College Basketball Coach Handcuffed and Escorted Off Court by Security During End-of-Game Handshakes: ‘I Was Violated’

Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Benjy Taylor, coach of Tuskegee University men's basketball team, was handcuffed by security following a Jan. 31 game

• The incident occurred on the court after an away game at Morehouse College in Atlanta

• Taylor, 58, said in a statement, "I am at a loss for words and I am upset about how I was violated and treated today"

Tuskegee University men's basketball coach Benjy Taylorwas handcuffedand detained by campus security after a recent game, where he was trying to get his team out of what he called "a very dangerous situation."

The incident occurred at Morehouse College in Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 31, as the players were shaking hands.

Video of the moment shared on X shows Taylor, 58, looking frustrated while speaking to a security guard as students flood the court after a 77-69 Morehouse victory.

The guard can then be seen handcuffing Taylor and leading him away.

Trying to sort out what happened at the end of this HBCU rivalry game 👀Here is what we know:https://t.co/eDyEz8cuSKpic.twitter.com/en5f6Qq3Oj

— HBCU Gameday (@HBCUGameday)January 31, 2026

In a statement toHBCU Gameday, Tuskegee Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin said that Taylor had been attempting to get the security guard to address an on-court "security breach" — specifically, that Morehouse football players were allegedly joining the Morehouse basketball players for theend-of-game handshakes, which goes against conference protocol.

"We have security measures for our protection of our officials, our student athlete coaches and spectators," he said.

"You got ... [intermingling] football players shaking hands with the team," he said. "You don't do that … that's a security breach," he added.

"He [Taylor] asked the security officer, 'Can you please remove them from the line?' " Ruffin continued, adding that he disagreed with the security officer's alleged claim that Taylor was "very aggressive" during the exchange.

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Taylor was released from handcuffs shortly after and returned home with the team as scheduled, per HBCU Gameday.

Representatives for Morehouse and Tuskegee did not immediately respond to PEOPLE'S request for comment on Sunday, Feb. 1.

"I am at a loss for words and I am upset about how I was violated and treated today," Taylor said in a statement toThe Field of 68.

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"For my players, my family and people of Tuskegee to witness that is heartbreaking for me. I was simply trying to get the football team out of the handshake line as they were following right behind me and the team yelling obscenities! It was a very dangerous situation," he added.

Taylor did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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February 01, 2026

College Basketball Coach Handcuffed and Escorted Off Court by Security During End-of-Game Handshakes: ‘I Was Violated’

Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty NEED TO KNOW Benjy Taylor, coach of Tuskegee University men's basketball team, was handcuffed by security...

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Raiders to hire Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as head coach

TheLas Vegas Raidersare looking to take a piece of theSeattle Seahawks' Super Bowl magic for themselves, with the hopes that the team's latest hire from the franchise works out better than the last.

TheRaidersare set to hireSeahawksoffensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their new head coach, according to multiple reports.

Kubiak's hire cannot become official until after Super Bowl 60, in which the Seahawks will face off against the New England Patriots for a chance at the franchise's second Super Bowl title.

Kubiak, 38, did not have an in-person interview with the Raiders until Jan. 31. The Raiders andArizona Cardinalsstood as the only two teams that had not filled head-coaching vacancies entering the weekend, witheight others already having made hires this offseason.

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Tapped by coach Mike Macdonald last year to oversee a reimagining of Seattle's offense, Kubiak led a unit that ranked third in scoring and was one of the league's most explosive attacks. Quarterback Sam Darnold slipped in seamlessly to the scheme with his aggressive passing, which helped wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba outpace the rest of the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards.

A far more imposing undertaking awaits inLas Vegas, which fired former Seahawks coach Pete Carrollafter posting a 3-14 record in his lone season at the helm. With continued problems up front, the Raiders posted a league-worst 77.5 rushing yards per game despite selecting running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick last April. Meanwhile, quarterback Geno Smith − acquired by Las Vegas in a trade with the Seahawks last March − led the NFL with 17 interceptions while tying for first in sacks taken (55).

