Longhorns fire athletic director

University of Texas President Greg Fenves confirmed that athletic director Steve Patterson is out of the Longhorns' program, calling it a "mutual decision" that Patterson leave after less than two years on the job.

Patterson's 22 months in Austin were marked by an aggressive push for more money for the nation's wealthiest athletic program, and discontent among fans and some major donors. Fenves said he had been concerned about Texas fans and how they view the program.

Fenves met with Patterson several times in recent months about his approach to business. They met again Tuesday morning, and Fenves said he accepted Patterson's resignation.

Patterson is under contract until August 2019 and university regents will have to approach a negotiated separation agreement.

Fenves said Texas will hire Houston attorney Mike Perrin, a former Longhorns football player, as interim athletic director.

Texas thought it hit a home run when it hired Patterson in November 2013 from Arizona State. The school had put together a star-studded search committee to find a replacement for DeLoss Dodds. Former West Virginia athletic director and present NCAA official Oliver Luck was considered the front-runner until Patterson impressed the committee with his final interview.

Patterson oversaw two popular hires at Texas — football coach Charlie Strong and men's basketball coach Shaka Smart, both now in charge of underperforming programs — but has been unable to win over fans and university donors and has had several meetings with Fenves to soften his approach to business.

Jason Pierre-Paul's injuries from a July 4 fireworks mishap might be even more extensive than previously believed. ESPN reported that not only has the defensive end lost his entire right index finger, but also a portion of his right thumb as well. The report also said Pierre-Paul had a "procedure" to "close up" his right middle finger just days before he first met with the Giants medical staff on Labor Day. The wounds from that procedure still were unhealed, which was part of the reason Pierre-Paul was not signed and given clearance to play despite his belief that he is ready to do so.

• The Packers placed Sam Barrington on season-ending injured reserve after the starting inside linebacker left the opener against Chicago because of a foot injury. … The Falcons signed tackle Jake Long to a one-year deal but won't expect him to play this week against the Giants. Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft by Miami, was cut by the Rams in a salary cap move in March. … The Redskins placed safety Duke Ihenacho (fractured wrist) on the season-ending injured reserve.

Tony Parker scored 18 points to pace defending champion France to an 84-70 victory over Latvia and set up a showdown with Spain in the semifinals of the European basketball championship. Pau Gasol scored 27 points and Nikola Mirotic added 18 to lead Spain into the semis with a 73-71 victory over Greece. Serbia plays the Czech Republic on Wednesday and Italy takes on Lithuania on Thursday in the other quarterfinals.

Golf: David Feherty signed a contract with NBC Sports that will put him on the broadcast team with Johnny Miller and enable him to extend his popular "Feherty" series on Golf Channel.

NHL: Former Flyers left winger Simon Gagne retired after a 14-year career. Gagne was a four-time All-Star who scored 291 goals and had 310 assists for 601 points. He played 11 seasons with the Flyers, won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012 and also played for Tampa Bay and Boston.