coach rick

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle received a congratulatory phone call from President Barack Obama on Friday.

Louisville and coach Rick Pitino have agreed in principle to a four-year contract extension that will keep Pitino with the Cardinals through 2017.

Financial terms have yet to be worked out, but athletic director Tom Jurich says he wants Pitino's salary to be competitive with the top 10 coaching salaries in the country.

Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan will miss the 2010 season because of a right elbow injury that will require surgery.

Nathan, who leads the major leagues with 246 saves since 2004, made the decision after playing catch with Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson for 10 minutes on Sunday.

"It didn't go like we hoped," Nathan said.