FOOTBALL

NOLAN AGREES TO COACH 49ERS Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Nolan accepted the San Francisco 49ers’ head coaching position yesterday and began to negotiate a contract to take over the team. Nolan, a longtime coordinator for four teams who has never been a head coach, replaces Dennis Erickson. San Francisco went 2-14 this season.

Nolan, 45, has been in charge of the Ravens’ powerful defense since 2001, following stints as the coordinator with the Jets (2000), Washington (1997-99), and Giants (1993-96).

BASEBALL

SORIANO, ALOMAR, IZTURIS SIGN NEW DEALS Second baseman Alfonso Soriano and the Texas Rangers agreed yesterday to a $7.5 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.1 million. Soriano is eligible for free agency after the 2006 season.

Also yesterday, infielder Cesar Izturis got a $9.9 million, three-year deal with the Dodgers, and Roberto Alomar agreed to a one-year contract with the Devil Rays.

Other players avoiding arbitration and signing with their teams yesterday included: Cardinals starter Jason Marquis, Giants infielder Pedro Feliz, Reds sluggers Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns, Marlins starter A.J. Burnett, Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal, and Angels outfielder Jeff DaVanon.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

ILLINOIS, KANSAS HOLD TOP SPOTS IN AP POLL Illinois and Kansas were ranked 1-2 in the Associated Press’s college basketball poll yesterday for the seventh straight week, the longest such run since UConn and Duke did it for eight weeks in the 1998-99 season.

Wisconsin was the week’s lone newcomer at no. 24, jumping back in after a five-week absence and replacing George Washington, which fell out from no. 21.

HOCKEY

NHL, NHLPA TO MEET WEDNESDAY The NHL and the players’ association will meet Wednesday on a scaled-down basis in an attempt to restart stalled labor negotiations.

Yesterday, the 124th day of the lockout, NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin called Bill Daly – the NHL’s chief legal officer – to invite the league to a small gathering in what could be a last-ditch effort to save the hockey season. The idea was hatched by players’ association president Trevor Linden. The sides have not met since December 14.

– Associated Press