A formal announcement is expected early next week, said a source, who requested anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

Kiffin, 33, replaces Phillip Fulmer, who was forced out after 17 seasons as Vols coach. Fulmer won a national championship in 1998 but had two losing seasons in the past five years, including a 4-7 mark this year.

Kiffin was the youngest coach in the NFL's modern history when hired to lead the Raiders in January 2007 at age 31. But the son of longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin had a rocky relationship with Oakland owner Al Davis, who fired him Sept. 30. Kiffin had a 5-15 record with the Raiders.

pro Football

2 ailing Cowboys appear to be OK

IRVING, Texas | MRI tests on injured Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and running back Marion Barber revealed no significant damage a day after both were injured in the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day win over Seattle.

An MRI test on Ware's hyper-extended left knee showed no ligament damage Friday. An MRI on Barber's right fifth toe, which was dislocated, revealed no fracture.

Both players will receive treatment throughout the weekend. They will be evaluated daily next week.

IN OTHER NFL NEWS

Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, defensive back Ellis Hobbs and running back LaMont Jordan all practiced Friday, but all are questionable for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.

Bills starting tight end Robert Royal (hamstring) and starting cornerback Jabari Greer (knee) won't play when Buffalo plays host to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Cincinnati Bengals placed guard Andrew Whitworth (ankle) and guard/offensive tackle Scott Kooistra (knee) on injured reserve.

Steelers running back Willie Parker (knee) practiced for the second successive day and is questionable for Sunday at New England.

Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble signed a six-year contract extension that will keep him with Carolina through the 2014 season.

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is still deciding whether to have surgery on the damaged right index finger that ended his season.

The NFL fined Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct during Miami's loss to New England on Sunday.

Falcons defensive end John Abraham (concussion) promises he will play Sunday at San Diego.

horse racing

Jockey Leparoux breaks record

LOUISVILLE, Ky. | Jockey Julien Leparoux has broken a 23-year-old Churchill Downs record for wins at a Fall Meet previously held by Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day.

Leparoux rode Just Like William to victory in the third race Friday for his 56th win of the meet. He also won the second race aboard Calabria.

Day previously established the Fall Meet mark in 1985 when he rode 55 winners in a 30-day meet.

golf

Spain moves into lead in World Cup

SHENZHEN, China | Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal shot a 9-under-par 63 for a two-day total of 17-under 127 and a four-shot lead over Australia (68) and first-round leader Germany (69) in the World Cup of Golf.

Sweden (67) is five back, and the United States (69) and Ireland (68) are six off the pace of Spain.

"If they (Spain) go out and play two good rounds, it's going to be very tough to beat them," said American Brandt Snedeker, who teamed with former British Open champion Ben Curtis.

IN OTHER GOLF NEWS

Jeong Jang and Candie Kung beat Annika Sorenstam and Angela Stanford 3 and 2 on Friday to help Asia split the six opening alternate-shot matches with the International team in the Lexus Cup in Singapore.

Tim Clark shot a 2-under 70 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Australian Masters in Melbourne.

basketball

Iverson sorry he skipped practice

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. | Allen Iverson apologized Friday for skipping a Detroit Pistons practice Thursday and insisted it won't happen again.

"First of all, I have no excuses," Iverson said. "It was a personal matter, but I just handled it the wrong way. I didn't call and let them know what was going on."

When Iverson was with the 76ers, he had a famous rant in 2002 lashing out at critics complaining about his practice habits.

baseball

Nationals' Redding has foot surgery

WASHINGTON | Nationals righthander Tim Redding had surgery to repair a bone in a joint on his left foot Friday and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

Redding was 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA in 2008.

IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS

The Texas Rangers traded pitcher Wes Littleton to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash.

in other news

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forward Janne Pesonen from their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club.