Dean Smith
Germany's head coach Henrik Roedl watches during men's basketball preliminary round game against Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Germany's Rodl still inspired by his UNC coach, Dean Smith

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 28, 2021 12:48 AM EDT

FILE - North Carolina coach Roy Williams looks on during a news conference at the NCAA Syracuse Regional tournament at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C., in this Saturday, March 19, 2005, file photo. North Carolina announced Thursday, April 1, 2021, that Hall of Fame basketball coach Roy Williams is retiring after a 33-year career that includes three national championships. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams retiring after 33-year run

By Aaron Beard Apr. 01, 2021 05:31 PM EDT

FILE - This Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 file photo shows a general view of a social distancing message on display outside the Villa Park stadium, home of Aston Villa, in Birmingham, England. Aston Villa has on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 reported a “significant” coronavirus outbreak and closed its training ground a day before a scheduled FA Cup home game against Liverpool. Villa says “discussions are ongoing between medical representatives of the club, the Football Association and the Premier League.” (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, file)
EPL to punish virus rule breaches; 10 Villa players positive

By Rob Harris And Steve Douglas Jan. 08, 2021 05:54 AM EST

Aston Villa's Ross Barkley, left, celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. (Jon Super, Pool via AP)
Villa's rise sums up strange start to English Premier League

By Steve Douglas Oct. 22, 2020 07:23 AM EDT

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah gestures after Aston Villa's Jack Grealish scores his side's sixth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham, England, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (Peter Powell/Pool via AP)
Man U lets in 6, Liverpool concedes 7 in incredible EPL day

By Rob Harris Oct. 04, 2020 06:57 PM EDT

Liverpool players celebrate with the English Premier League trophy after it was presented following the Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. (Paul Ellis, Pool via AP)
EPL's longest season ends, pandemic issues linger for clubs

By Rob Harris Jul. 27, 2020 01:06 AM EDT

Aston Villa's Matt Targett, top, celebrates with teammate Trezeguet after the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Powell,Pool)
$250M+ at stake for teams fighting relegation in EPL finale

By Rob Harris Jul. 25, 2020 03:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 22, 2020, file photo, Liverpool's Naby Keita, second left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England. After the competition was brought to a sudden halt in the second week in March, abandoning the season became a very real prospect as the pandemic death toll rose. The only safe way of resuming after a 100-day shutdown was restricting capacities to fewer than 300 people. (Laurence Griffiths, Pool via AP, File)
Prized seat at pandemic-era games as longest EPL season ends

By Rob Harris Jul. 25, 2020 10:58 AM EDT

FILE - In this April 9, 2020, file photo, Gates stand locked outside the closed Manchester City Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, northern England, as the English Premier League soccer season has been suspended due to coronavirus. With no games being played, recent sports headlines have centered around hopes and dreams — namely, the uncharted path leagues and teams must navigate to return to competition in the wake of the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)
Analysis: EPL restart mired in health risks, self-interest

By Rob Harris May. 05, 2020 07:15 PM EDT