DENVER— Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway is expected to rejoin the Denver Broncos as their chief football executive by midweek, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the The Associated Press on Sunday.

Team spokesman Patrick Smyth said reports that the team had already reached an agreement with Elway were premature.

LANDOVER, Md. — Tom Coughlin will return as coach of the New York Giants next season, and his status wasn't in question at all, according to team co-owner John Mara.Speaking Sunday after the Giants were assured of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season, Mara put an end to any speculation about Coughlin's future.New York finished its season with a 17-14 victory over the Washington Redskins, but the Giants didn't get the help they needed to claim the NFC's remaining wild-card berth.

BALTIMORE — Randy Edsall, who diligently worked to build the Connecticut football program into a winner, has been hired to pull off a similar feat at Maryland. Edsall was picked Sunday to replace Ralph Friedgen, who was fired after a 10-year run at his alma mater.Edsall spent 12 years at Connecticut and guided the Huskies to a pair of conference titles and four straight bowl berths.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon is the main suspect in a fatal shooting New Year’s Eve in the Dominican Republic, police said Sunday.The pitcher is suspected of killing 25-year-old Michel Castillo Almonte and wounding his 17-year-old brother.