TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama fired football coach Mike Shula less than a year after the Crimson Tide finished a 10-2 season, according to a newspaper report.

Shula told his assistant coaches late Sunday night that Alabama athletic director Mal Moore had dismissed him, The Tuscaloosa News reported on its Web site.

The Crimson Tide went 6-6 this season, finishing the season with three straight losses.

DETROIT — Michigan State is close to hiring Cincinnati's Mark Dantonio as its football coach, with an official telling The Associated Press on Sunday night that university president Lou Anna Simon will recommend the move to the board of trustees.The school only said that is has scheduled a special board of trustees meeting for Monday morning.

ATLANTA — Michael Vick apologized for making an obscene gesture toward Atlanta fans as he walked off the field after the Falcons' fourth straight loss Sunday.Vick used both hands to deliver the gesture and flashed an angry look toward the handful of fans remaining in the Georgia Dome. Those who hung around booed the home team loudly after its dismal 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired left-hander Doug Davis from Milwaukee on Saturday in a six-player deal that sent catcher Johnny Estrada to the Brewers.Right-handers Greg Aquino and Claudio Vargas also went to Milwaukee, while the Diamondbacks obtained left-hander Dana Eveland and outfielder Dave Krynzel.

BALTIMORE — Free-agent reliever Danys Baez and the Baltimore Orioles reached a preliminary agreement on a $19 million, three-year contract Sunday night.

CARSON, Calif. — Kristine Lilly scored on a penalty kick late in overtime to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday night in the championship game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.