HOUSTON — Penn State coach Bill O'Brien won the Paul “Bear” Bryant College Coach of the Year Award.

O'Brien led the Nittany Lions through an 0-2 start and NCAA sanctions to an 8-4 finish in his first season at Penn State.

Judge dismisses Vilma's lawsuit

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma's defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in connection with the bounty case was dismissed by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan in New Orleans ruled in favor of Goodell's motion to dismiss Vilma's complaint, which was filed in May and set out 11 claims. Vilma had argued that Goodell made false statements, tarnishing the player's reputation.

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers hired former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt to serve as the team's offensive coordinator.

NEW YORK — Kobe Bryant was voted to his NBA-record 15th consecutive All-Star start, leading four Los Angeles players into next month's game.Lakers teammate Dwight Howard and the Clippers' Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will join Bryant in the Western Conference lineup for the Feb. 17 game in Houston. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, the MVP of last year's game, rounds out the five.Kevin Garnett held off Chris Bosh in fan balloting, giving the East two Boston Celtics and two Miami Heat players. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will represent the defending champions and receive passes from Rajon Rondo. New York's Carmelo Anthony is the other starter.