A major reworking could be ahead in the coming months. Not only are the Raiders projected to have the second-most cap space of any team this offseason with $81.3 million, according to Over The Cap, but they also hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendozais widely seen as the overwhelming front-runner for the selection, as the Heisman Trophy winner would give Tom Brady and Mark Davis a long-sought solution behind center.

The Raiders also interviewed Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb, who laterdropped out of consideration for the job, and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, among others, with several candidates taking positions elsewhere.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Raiders to hire Klint Kubiak as next head coach

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February 01, 2026

Raiders to hire Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as head coach

TheLas Vegas Raidersare looking to take a piece of theSeattle Seahawks' Super Bowl magic for themselves, with the hop...

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Alexander Volkanovski defends featherweight title vs. Diego Lopes

In front of a deafening Sydney crowd, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski survived a fifth-round rally attempt from Diego Lopes to win yet another unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) in their rematch at UFC 325 Sunday morning.

Just like their first meeting last April at UFC 314, Lopes (27-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC) wouldn't let Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) coast easily, as the first three rounds saw Lopes take Volkanovski's best shots and deliver some of his own. But Volkanovski retaliated with adjustments throughout, utilizing the clinch to cut Lopes's cage room off.

Volkanovski's win was his first title defense during his second reign, ushering in a reinvigorated era at featherweight moving forward.

But for Volkanovski, winning his first fight in his home country in nearly three years with full backing of the Australian crowd felt different.

"I didn't want to stand (with Lopes) for 25 minutes, but we got the job done," Volkanovski said.

Volkanovski said he's excited to get back in the Octagon soon, saying he would "see what's next" with his team.

Lopes was humble in defeat, although he had a visible reaction to the one judge who ruled all five rounds in Volkanovski's favor.

"I think Volkanovski is one of the best in the division and has been for this long," the Brazilian competitor said.

Lopes called this part of the journey "step-by-step," as he prepares for an uncertain next fight after his second failed championship match against the future Hall of Famer.

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Lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis of France effortlessly defeated New Zealand's Dan Hooker by second-round TKO in the night's co-main event with punches from the mount position.

Saint-Denis (17-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) has put himself in a firm position to remain in title contention this year with four straight wins, while Hooker (24-14 MMA, 14-10 UFC) has dropped back-to-back fights and will continue to go back to the drawing board.

A devastating right hand from lightweight Mauricio Ruffy of Brazil marked the beginning of the end of a high-stakes featured bout opposite Rafael Fiziev of Azerbaijan. Ruffy (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) secured a TKO victory with 30 seconds left in the second round, bouncing back from a loss to Saint-Denis for his eighth win in the last nine fights.

As for Fiziev (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC), he has lost four of his last five outings since his six-match win streak was snapped in March 2023.

In the second bout of the main card, heavyweights took center stage as Brazil's Tallison Teixeira outworked Australia's Tai Tuivasa to win a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 using crisp striking and dominant wrestling through the first two rounds to put Tuivasa in survival mode entering Round 3.

A rally by Tuivasa in an attempt to secure a comeback KO/TKO stoppage fell short. Teixeira (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) handed Tuivasa (15-9 MMA, 8-9 UFC) his sixth straight loss dating back to September 2022.

The UFC 325 main card opened with lightweight Quillan Salkilld doing his part by not fooling the oddsmakers, making quick work of Jamie Mullarkey with a rear-naked-choke submission finish at 3:02 of the opening round in a battle of Australian competitors.

Salkilld (11-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) closed at DraftKings Sportsbook at -1050, making him the largest betting favorite on the card. Meanwhile, Mullarkey (18-9 MMA, 6-7 UFC) has lost three of his last four.

The UFC does not have a numbered event scheduled in February, with UFC 326 scheduled for March 7 in Las Vegas. The promotion returns to Las Vegas next Saturday for its first UFC Fight Night event of the year from the Meta APEX (formerly UFC APEX).

