Mora will take over for Holmgren in ’09

Jim Mora will succeed Seattle Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren, beginning with the 2009 season.

After serving as the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for one more season, Mora, 46, will begin a four-year contract as head coach.

Seahawks President Tim Ruskell and Chief Executive Officer Tod Leiweke both emphasized during a news conference Wednesday that the move gives the team stability.

Mora, the former Atlanta coach, took the Falcons to the NFC championship game in 2004, his first season in Atlanta, and Ruskell’s only season as player personnel director there before he became Seattle’s president and general manager. The Falcons, 26-22 under Mora, fired Mora on New Year’s Day, 2007.

Fired in Buffalo and passed over in Washington, Gregg Williams was hired as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He replaces Mike Smith, Atlanta’s new coach. Williams, who many believed would succeed Joe Gibbs, spent four seasons as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator in Washington.

Former Oakland receiver James Lofton officially joined the Raiders coaching staff as the receivers coach. Former receivers coach Charles Coe will be reassigned.

Former Houston Oilers linebacker John Grimsley, 45, was found fatally shot in his suburban Houston home, the apparent victim of a gun cleaning accident, an official said. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden was acquitted on charges stemming from a Sept. 5 confrontation with police at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

“Inside the NFL” is ending its 31-year run on HBO.

The program is owned by NFL Films, which will look to continue the show on another network this fall.

BASEBALL

Shoulder still bothering Escobar

The shoulder inflammation that forced Kelvim Escobar to miss a start in late September flared up again this winter, and the Angels right-hander, coming off a career year, is expected to open the season on the disabled list.

An MRI test showed no significant changes in the shoulder from last fall, which “was somewhat of a relief,” General Manager Tony Reagins said, but Manager Mike Scioscia acknowledged that the rehabilitation program the team has mapped out won’t have Escobar ready by the March 31 season opener at Minnesota.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

Nolan Ryan was hired as president of the Texas Rangers, reuniting the Hall of Famer with the team he pitched for at the end of his career.

Ryan, 61, replaces Jeff Cogen, who was moved by owner Tom Hicks to the Dallas Stars during a shakeup of his hockey team in November.

Ryan has recently been a consultant and special assistant for the Houston Astros.

Former Angels reliever Brendan Donnelly, who underwent elbow surgery in August, agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. Donnelly, 36, spent last season with the Boston Red Sox, going 2-1 with a 3.05 earned-run average.

Bobby Kielty, 31, a reserve outfielder who homered for Boston in the clinching game of the 2007 World Series, agreed to a minor league contract with the Red Sox.

SOCCER

England’s new coach prevails in his debut

Fabio Capello got off to a winning start as England’s soccer coach, with Shaun Wright-Phillips scoring a tiebreaking goal in the 62nd minute of a 2-1 exhibition victory over Switzerland at Wembley Stadium.

Brazil defeated Ireland,1-0, in Dublin on Robinho’s goal in the 66th minute. . . . Fabio Quagliarella headed in a goal after less than 30 seconds on the field, helping Italy beat Portugal, 3-1, in Zurich. . . . Germany scored all of its goals in the second half in a 3-0 win over Austria in Vienna. . . . Joan Capdevila scored an 80th-minute goal to give Spain a 1-0 victory over France in Malaga.

TENNIS

Top-seeded Radwanska beats King in Thailand

Vania King was beaten, 7-5, 7-6 (5) by top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the first round of the Pattaya Women’s Open in Thailand.

Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva defeated Petra Kvitova, 7-6 (7), 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals of the Open Gaz de France in Paris.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Quarterback decides to leave Georgia Tech

Starting quarterback Taylor Bennett, a drop-back passer, won’t return for his senior season at Georgia Tech because new Coach Paul Johnson will install an option offense. He did not name a new school.