O'Brien Will Return as Pacers Head Coach

In a press conference yesterday, Pacers President Larry Bird has announced that head coach Jim O'Brien will return for next season. O'Brien is entering the final year of his contract with the Pacers following three losing seasons with the team. Bird briefly mentioned the possibility of an extension. Bird said, "I haven't really thought about that, but obviously, if Jimmy wants to talk about it, we'll do that. He's under contract, and we expect him to fulfill his contract."

I agree with the decision to allow O'Brien to return for next season, but I think talks of an extension are premature at the moment. O'Brien has had a losing record in each of the past three seasons, and that should not earn the right to an extension in my opinion. The team improved a lot during this season, and another year under O'Brien's system may help. However, O'Brien made a key mistake this year that cannot be overlooked. Rookies Roy Hibbert and Brandon Rush were starting to look pretty good by the end of the season, but O'Brien waited way too long to get them into the rotation. Rush especially was stuck on the bench for much of the season, and at the end he proved he is a very capable player. With Hibbert and Rush playing from the beginning of the season, and any additions made during the offseason, the Pacers should be able to improve next year, and possibly make the playoffs in this season. Wait until next season has started before beginning extension talks, make O'Brien earn it first.

Torry Holt Signs with Jags

Torry Holt signed a 3 year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The deal could be worth up to $20 million depending on his performance. Holt was released by the Rams earlier this offseason as they are looking to rebuild.

This deal definitely doesn't help out the Colts. I've always liked Holt, but it doesn't look like I'll be able to root for him anymore. Jacksonville already has a good running game with Maurice Jones-Drew, and the addition of Holt gives them one more offensive weapon. This addition will make it harder to defend against the Jaguars with the double threat of passing or rushing with two big playmakers on the offense now. I don't think this suddenly makes them a contender, but it's definitely something to watch out for now.

Colts Schedule Released

Jordan Hulls Named 2009 Indiana Mr. Basketball

Bloomington South senior, Jordan Hulls, was named the 2009 Indiana Mr. Basketball after leading his team to the Class 4A Indiana State Championship this year. Hulls led Bloomington South with 15.8 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, and 2.6 steals per game. Bloomington South finished the year 26-0.

When asked about winning the award, Hulls said, "Mr. Basketball is a tremendous honor, without the team success, it doesn't happen. There are a lot of other great candidates out there that I'm friends with so to win it means a lot to me and my family."

Hulls will be playing for Coach Tom Crean at Indiana next season. Coach Crean said, "Jordan can flourish if he continues to work and do the things he's always done to make himself better."

Hulls won the award with 131 votes, 5 times as many as runner-up Bruce Grimm Jr. Fellow Indiana recruit Derek Elston finished third, and Purdue recruit D.J. Byrd came in fourth.

Scott Sharp to Race in Indy 500

Driver Scott Sharp will be driving for Panther Racing in this year's Indianapolis 500. He will be driving the #16 car sponsored by the Patrón Spirits Company. Panther Racing has been discussing giving Sharp a ride for some time now, owner John Barnes said, "We’ve been having conversations about having Scott drive for us for the last four years. We certainly feel like Scott is a very capable and experienced driver, and he and Dan Wheldon will really be a force during the month."

Sharp is excited to be back in the race. He said, "I can’t express how excited I am to be back at the Indianapolis 500, especially with the chance to team with Tequila Patrón and Panther Racing."

Sharp has driven in more IndyCar events than any other driver, 146 in total. This will be Sharp's 14th start at Indianapolis. In his previous 13 starts he has five top tens and led the race in 2002.

Help Make Danny Granger Most Improved Player

The Indiana Pacers have started a petition to make Danny Granger this year's NBA Most Improved Player. Do your part and sign the petition here: http://www.dg4mip.com/index2.php .

Indiana Native Jeff Teague to Test Pro Stock

Wake Forest Sophomore and former Pike High School player Jeff Teague is putting his name into the NBA Draft. Teague will not hire an agent which leaves him the possibility of returning to Wake Forest for another year. Teague is projected to be a first round pick, but he has to decide by June 15th whether he will return to school or not. If Teague is drafted, he will be the 8th former Indianapolis area high school player in the NBA.

John Andretti to Drive for Petty in Indy 500

A press conference was held yesterday to announce that John Andretti will drive the #43 car in the Indianapolis 500 this year. He will be driving for a team co-owned by Richard Petty and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing with the sponsor Window World. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing already has driver Mike Conway, and they are currently looking for two more drivers to enter into the Indianapolis 500.

Petty attended the Indianapolis 500 for the first time last season, and that inspired him to enter a team in this year's field.

As a Nascar and IndyCar fan, I really enjoy seeing Nascar teams field cars in the Indianapolis 500. It is a good opportunity for the league to add some great drivers to the field and offer even more competition for fans to enjoy. I hope this isn't the last announcement we hear of Nascar drivers entering the 500, hopefully a few more will enter in the weeks to come.

Briscoe Wins IndyCar Season Opener

The IndyCar season opened today at the Streets of St. Petersburg. Team Penske driver, Ryan Briscoe, took home the season's first checkered flag. Briscoe held off challenger Ryan Hunter-Reay in the final laps to win the race.

It was a tough opening race for many drivers in the Indy Racing League. Returning season champion, Scott Dixon, made contact with Hideki Mutoh to end his day and finish in 16th. Danica Patrick finished the race in 19th after being involved in a crash with rookie Raphael Matos. The two drivers didn't agree on who was to blame. Danica said after the crash, "It's not exactly the ideal place to pass. We were going into the fast chicane there and there's no room, there's no room for two people." Matos said, "Danica made a big mistake passing a lapped car and I really had a good run on her. I thought she'd give me enough room to pass, but she didn't." Watch the replay and decide for yourself who is to blame.

OT: Cubs Season Preview

As a big Cubs fan, I will occasionally wonder away from Indy Sports to talk about the Cubs. With the Cubs' first game on Monday quickly approaching, I thought I would share my thoughts on the upcoming season.

The Cubs offseason was a disappointment to me and many other Cubs fans. We lost key players and fan favorites in Kerry Wood and Mark Derosa. At the time, these trades were rumored to be clearing payroll for a Jake Peavy trade that never happened. The Cubs additions to the team include Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Heilman, Joey Gathright, and Aaron Miles. None of these additions overly excite me, but I do like the addition of a left-handed bat in Bradley and the addition of speed in Gathright.

My expectations for the upcoming season are pretty similar to last year. The Cubs' roster is easily the best in the NL Central Division in my opinion. The Cubs won the division last year, and no one in the division made any key changes to suggest a challenger to the Cubs. Last year's second place team, the Milwaukee Brewers, lost two of their best starters in C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets, which suggests they won't be a competitor this season.

The Cubs struggled in the playoffs last year, being swept out in the opening round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs will easily make the playoffs this year, but the question is how far will they go. The Cubs have the potential to be a World Series Champion in my opinion, but at the same time they have the potential to flop in the first round like last year, it all depends on if the players decide to show up for the playoffs this year.

Dungy asked to join Obama's Faith-Based Council

Former Indianapolis Colts' coach, Tony Dungy, has been asked to join President Barack Obama's faith-based advisory council. Dungy has yet to accept or reject the offer.

Working with a President is not something new for Dungy, who was a member of former President George Bush's council on civic participation. President Obama's selection has already been critized for Dungy's support to create a ban on same-sex marriage in Indiana in 2007.

This offer is a great opportunity for Dungy. Dungy has always talked about doing his work for God after his career in football, and this is one opportunity for him to do so.