Judge dismisses gun charges

Updated: February 8, 2005, 10:08 PM ET

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Associated Press

Tennessee: A judge dismissed gun-related charges against two former Tennessee football players who were kicked off the team.

Safety Brandon Johnson was arrested in October after firing a handgun into the air outside an apartment building near campus. He was charged with felony reckless endangerment, and coach Phillip Fulmer dismissed him from the team.

Another safety, Chris Heath, was charged with misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a firearm. Heath was on a medical hardship scholarship and not playing at the time.

A judge dismissed the charges Monday at a preliminary hearing, ruling there wasn't enough evidence to seek an indictment.

Johnson, a junior last season, will finish his college career at Chattanooga in the fall. Heath is to graduate from Tennessee in May.

Texas: Starting defensive tackle Larry Dibbles and projected starting tailback Selvin Young will miss Texas' spring football drills, the team announced Tuesday.

Young, who missed most of last season with an ankle injury suffered in the second game, is still recovering and is expected to return in time for fall practice.

No reason was given for Dibbles' absence from spring drills. He posted 49 tackles for the Longhorns last season. The school also announced that reserve cornerback Erick Jackson will miss spring practice for undisclosed reasons. Practice starts Feb. 25.

Reserve wide receiver Dustin Miksch has given up football after a series of concussions. He will continue to work with the team, assisting the defensive backs.

BYU: New Brigham Young football coach Bronco Mendenhall completed his staff by hiring Patrick Higgins to coach receivers and special teams.

Higgins coached tight ends at Louisiana Tech last season. He spent six years at Texas-El Paso coaching receivers and was also the Miners' offensive coordinator.

"Patrick is a perfect fit for this staff and for this team," Mendenhall said Monday in a statement. "He has a demanding coaching style that emphasizes intensity and effort."