Sports
Maxime Raynaud leads Stanford, new coach into season vs. Denver
Mar 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) talks to a team mate on the bench before a California Bears free throw attempt during the first half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images The Kyle Smith era tips off Monday afternoon when Stanford hosts Denver and its beefed-up coaching staff in a nonconference game.
Smith, who directed Washington State to 25 wins and into the NCAA Tournament last season, was hired to replace Jerod Haase, who went 126-127 in eight years with the Cardinal.
Smith inherits 7-foot-1 forward Maxime Raynaud, who was selected by one national publication as the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason first-team center. The big man trained with the French National Team over the summer, helping get his countrymen prepared for their run to the gold-medal game against Team USA.
It’s going to take more than just a big-time season from Raynaud for Stanford to improve upon its consecutive 14-win seasons, Smith assured.
“We’re gonna have to defend better, rebound better and take care of the ball,” he said. “This is my fourth program that I’ve taken over, and that’s kind of always been the mantra, so I feel like I’ve got a good blueprint on how to do this thing.”
Smith used the transfer portal to find an improved supporting cast for Raynaud. Stanford lured Jaylen Blakes from Duke, Oziyah Sellers from USC, Chisom Okpara from Harvard and Derin Saran from UC Irvine.
A two-win team in 2021, Denver has improved to 11, 15 and 17 victories in its first three seasons under Jeff Wulbrun. None of those wins have come over Stanford, a team the Pioneers have never beaten in seven all-time head-to-heads.
With top scorer Tommy Bruner having taken his 24.0 points per game to graduation, the Pioneers are expected to be led this season by sophomore guard DeAndre Craig. He came on strong late last year, averaging 13.3 points in Denver’s run to the finals of the Summit League tournament.
The season opener will debut two new members of the Denver program — assistant coaches Shammond Williams, who played in three NCAA Final Fours at North Carolina, and Bill Peterson, who has worked in player development in the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors organizations.
“These guys have added so much to our program,” Wulbrun said. “They have been at the level that every player in college basketball aspires to be at.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