-Field Level Media

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February 01, 2026

Alexander Volkanovski defends featherweight title vs. Diego Lopes

In front of a deafening Sydney crowd, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski survived a fifth-round rally at...

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Justin Rose enters final round at Farmers with 6-shot lead

England's Justin Rose might be too far ahead for the rest of the golfers in the Farmers Insurance Open to catch up.

Rose shot a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday in the third round to carry a six-stroke lead into the final round in San Diego.

Despite three bogeys on the Torrey Pines South Course's back nine, Rose enters Sunday's play at 21-under 195 for the tournament.

Joel Dahmen also posted a 68, putting him in second place. Japan's Ryo Hisatsune (68) and South Korea's Si Woo Kim (69) share third place at 13 under. Max McGreevy (71) is next at 12 under.

"If Justin makes his tee time and continues to play this way, he's going to win the golf tournament," Dahmen said. "He's just playing too well."

Rose is looking for his second title at Torrey Pines, where he won in 2019 with a 21-under score.

On Saturday, Rose was 4 under through seven holes and added a birdie on No. 10 before a pair of bogeys. His birdie on the 13th hole got him back on track, while he finished the round with a birdie putt from about 3 1/2 feet on the par-5 18th.

"I played well, gave myself a lot of chances," Rose said after the round. "In some ways, yeah, you walk off thinking maybe it could have been lower, you know. You never want to say that after a 68 at Torrey or obviously being in the position that I'm in, but yeah I played really, really well today."

Maverick McNealy (70), Germany's Stephan Jaeger (65) and Ireland's Seamus Power (74) are at 11 under.

Jaeger had the best round of the day with all pars and birdies. Defending champion Harris English recorded a 67 and sits tied for 20th at 8 under through three rounds.

"Happy to turn around and have a really nice round," Jaeger said.

Jaeger had only one birdie Friday. He said he adjusted his putting grip and that paid off.

"I think I'm going to try them again (Sunday)," he said. "I putted really nicely today so it's going to stay for a while."

The next-best rounds of 4 under were turned in by Adam Schenk and Keith Mitchell -- both at 9 under -- along with Australia's Jason Day, Rose, Hisatsune and Dahmen.

Brooks Koepka, in his first tournament since defecting from the LIV Golf ranks, won't factor in the final round after posting his second 73 of the tournament during an erratic round. He's at 2 under and tied for 61st.

Koepka said he was nervous upon making his return. Now playing on the weekend, he's relieved regarding the reception he has received.

"It has been phenomenal," Koepka said. "It has been overwhelming. It has been very cool. I don't know what I expected, but this is beyond what I could have dreamed of."

Chris Gotterup, who won the season-opening Sony Open a couple of weekends ago, said golfers are anxious to find positives early in the schedule.

"All of us want to get off to good starts (to the season)," he said.

Gotterup shot 70 for the second straight day and is tied for 20th at 8 under, but he said the course is offering a fair yet challenging test.

"You have to be in the fairway, you have to be in the right spots on the greens," Gotterup said. "Whoever wins this week is going to earn it."

--Field Level Media

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February 01, 2026

Justin Rose enters final round at Farmers with 6-shot lead

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Ohio State hires Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator Saturday, the second straight year coach Ryan Day has turned to a coordinator with extensive NFL experience.

Smith was the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator the past two seasons after being the Atlanta Falcons head coach from 2021 through '23.

"He will bring immediate value to our program and was exactly what we were looking for as we set out to find our next offensive coordinator," Day said in a statement. "His track record in the NFL, experience as coordinator, player caller and a head coach checked every box during the search. He'll do a great job in helping our players reach their potential on the field while also connecting with them as people."

Smith replaces Brian Hartline, who was hired as South Florida's head coach after eight seasons in Columbus.

