TAMPA, Fla. — The Buccaneers say Lovie Smith is the ideal man to coach Tampa Bay.

The team made it official, announcing the one-time Tony Dungy protege who led the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl seven years ago finalized a five-year contract that he had reportedly agreed to on Wednesday. He will be formally introduced at a news conference next Monday.

The 55-year-old Smith replaces Greg Schiano, who was fired Monday following a 4-12 finish. The Bucs also dismissed general manager Mark Dominik, and the search for his successor continues.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — If the Bears make changes this offseason, it will not be at quarterback.Chicago signed Jay Cutler to a seven-year contract, ending speculation they might make a change after five seasons of good and bad from their talented signal-caller. Cutler clearly thrived under first-year coach Marc Trestman and now has some of the best complements on offense he's had since arriving in Chicago in 2009.The Bears also signed cornerback Tim Jennings, who has led the team in interceptions in each of the past two seasons, and guard Matt Slauson to four-year deals. Like Cutler, both players were scheduled to become free agents.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Candace Parker didn’t think much about having her jersey retired when she played at Tennessee, saying she was more concerned about putting national championship banners in the Thompson-Boling Arena rafters.Now she has both.Parker, who led Tennessee to national titles in 2007 and 2008, had her No. 3 jersey retired before the fifth-ranked Lady Vols lost to No. 16 LSU.Parker, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the reigning WNBA most valuable player, joined Tennessee coach Holly Warlick, Lady Vols head coach emeritus Pat Summitt for the midcourt ceremony.