Report: North Carolina to hire Larry Fedora

Larry Fedora Southern Mississippi coach Larry Fedora has accepted an offer to become North Carolina's next football coach, two people familiar with the situation said Wednesday.They said the framework of a deal is in place, though it isn't final yet. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school isn't commenting publicly on its search.Fedora has guided the 22nd-ranked Golden Eagles (11-2) to a school jot down for wins, with the last coming over the weekend against unbeaten Houston in the Conference USA championship game.The first-time head coach has compiled a 33-19 jot down in four seasons, as well as spent the three years before that as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.Fedora as well as Southern Miss athletic director Richard Giannini didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.North Carolina's board of trustees has scheduled "emergency meetings to discuss a personnel matter" for today as well as Friday morning. The school said the board is expected to "take action" during Friday's meeting, with at least some portion of those meetings to be conducted in closed session.Big East introduces Boise, 4 other new members: The Big East introduced Boise State, San Diego State, Houston, SMU as well as Central Florida as its new members, effective 2013."The Big East conference is the first truly national college football conference," Commissioner John Marinatto said during a teleconference with the universities' leaders.In another development, the Air Force Academy will remain in the Mountain West Conference instead of bolting for the Big East. Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, the academy's superintendent, said Wednesday that he recently spoke with Marinatto as well as informed him of the school's intention to stay put.ASU honors: Arkansas State junior quarterback Ryan Aplin was selected as the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year as well as senior defensive lineman Brandon Joine! r was vo ted the Defensive Player of the Year, highlighting a school-record 15 All-Sun Belt Conference selections for ASU, the league office announced Wednesday. Former ASU head coach Hugh Freeze was named the league's Coach of the Year. Freeze was named the Ole Miss coach this week.SEC honors: Alabama tailback Trent Richardson is the Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne earned defensive honors. League coaches also named Arkansas' Joe Adams as the top special teams player. LSU's Les Miles was named coach of the year by his peers after leading the top-ranked Tigers into the national championship game against the Crimson Tide.Briefly: North Alabama football coach Terry Bowden says he has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the NCAA Division II school. ... Negotiations between Arizona State as well as SMU football coach June Jones broke down at the last second, leaving Jones' agent perplexed. Agent Leigh Steinberg said on his Twitter feed that everything was set, with only few tweaks left, as well as the principal decision-maker pulled the deal with no real explanation. ... Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly has won the Lombardi Award as the nation's top collegiate lineman. Kuechly, who leads the nation with 191 tackles this season, kick out Alabama linebackers Courtney Upshaw as well as Dont'a Hightower as well as Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin for the award Wednesday night.Illinois junior Whitney Mercilus has won the Hendricks Award given to the nation's best defensive end. The Akron, Ohio, native has 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks as well as nine forced fumbles in 2011.