The 43-year old Smith has not been on a college staff since he was a defensive intern at Ole Miss in 2010.

Smith also interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans head coach openings as well as the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator position. He was on the Titans staff from 2011 through '20. rising from a quality control coach to offensive coordinator his last two years. He began his NFL coaching career as a quality control coach in Washington in 2007.

He is the only offensive coordinator/head coach in the NFL to have seven different running backs with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in that past seven years — Derrick Henry at Tennessee, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson at Atlanta, and Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell with the Steelers.

Smith has also coached quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill, Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariotta, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.

Day is hoping Smith's hire goes as well as his selection of Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator last year. The Buckeyes had the nation's top-ranked defense and allowed only 8.2 points per game.

Ohio State was 18th in the nation in scoring offense and 24th in total offense in 2025. Heisman finalist Julian Sayin will be returning at quarterback as as dynamic wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, an AP All-America selection the past two years.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP News mobile app). AP college football:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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January 31, 2026

Ohio State hires Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator Saturday, the second straight year coach Rya...

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Seahawks' Klint Kubiak in 2nd round of head coach interviews with Raiders and Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak interviewed Saturday for the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching job and was also scheduled, according to multiple reports, to meet with Arizona Cardinals officials about their vacancy.

This was the second round of interviews with Kubiak for both teams — the last two NFL clubs still searching for head coaches.

If Kubiak reaches an agreement with either team, no announcement can be made until after theSuper Bowlon Feb. 8 between the Seahawks and New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California.

Kubiak also could decide to stay in Seattle and wait another year rather than take on a challenge of turning around a franchise — either one — that since 2022 represent two of the three worst in terms of losses.

The Raiders haven't won a playoff game since their last Super Bowl appearance in the 2002 season. They have made the postseason just twice since, most recently in the 2021 season. The Raiders went 3-14 this season, resulting in thefiring of Pete Carroll.

Las Vegas has been a revolving door of coaches, and the Raiders will begin next season with a different person in charge for the third year in a row.

But the Raiders also have the top pick in this year's NFL draft and are expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy winnerled Indiana to the national championshipand could be the franchise QB the organization has long sought.

Management will have nearly $90 million in salary cap space to surround Mendoza with potential talent, the second-highest amount in the league, according to overthecap.com.

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Both teams have taken their time to fill this position, though the Raiders seemed to have focused recently on Kubiak. That became even more clear this week when Denver quarterbacks coach Davis Webb reportedly pulled his name from consideration.

Team minority owner Tom Brady was notably complimentary of the 38-year-old Kubiak while serving as the Fox Sports analyst during theNFC championshipon Sunday between the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams NFC championship. Sam Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-27 victory.

Arizona's stealthy, meandering search is nearing four weeks. Jonathan Gannonwas fired on Jan. 5 after a 15-36 recordover three years, including a 3-14 mark this season.

The Cardinals haven't officially announced any interviews, but have been linked to discussions with several candidates, including Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera.

Campanile appears to be out of the running after signing a new deal with the Jaguars. Joseph was the Cardinals' defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022.

Arizona hasn't made the playoffs since 2021 and has the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft. The Cardinals' roster could be in a state of flux — particularly at quarterback. Kyler Murray is in the middle of a $230.5 million deal that could keep him in the desert through 2028, but the 28-year-old missed most of last season with a foot injury and it's unclear whether the franchise wants to stick with him after seven seasons.

It was Kubiak's work with Darnold that got the attention of both Southwest-based teams. Darnold, taken third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL draft, had been considered a bust until leading Minnesota to a 14-win season in 2024. But the Vikings moved on from Darnold, and he proved that season was no fluke by winning 14 games in Seattle en routeto leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowlagainst New England.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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January 31, 2026

Seahawks' Klint Kubiak in 2nd round of head coach interviews with Raiders and Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak interviewed Saturday for the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching job...

