After 13 seasons as the coach of the NCAA’s most accomplished women’s swimming and diving program at Stanford, Greg Meehan announced his decision to step away from the Stanford program on Friday.

Meehan will assume a new role as USA Swimming’s national team managing director.

He has served in various international coaching jobs for the national governing body since 2007, including coach of the U.S. women’s Olympic team in 2020 and assistant coach at the 2016 and 2024 Games.

At Stanford, Meehan was a three-time NCAA coach of the year and led the women’s team to seven Pac-12 titles and three straight national championships from 2017-19. He continued Stanford’s streak as the only program to never finish outside of the top 10 at the NCAA Championships. Meehan coached 33 individual national titles and 19 relay titles.

The Cardinal also won seven Pac-12 titles under Meehan, never finishing outside the top three of a conference meet during his tenure. A six-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, Meehan guided his student-athletes to 67 individual conference titles, 25 relay titles, six Pac-12 Swimmers of the Year and eight Pac-12 Newcomers of the Year.

He helped develop such Olympic champions as Katie Ledecky, Simone Manuel and Torri Huske.

“The last thirteen years have truly been special. The Stanford community embraced my family as their own, and its impact on all of our lives has been remarkable,” Meehan said. “Stanford is a special place; not simply because of the world-class academics and campus, but because of the people. They have changed my life and I look forward to connecting with them to say ‘thank you.’ “

Women’s hockey

U.S. blanks the Czechs at worlds >> The United States proved its favorite status by shutting out host the Czech Republic 4-0 at the women’s ice hockey world championship in the Czech Republic.

Abbey Murphy led with two goals, Alex Carpenter had a goal and and assist, and captain Hilary Knight also scored to claim their second straight win in Group A.

Czech goalie Michaela Hesová had to face 48 shots while her U.S. counterpart Gwyneth Philips stopped 10 for the shutout.

Earlier, defending champion Canada scored three goals in a span of 2:32 while beating Switzerland 4-0 for consecutive shutouts.

Canada and the U.S., the two title favorites, meet on Sunday.

NFL

Flacco returning to Browns >> Joe Flacco is heading back to Cleveland. The veteran NFL quarterback agreed to terms with the Browns on a one-year deal. Flacco will have a base salary of $4 million but can earn more with incentives.

He won the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023 after leading an inspiring late-season surge that carried the Browns to the playoffs for only the second time since their return in 1999.

Flacco, 40, spent last season in Indianapolis, throwing for 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games, including a 2-4 mark as a starter.

The Browns are in flux at quarterback with Deshaun Watson potentially missing the entire season as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in January, just three months after he initially injured the tendon against Cincinnati.

Cleveland acquired former Steelers first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett in a trade with Philadelphia.

Men’s hockey

Michigan State’s Howard wins Hobey Baker award >> Michigan State junior forward Isaac Howard won the Hobey Baker award as college hockey’s top player.

The 21-year-old Howard led the nation in averaging 1.41 points per game and became the Spartans’ first player to win the award since goalie Ryan Miller in 2001, and third overall. Howard is from Hudson, Wisconsin, and was selected by Tampa Bay with the 31st pick in the 2022 draft.

Howard finished fifth in the nation this season with 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games while helping lead Michigan State to win the Big Ten regular-season and conference tournament titles.

He won the honor over two other finalists, Denver sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium and Boston College sophomore forward Ryan Leonard, who has already made the jump to the NHL with the Washington Capitals.

Sharks star rookie Macklin Celebrini won the 2024 Baker award while with Boston University.