Sports briefs: Auburn's Gus Malzahn is AP's Coach of the Year

college football • Auburn's Gus Malzahn is the Associated Press coach of the year. Malzahn received the honor Monday after directing one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history.

He has led the second-ranked Tigers into the national championship game against No. 1 Florida State. They have gone from 3-9 to 12-1 in his debut season.

Malzahn says the honor is "very humbling" but awards like this are a team accomplishment.

He received 33 votes from AP Top 25 college football poll voters to beat out Duke's David Cutcliffe, who received 17 votes after leading Duke (10-3) to its first 10-win season. Florida State's Jimbo Fisher and Michigan State's Mark Dantonio each received three votes.

• SMU says football coach June Jones has agreed to a three-year contract extension, through 2017. The Mustangs finished 5-7 overall this season, ending a streak of four straight bowl appearances. Jones has a 36-41 record at SMU and is 112-82 for his career.

Arsenal lacks firepower in draw

soccer • Arsenal was held to a 0-0 draw by Chelsea in swirling rain, missing a chance to return to the top of the Premier League. The game between the London rivals at Emirates Stadium failed to produce the expected drama, with few attempts on goal. Arsenal and Liverpool share the Premier League point lead, with Liverpool ahead on goal difference. Chelsea is fourth, two points out of first place.

• Tottenham has appointed inexperienced Tim Sherwood as coach until the end of next season in a surprise move by the club a week after Andre Villas-Boas was fired. The Englishman had not managed a team until his switch from his technical job at Tottenham to interim manager last week. After losing a League Cup match to West Ham on Wednesday, Sherwood's first Premier League match ended with Tottenham's 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday.

Twins finalize deals

MLB • The Minnesota Twins signed right-hander Mike Pelfrey and catcher Kurt Suzuki. The contracts were finalized Monday. Pelfrey agreed more than a week ago to an $11 million, two-year extension. Suzuki agreed Friday to a $2.75 million, one-year deal. The 30-year-old Suzuki, who played for Washington and Oakland last season, will back up prospect Josmil Pinto, with Joe Mauer moving to first base.

From wire reports