Stanford has hired longtime NFL assistant Kris Richard as its defensive coordinator under new coach Tavita Pritchard.

Richard, 46, spent 13 seasons as an NFL assistant with the Seattle Seahawks (2010-17), Dallas Cowboys (2018-19), New Orleans Saints (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2024). He served as Seattle’s defensive coordinator from 2015-17 and shared the DC duties in New Orleans in 2022.

“Kris Richard is a proven winner and an exceptional defensive mind who has coached at the highest levels of this game,” Pritchard said in a news release. “His ability to develop elite defensive backs in the NFL is well-documented, but what really excites me is his background as a coordinator who builds relentless, attacking defenses.

“Kris brings a championship pedigree and an intensity that will shape our defense into a physical, run-and-hit unit that our guys will take immense pride in. He is a tremendous communicator who connects with people and demands excellence, and I am confident he will build a defense that reflects the energy and toughness that will embody our team.”

Richard, a cornerback, played in 39 NFL games over four seasons with the Seahawks (2002-04) and San Francisco 49ers (2005). He had eight career college interceptions — six in 1999 — at Southern California from 1998-2001 before being selected in the third round of the NFL draft by Seattle.

“My family, the defensive staff, and I are incredibly grateful to join the Stanford community,” Richard said. “Thank you for welcoming us with open arms. We are all eager to get to work cultivating a championship culture and mindset.”

Richard takes on a big task as the Cardinal were 134th and last nationally in passing yards allowed (288.9) per game and 95th in scoring defense at 29.2 points per game.

Stanford opens the 2026 season at home against Hawaii on Aug. 29.

–Field Level Media

With “Sunday Night Baseball” moving to NBC this season, ESPN revealed Thursday it has elected to fill its premium Sunday slot with WNBA and NWSL games and ancillary coverage.

“Women’s Sports Sundays” will debut in prime time this summer. ESPN said 12 live games and accompanying studio segments will air over nine weeks.

“Sunday Night Baseball” was a staple on ESPN for 36 years, but the network and MLB terminated their agreement three years before it was scheduled to end. NBC has committed to airing “Sunday Night Baseball” through at least 2028.

ESPN, meanwhile, believes it is catching two leagues on the rise.

“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’ is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” Rosalyn Durant, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, said in a statement.

“This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve.”

Details about matchups and broadcast personnel will be announced at a later date.

More women’s sports properties, including college basketball, could be added to the Sunday night slate in future seasons, according to Front Office Sports.

The NWSL season starts March 13 and continues into November. The league expanded to 16 teams with the additions of Boston Legacy and Denver Summit.

WNBA training camps are scheduled to open April 19 ahead of tip-off on May 8, but a labor impasse threatens to delay the start of the season. The collective bargaining agreement with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association expired in January and negotiations about revenue sharing and salary structure have barely progressed.

–Field Level Media

Anthony Edwards is excited to bring his NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy back to Minnesota.

Timberwolves fans welcome Edwards and his teammates back when they tip off against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night in Minneapolis. It is the first game since the All-Star break for both teams, who appear headed in different directions as the postseason approaches.

Edwards hopes that more trophies will follow, especially team trophies.

“It means a lot,” Edwards said. “I love Minnesota, and I know Minnesota loves me. I said I wasn’t going to put on a show for them, but I gave them a show. Appreciate y’all, Minnesota.”

Minnesota won two consecutive games before the break and holds the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings. Before NBA action resumed Thursday night, only 1 1/2 games separated the Timberwolves from the third-place Denver Nuggets in the playoff race.

The Timberwolves brought back a familiar face to add bench depth as they look to improve their playoff seed. They re-signed veteran guard Mike Conley during the break and he rejoined the team for practice Thursday.

Conley averaged 4.4 points and 2.9 assists in 44 games (nine starts) with Minnesota earlier this season. The Timberwolves traded him on Feb. 3 to the Chicago Bulls, who subsequently flipped Conley to the Charlotte Hornets. He didn’t play for either team.

The Hornets bought out Conley’s contract, which cleared the way for Minnesota to bring him back.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said he would be open-minded about when and how to reinsert Conley into the team’s rotation. Ayo Dosunmu, acquired in that Feb. 3 deal with the Bulls, has averaged 14.7 points and 28.0 minutes since his arrival and has forged chemistry with Bones Hyland.

“I think everything is on the table right now,” Finch said. “We’ve got some things to work through. Those two guys, Ayo and Bones, have been great, no doubt about it. They’re a nice little combination, too. We’ve just got to take it day by day. … We don’t have anything pre-scripted.”

As the Timberwolves look to build momentum after the break, the Mavericks are focused on how best to position themselves for next season and beyond.

Dallas arrives in Minnesota on a nine-game losing streak and, hypothetically, eager for its first victory since Jan. 22.

Impact rookie Cooper Flagg has provided a bright spot for the Mavericks by averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game in 49 starts. But a foot sprain forced Flagg to miss the league’s All-Star activities, and he will not play Friday against the Timberwolves.

Dallas also will miss Kyrie Irving, who was ruled out of the remainder of the season this week as he recovers from a torn ACL.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Irving said in a statement posted on the team’s website. “I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows.”

This is the third of four meetings between the teams this season. Minnesota won each of the first two matchups by scores of 120-96 on Nov. 17 and 118-105 on Jan. 28.

–Field Level Medi