Auburn's Fortner to resign at season's end

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/21/2012 - Auburn, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Auburn women's basketball coach Nell Fortner will resign as head coach at the end of the 2011-12 season, the university's director of athletics Jay Jacobs announced on Tuesday.

Fortner has served as the team's head coach for the past eight seasons and has compiled a record of 143-105 over that span.

"I love Auburn and have absolutely loved my time here during the course of the last eight years," Fortner said. "I have dedicated the last 28 years to coaching basketball and feel it is time for me to pursue something different. This was not an easy decision, as I have contemplated this for several months, but I am looking forward to the change. I'm proud of where the Auburn program is and what we've accomplished."

In 2008-09, Fortner was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year and Basketball Times National Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to their first SEC regular-season title in 20 years with a 30-4 overall mark to go with a 12-2 record in league play.

Auburn advanced to postseason play four times under Fortner, playing in the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009, and making appearances in the WNIT in 2007 and 2011.

"We respect Nell's decision to pursue other opportunities and appreciate everything that she's done for Auburn," Jacobs said. "Nell has been a tremendous ambassador for Auburn Athletics, the university and our community, always willing to be a team player. She achieved success on the court and developed her players athletically, academically and socially. I have the utmost respect for Nell and want to thank her for her contributions to the women's basketball program and the Auburn community during her eight years at Auburn."

Fortner came to Auburn in 2004 after serving as head coach of the WNBA's Indiana Fever from 2001-03. Prior to that, she was the head coach of the U.S. Women's National team that won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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