Boise State hires Coyle as AD

BOISE (AP) - Boise State University has hired Mark Coyle as its new athletic director.

University President Bob Kustra hired Coyle on Thursday to take over for Gene Bleymaier, who was let go in August after serving 29 years as the head of Broncos sports programs.

Coyle has been deputy athletic director at Kentucky.

Kustra fired Bleymaier in the wake of sanctions imposed by the school stemming from an NCAA investigation.

The NCAA placed Boise State on probation for three years and imposed other sanctions for major violations by the football program and other sports.

Coyle will have a series of challenges: Keeping football coach Chris Petersen from jumping ship for a larger program, raising millions for ambitious facility expansion plans and keeping Boise State's nose clean with college sports' governing body.

EWU's Mitchell a finalist for Walter Payton Award

Eastern Washington quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, presented to the top player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

The award will be presented at the annual FCS Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas.

A year ago after transferring from Southern Methodist University in nearby Dallas, Mitchell helped lead Eastern to the NCAA Division I title. This year, he was selected as the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Other finalists for the award include Lehigh quarterback Chris Lum and Indiana State running back Shakir Bell. Eastern's Erik Meyer won the Payton Award in 2005.