College Football -- 5 More Years: Asu, Snyder Agree To Deal

PASADENA, Calif. - Arizona State and football coach Bruce Snyder have reached agreement on a new five-year contract, the school announced last night on the eve of the Sun Devils' Rose Bowl appearance.

Snyder's current contract expires in January 1999. His original five-year deal, signed when he replaced Larry Marmie in 1992, already had been extended once.

The school said the new contract, which is subject to approval by the Arizona Board of Regents, will run through Jan. 6, 2002. Terms were not disclosed, but five years is the maximum allowed for university coaches under state law.

Athletic director Kevin White called Snyder a "consummate professional" who had led the Sun Devils with class and dignity.

Snyder has coached his team to an 11-0 regular season mark this year and a No. 2 ranking.

GONZALEZ TO TURN PRO

BERKELEY, Calif. - California tight end Tony Gonzalez said he will forego his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Gonzalez, a second-team All-American, led the nation's tight ends with 44 receptions and 699 yards. He had nine catches for 69 yards in Cal's Aloha Bowl loss to Navy last Wednesday.

"While I would have loved to come back to play as a senior and be a college student for another year, I've always been taught that when an opportunity presents itself, you should take it," Gonzalez said. "It's always been my dream since I was a little kid to play in the NFL, and that's an opportunity that I can't pass up."

Gonzalez also is a power forward for Cal's basketball team. He averages 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

NOTES

-- Juniors Tremain Mack and Kenard Lang will leave Miami for a shot at the NFL, university officials said. Athletic spokesman Bob Burda said Coach Butch Davis confirmed that the players had decided to take a shot at the draft. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Lang is considered one of the best college defensive ends in the country. Mack was considered the most likely candidate for an early shot at the NFL after his performance in the Carquest Bowl. The safety enhanced his market value after being named most valuable player.

-- Clemson defensive end Trevor Pryce said he will bypass his senior year and enter the NFL draft. Pryce said he plans to inform the NFL today that he wants to be considered for the draft. The 6-foot-5, 280-pounder said he's been told he could be among the top five to 10 picks.

-- Junior Nicky Sualua, the starting fullback last season at Ohio State, will make himself eligible for the NFL draft, said Tim Spencer, Buckeye running-backs coach. Sualua quit the football team in August because of academic problems.

-- Hue Jackson, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at California this season, has been hired to perform those duties at USC, the school announced. Jackson, 31, replaces Mike Riley, who recently left USC to become head coach at Oregon State. USC also announced that wide receivers coach Mike Sanford has been promoted to assistant head coach.