Southern Makes Pre-emptive Strike: Southern officials decided to can the school’s coach, Michael Grant, before he could possibly accept another job. They fired Grant after learning that he had interviewed at Youngstown State for the school’s head coaching job. Grant had helped turn around a miserable Tiger program, compiling a 26-31 in two seasons after Southern had posted two consecutive 20-loss seasons. Grant and his lawyer will appeal the decision. [4/29/05]