Bryan Kennedy, a junior guard at Fontbonne College in St. Louis County, collapsed during a scrimmage Sunday night and died at St. Mary’s Health Center. Doctors did not have a cause for the death as of press time Monday.

Fontbonne president Dennis Golden remembered Kennedy as a great competitor.

He had a very magnetic personality, Golden said. He always had a smile, and he always had a good word for everyone.

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Kennedy was a 1995 graduate of St. Clair High School in Franklin County. He had played on the Fontbonne varsity since his freshman year.

Holtz reportedly turns down USC job

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz declined an offer to replace John Robinson at the University of Southern California, California and Indiana newspapers reported Monday.

The Los Angeles Times, Long Beach Press-Telegram and the South Bend Tribune said Holtz turned down the Southern Cal job, and the school’s focus shifted back to a reported Wednesday deadline for Athletic Director Mike Garrett to retain Robinson or hire a replacement.

Holtz, currently a college football commentator for CBS, denied he had been offered the position. Asked if he at least talked with Southern Cal, Holtz said only, I have not been offered the job.

Garrett would not comment Sunday when asked if Holtz had been given a firm offer. Asked when the Southern Cal coaching future might be decided, the athletic director told the Press-Telegram, I think Wednesday is the target date.

Three other coaches denied rumors they received overtures from Southern Cal. Tennessee Oilers coach Jeff Fisher said last week he had not been contacted. Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green and Chicago Bears coach Dave Wannstedt told the Times the same thing Saturday.

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Southern Cal (6-5) was passed over for the Aloha Bowl after a season-ending 31-24 loss to UCLA.

Holtz, 60, left Notre Dame after the 1996 season, which ended with an overtime loss to Southern Cal that knocked the Irish out of the bowl picture. It was his only loss to the Trojans in 11 seasons at Notre Dame, with nine victories and a tie.

Fryman agrees to five-year deal with Indians

Travis Fryman, acquired by Cleveland two weeks ago, agreed Monday to a $28 million, five-year contract with the Indians. The deal also includes a club option for the 2003 season that could boost the third baseman’s contract to $33.375 million.

Cleveland obtained Fryman from Arizona in a trade that sent Matt Williams, who wanted to live closer to his children, to the Diamondbacks. The Indians also received left-hander Tom Martin and $3 million cash.

Fryman, a four-time All-Star, was acquired by Arizona from the Detroit Tigers Nov. 18 in a trade on the night of the MLB expansion draft. He hit .274 last season with 22 homers and 102 RBIs, topping 20 homers and 100 RBIs for the second straight season. Until now, the 28-year-old Fryman played his entire major league career with Detroit.

Fryman gets $5 million in 1998, $5.25 million in 1999, $5.55 million in 2000, $5.75 million in 2001 and $5,825,000 in 2002. Cleveland’s option is for $6 million with a $625,000 buyout.

Fryman had been due to make $6 million next season, the last in a $25 million, five-year deal he signed with Detroit. As part of the new contract, Fryman gets a complete no-trade clause.