Knoxville, Tenn. ? Tennessee and Lane Kiffin have reached a tentative agreement with the former Oakland Raiders coach to lead the Volunteers, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Friday.

A formal announcement was expected early next week, said the person, who requested anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

Kiffin, 33, replaces Phillip Fulmer, who was forced out after 17 seasons as Vols coach. Fulmer won a national championship in 1998, but had two losing seasons in the last five years, including a 4-7 mark this year.

Tennessee athletic department spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter declined to comment on Kiffin because Fulmer had not finished his season.

The Vols (3-7, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) will entertain Kentucky (6-5, 2-5) tonight in what has been dubbed “Phillip Fulmer appreciation day.”

Kiffin was the youngest coach in the NFL’s modern history when hired to lead the Raiders in January 2007 at age 31.

The son of longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin had a rocky relationship with Oakland owner Al Davis, who fired him Sept. 30 for what he said was insubordination. Kiffin had a 5-15 record with the Raiders.

He since has filed a grievance with the NFL to claim salary he maintains he’s owed by the team.

Kiffin spent seven seasons as an assistant at Southern California under coach Pete Carroll, including two as recruiting and offensive coordinator. He was a backup quarterback at Fresno State, where he began his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach. He also spent two seasons as offensive line coach at Colorado State.

Tennessee announced on Nov. 3 that the 58-year-old Fulmer would not be back next season. He has a 151-52 record as coach.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Pitt’s win lifts Cincinnati

Pittsburgh — LeSean McCoy scored his second touchdown with 52 seconds left to finish off a 183-yard performance, and Pittsburgh beat rival West Virginia, 19-15, on Friday to make Cincinnati the Big East champion.

NBA

Knicks suspend Marbury

Greenburgh, N.Y. — The New York Knicks needed Stephon Marbury to play, then suspended him a game and docked him nearly $400,000 in salary Friday after claiming he refused.

The disgruntled guard insists he never told coach Mike D’Antoni “no” and plans to appeal.

D’Antoni wouldn’t go into specifics of their conversation that took place before Wednesday’s loss in Detroit, though he made it clear he asked the point guard to play because the Knicks were short-handed.

James blasts Barkley

Cleveland — LeBron James reacted strongly to Charles Barkley’s comments that the Cavaliers standout isn’t showing respect for Cleveland fans and his teammates by discussing his possible free agency following the 2010 season.

“He’s stupid. That’s all I’ve got to say about that,” James said Friday night before the Cavaliers’ game against Golden State.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Marshall guard dismissed

Huntington, W.Va. — Brandon Powell was dismissed from Marshall’s basketball team for an unspecified violation of team policy. Powell, a third-year sophomore guard, transferred from Florida in 2007.

NFL

Miami’s Porter fined

Davie, Fla. — Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter has been fined $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct during Miami’s 48-28 loss to New England on Sunday. NFL spokesman Corry Rush said Friday that Porter was fined for orally abusing the opponent after the play was over.

Giants’ Burress sidelined

East Rutherford, N.J. — New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress will miss Sunday’s game against Washington because of a sore right hamstring.

BASEBALL

Rangers trade Littleton

Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers have traded pitcher Wes Littleton to the Boston Red Sox for a player or players to be named and cash. The Rangers, who announced the trade Friday, designated the right-hander for assignment on Nov. 20. He pitched out of the bullpen in 12 games last season after making a combined 68 appearances the two previous seasons. He was 0-0 with a 6.00 earned-run average in 2008.

Nats’ Redding has surgery

Washington — Nationals right-hander Tim Redding had surgery to repair a bone in a joint on his left foot Friday and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

Ryan’s discoverer dies

Tyler, Texas — John Robert “Red” Murff, the New York Mets scout who discovered Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, died Friday in a Tyler nursing home. He was 87. Ryan, now president of the Texas Rangers, noted his friendship with Murff in his 1999 Hall of Fame induction speech.

GOLF

Clark leads in Australia

Melbourne, Australia — Tim Clark of South Africa shot a 2-under 70 on Friday at Huntingdale to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Australian Masters. Clark had a two-round total of 7-under 137. John Daly shot a 73 after an opening 76 and missed the cut at 5 over.

Spain up by four at Cup

Shenzhen, China — While Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal were dreaming about breaking 60, the other teams were just trying to survive Friday in the World Cup of Golf. Jimenez and Larrazabal settled for a 9-under 63 for a four-shot lead over Australia (68) and first-round leader Germany (69).

Sorenstam loses at Lexus

Singapore — Jeong Jang and Candie Kung beat Annika Sorenstam and Angela Stanford, 3 and 2, on Friday to help Asia split the six opening alternate-shot matches in the Lexus Cup, Sorenstam’s final LPGA Tour-sanctioned event before she retires.