College FootballBelichick leaving UW to join father at UNC
Washington defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who has been expected to join father Bill's staff at North Carolina, will become the Tar Heels' defensive coordinator, according to a report Sunday from Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.com.
Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowls as coach of the New England Patriots, took the North Carolina coaching job earlier this month.
Steve Belichick is expected to stay with the Huskies through their game against Louisville in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
Steve Belichick joined UW coach Jedd Fisch's staff before this season after spending the previous seasons on the defensive coaching staff of the Patriots. He was the defensive play-caller in his final four seasons with New England.
Washington's defense ranked ninth in the Big Ten in yards allowed at 324.8 and 10th in points allowed (22.8). UW is second in the conference in passing yards allowed at 166.8, which is also fifth in the nation.
Pete Thamel of ESPN said according to sources, the Huskies have spoken to "numerous candidates about the defensive coordinator position and is expected to move quickly in response."
House commits to North Carolina: Linebacker Khmori House, who entered the transfer portal on Monday after stamping himself as a rising star with the Huskies, is going to transfer to North Carolina.
House was visiting North Carolina this weekend. House, 6 feet and 213 pounds, finished with 35 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and four pass breakups.
Alexander joins UW: Former Kennedy Catholic High School of Burien standout Xe'ree Alexander, who played last season at Central Florida, announced that he has committed to play at Washington.
Alexander, a 6-foot-2, 223-pound linebacker, was second on Central Florida in tackles last season as a sophomore with 68, including four for loss. He transferred to Central Florida after leading Idaho in tackles as a true freshman in 2023.
UW adds Lynden native Eldridge: Lynden native Kade Eldridge, considered the No. 8 player in the state during the 2023 recruiting cycle, picked USC out of a final group that also included Michigan, Oregon, Washington State and Washington.
Now, Eldridge is returning to his home state more than two years later.
Eldridge, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end, announced he will transfer to UW. He has three years of eligibility remaining and provides important depth for a position group that was riddled with injuries during the 2024 season.
FIU safety joins Huskies: CJ Christian, a safety who played the past three seasons at Florida International, has committed to Washington.
Christian, who played two years at Iowa Central Community College before transferring to FIU, has one year of eligibility.
Two Arizona defensive players transfer to UW: Arizona linebacker Jacob Manu announced he will transfer to UW for his final season of eligibility. The 5-foot-11, 228-pound linebacker adds crucial experience to a Husky position group that will lose all of its top contributors after the 2024 season and familiarity with coach Jedd Fisch's staff after playing a key role in Arizona's 2023 resurrection.
Manu will be joined by Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, a defensive lineman the past three seasons at Arizona. Uiagalelei, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound edge, played in 33 games at Arizona and started in 18.
SoccerReign land Williams in blockbuster trade
The Reign acquired U.S. women's national team forward Lynn Williams and goalkeeper Cassie Miller from Gotham FC in exchange for midfielder Jaelin Howell, an international roster spot and $70,000 in allocation money, the clubs announced Friday.
Williams, the MVP in 2016, has tallied 80 goals across all NWSL competitions, becoming the league's all-time leading scorer with her 79th goal in May. Williams, 31, is also the only player in NWSL history with 60 goals and 30 assists in regular-season play.
"I am honored to join Seattle Reign FC and step into this new opportunity in my career," Williams said in a released statement. "I've always said, 'If you aren't challenging yourself, you're not growing,' and this is definitely another challenge for me. I can't wait to meet all you Reign fans and get to know more about the culture here. I'm excited to meet my teammates and hopefully build lasting connections on and off the field."
The Reign also added goalkeeper Miller. In Seattle, she'll likely provide depth behind Claudia Dickey, who started 12 games in 2024.
BasketballHuskies land French prospect Diomande
Just in time for the holidays, the Washington men's basketball team received a tremendous gift when international prospect Dominique Diomande joined the Huskies as a walk-on and enrolled in classes at UW, the school announced Saturday.
"I'm so excited," Diomande said during an interview with Pro Insight in November. "I just want to play basketball right now. The last game I played was against Monaco in May six months ago so right now I just want to ... see my (UW) teammates, see my coaches and see Seattle. I just want to play."
The 6-foot-7 wing from Tours, France is working to attain a U.S. visa and is expected to be available in January.
"We are very excited to welcome Dom into our Husky basketball family and the University of Washington," coach Danny Sprinkle said in a statement. "He has been working very hard to fulfill the international and academic requirements for admission."
The 19-year-old wing is considered an intriguing NBA draft prospect due to his athleticism, size and untapped potential.