a statement Friday. 

 

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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham on the sideline during the first half against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, Nov. 15, 2025. (Chris Jones/Imagn Images)

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead the program for the past 21 years, and I’m very grateful for the relationships forged with all the players and assistant coaches that have worked so hard and proudly worn the drum and feather during our time here.”

Whittingham co-coached the Fiesta Bowl with Utah in 2004 and then took over as the permanent head coach the following season. Whittingham led Utah to a winning record in 18 of his 21 seasons.

This season, Utah is 10-2 and at one point ranked No. 13 in the AP poll, just missing out on the College Football Playoff (CFB).

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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan., Nov. 28, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)

Whittingham was named the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1981 in his senior year. 

Before becoming a coach, Whittingham played in the USFL and the CFL from 1982 to 1984. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at BYU.

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Whittingham joined the Utah staff in 1994 and rose through the ranks. He began as the defensive line coach and eventually became the defensive coordinator before becoming the team’s head coach. 

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His final game on the sideline will be the team’s bowl game against Nebraska. Whittingham, who is 11-6 in bowl games as a head coach, will look to end his tenure with a win on Dec. 31. 

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