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Jordon Hudson Planning ‘Huge Bash’ for Boyfriend Bill Belichick on ‘Same Day' as Football Hall of Fame Ceremony (Exclusive)

Kevin Mazur/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Jordon Hudson is planning a "huge bash" for boyfriend Bill Belichick on the same day as the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a source tells PEOPLE exclusively

• The eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach didn't reach the final round of voting to be inducted this year

• Tom Brady, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcels, as well as "many of the outspoken supporters," are invited to the summertime party to celebrate Belichick, according to the insider

Jordon Hudsonis planning a "huge bash" for boyfriendBill Belichick, after the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach was snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As A-listers from all over the sports world — includingTom Brady,LeBron James,Deion SandersandPatrick Mahomes— said they're baffled after Belichick, 73, was not voted as a first ballot Hall-of-Famer, a source tells PEOPLE exclusively that Hudson, 24, is planning to celebrate the former New England Patriots coach with a party on the same day as the HOF ceremony on Aug 8.

"Jordon is planning to throw Bill a huge bash on the same day as the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony," the insider says.

"Tom Brady, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Parcels and others who were planning on attending Bill's HOF induction ceremony in Canton are invited," the source continues, referring to some big names in the NFL world.

Other invitees, the source adds, include "many of the outspoken supporters from the wake of Belichick's HOF snub."

Jared C. Tilton/Getty

According to the source, the planned party lines up with the HOF ceremony this summer, because those invited "were already planning to travel to support Bill."

"The purpose of the bash is to celebrate alongside all of his people," the insider adds.

This year's official HOF inductees — which may include Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 49ers running back Roger Craig and Bengals quarterback Kenny Anderson — will be revealed next week.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

When Belichick was first announced as a Hall of Fame finalist in December, he set aside his feud with Kraft, 84, who wasdenied nominations for the honor more than a dozen timesafter he was involved in scandals like"Deflategate"andaccused of soliciting sex workersat a spa in Florida. (Those charges were later dropped.)

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After it was revealed that Belichick, who has dealt with heavy public interest surrounding his relationship with Hudson, was not voted into the Hall of Fame when first eligible, sports stars from all leagues expressed their confusion.

Belichick's longtime quarterback Brady, 48, said, perESPN, "I don't understand it. I mean, I was with him every day. If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is completely ridiculous because people deserve it."

The retire athlete added, "There's no coach I'd rather play for. If I'm picking one coach to go out there to win a Super Bowl — give me one season — I'm taking Bill Belichick. So that's enough said."

Chiefs quarterback Mahomes, 30, said in a poston X, "Insane… don't even understand how this could be possible," while football coach Sanders, 58, called the snub "straight out IGNORANT," writingon Xthat Belichick is "arguably the BEST NFL COACH TO EVER COACH THE GAME!"

NBA star James, 41,saidin his own social media post, "Man there's no way I read that right! Right? Ain't no WAY Bill Belichick ain't 1st Ballot HOF!! That's IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL!"

J.J. Watt also expressed his shock on X. "I can't be reading this right. This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something, it can't be the actual NFL Hall of Fame, There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer," hewrote.

ESPNandUSA Todayreported earlier this month that Belichick didn't reach the final round of voting, securing only 40 of the 50 votes needed for induction. Inductees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (also referred to as the NFL Hall of Fame) are selected by a committee of up to 50 people.

The official list of who did and didn't write Belichick's name down hasn't been released. The official list of 2026 inductees will not be announced until theNFL Honorson Feb. 5.

Belichick will not be able to be reconsidered for the HOF spot until 2027.

Read the original article onPeople

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in Celebrities, Lifestyle, SHOWBIZ, Spoprts

January 31, 2026

Jordon Hudson Planning ‘Huge Bash’ for Boyfriend Bill Belichick on ‘Same Day' as Football Hall of Fame Ceremony (Exclusive)

Kevin Mazur/Getty NEED TO KNOW Jordon Hudson is planning a "huge bash" for boyfriend Bill Belichick...

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