San Francisco — Mike Singletary was fired by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night after two disappointing seasons, including a 5-10 showing this year for a franchise expected to win the NFC West.

The team made the announcement late Sunday upon returning to the Bay Area, several hours after San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention with a 25-17 loss at St. Louis. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula was promoted to interim coach and will run the team in Sunday’s season finale at home against Arizona.

NFL

Panthers secure No. 1 pick

Charlotte, N.C. — It took a rare Sunday off for the Carolina Panthers to win something big this season — the No. 1 overall draft pick. The Panthers are on the clock for April’s draft and potentially in position to take Stanford star quarterback Andrew Luck.

Ravens LB Kindle arrested

Jessup, Md. — Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle was arrested early Sunday on drunken driving charges, court records show. Kindle, 23, was pulled over shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday in the Jessup area. The former University of Texas standout was cited for driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and related offenses and was freed on $10,000 bond.

College Football

President defends handling of case

South Bend, Ind. — Notre Dame’s president says the university acted with integrity in its handling of sexual-misconduct allegations against a football player by a St. Mary’s College student who later committed suicide.

Campus police conducted a “thorough and judicious investigation that followed the facts where they led,” the Rev. John I. Jenkins told the South Bend Tribune for a story Sunday.

“I cannot stand by and allow the integrity of Notre Dame to be challenged so publicly,” Jenkins said. “The values at issue go to the very heart of who and what we are at Notre Dame.”

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak said Dec. 16 that his office won’t pursue criminal charges in the case.

Nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Seeberg died of a suspected drug overdose Sept. 10. Dvorak said Seeberg accused a student-athlete of touching her breasts on Aug. 31. He didn’t reveal the name of the athlete.

Tech D-coordinator leaving

Lubbock, Texas — Texas Tech defensive coordinator James Willis is leaving after one season to pursue other opportunities.

The school said Sunday that Willis will not coach in the Ticket City Bowl against Northwestern on New Year’s Day.

3 Ga. Tech players miss curfew

Atlanta — Georgia Tech will be without three players for the first half of tonight’s Independence Bowl against Air Force because they missed a team curfew. Coach Paul Johnson announced Sunday that starting defensive end Anthony Egbuniwe and reserve defensive backs Louis Young and Michael Peterson won’t be allowed to play until the second half.

College Basketball

Seton Hall guard shot, wounded

New York — Seton Hall University basketball team senior guard Jeremy Hazell was shot and wounded Christmas night by someone who tried to rob him and was taken to a hospital, a school spokesman confirmed on Sunday.

Hazell, who has been away from the basketball court since undergoing wrist surgery Dec. 2, was kept overnight at a Manhattan hospital as a precaution and was resting at home in Harlem late Sunday.

Baseball

Reports: Rangers sign P Webb

Multiple reports surfaced Sunday night the Texas Rangers and free-agent pitcher Brandon Webb agreed to a one-year deal, pending a physical. Webb missed the majority of the previous two seasons due to shoulder problems.

Olympics

Olympic filmmaker dies at 84

Oh, to catch Bud Greenspan’s eye and then turn up in one of his Olympic documentaries. For many athletes, the honor ranked just behind winning a medal. The filmmaker, whose riveting tales soared as triumphantly as the men and women he chronicled for more than six decades, died Saturday at his home in New York City of complications from Parkinson’s disease, companion Nancy Beffa said. He was 84.