Sports briefs: Hawaii running back's body found off Oahu beach

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Honolulu • Authorities say Hawaii running back Willis Wilson was found dead off of Oahu's Sandy Beach after a wave overcame him in shallow water.

Hawaii's athletics department confirmed Wilson's death.

A Honolulu Fire Department report says Wilson was among a group of three men and two women who were wading in shallow water at about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Fire officials and Coast Guard rescuers were called after the group noticed that the 21-year-old Wilson was no longer with them. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/1ajqf6k ) reports that his body was recovered a few hours later.

Wilson was born in Pearl City and attended high school in Lakewood, Wash., where he was an all-state running back. He transferred from Washington last summer after spending three seasons with the Huskies. He made the travel roster for the Rainbow Warriors' first three games.

Sumlin, Texas A&M agree to new deal

College Station, Texas • Texas A&M and coach Kevin Sumlin have agreed in principle to a new six-year contract that could keep him with the Aggies through 2019.

The university said Saturday that the terms of the deal still needed to be approved by its Board of Regents.

Sumlin is 19-5 in two seasons with the Aggies (8-3) heading into their game Saturday at No. 5 Missouri. That's the most victories by a coach in school history in his first two years.

There had been much speculation regarding Sumlin being a candidate to become Southern California's permanent head coach, or that he might be pursued by an NFL team or two as he was after last season. The new deal could put an end to the uncertainty.

"I am humbled and very appreciative of the commitment that Texas A&M has extended not only to me and my family, but to our football program overall," Sumlin said in a statement. "We have only just begun to lay the foundation for sustained, long-term success here at Texas A&M, and we will work hard every day to make this great institution and the 12th Man proud."

In six seasons as a head coach at Houston and Texas A&M, Sumlin has a career record of 54-22.

Coach Sumlin has demonstrated why he is considered among the nation's elite football coaches. His coaching and recruiting abilities are only secondary to his integrity, class and passion for his student-athletes and this University," athletic director Eric Hyman said in a statement. "Texas A&M is making a sincere commitment to Kevin. We are fortunate that he is committed to remain an Aggie for a long time to come, and we are excited about what the future has in store."

Nebraska A.D.: Pelini's our coach

Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst says Bo Pelini will remain the Cornhuskers' head football coach.

Eichorst issued a statement Saturday that called recent news reports about Pelini "unfounded speculation and conjecture."

The first-year athletic director said he wanted to "reaffirm what I have said many times since I have arrived at the University of Nebraska — that I positively respect, appreciate and support our football student-athletes, coaches and staff, as we do everyone in the Husker family. We very much look forward to our upcoming bowl game and Coach Pelini continuing to lead our program in the future."

The Huskers are 8-4 after their loss to Iowa on Friday. Pelini is 57-24 in six seasons at Nebraska, but the school has not won a conference title since 1999.

Florida A.D. has 'total confidence' in Muschamp

Gainesville, Fla. • Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley says he's not going to panic after the program's first losing season since 1979.

Foley held an impromptu news conference before the Gators' season finale against No. 2 Florida State on Saturday, reiterating "total confidence" in coach Will Muschamp and adding that "we've got to fix some things" on the offensive side of the ball.

Muschamp is 22-15 in three seasons in Gainesville and is coming off the worst lost in school history — a 26-20 debacle against lower-division Georgia Southern last Saturday.

Probably the only thing that has saved Muschamp this season is last year's 11-2 record that included a trip to the Sugar Bowl.

The Gators (4-7) have lost six consecutive games — their longest losing streak in 34 years — and are four-touchdown underdogs against the Seminoles (11-0).