Jim Mora, long assumed to be the successor to Mike Holmgren in Seattle, reportedly will be announced today as the Seahawks next coach.

Multiple reports last night said that the Seahawks will introduce the 46-year-old former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons as their coach for 2009 and beyond, following Holmgren's final season in Seattle.

www.Foxsports.com cited "league sources" in saying Mora will replace Holmgren. www.ESPN.com reported the same, adding that Mora has a new five-year contract with the Seahawks while citing "a source close to Mora."

The Seahawks confirmed late last night they will hold a press conference at noon local time today. The team would not confirm what it was about.

A message left late last night with Mora's agent, Bob LaMonte, was not immediately returned.

Mora has been the heir apparent to the 60-year-old Holmgren ever since he was hired as Seattle's assistant head coach and defensive backs coach 12 months ago. Since then, the team has made a concerted effort to keep Mora away from speculation concerning head coaching jobs.

PACKERS

Green Bay signed coach Mike McCarthy yesterday to a five-year contract that runs through the 2012 season.

"We have accomplished some of our goals over the past two seasons, but there remains much left to be done," McCarthy said in a statement. "I am excited by the opportunity to meet those challenges and someday return another Lombardi Trophy home to Green Bay."

McCarthy, who had a year left on his original three-year deal, reportedly agreed in principle last month to the new contract, which is worth about $4 million per season.

"Mike brings tremendous passion, work ethic and structure to his position," general manager Ted Thompson said. "These are the traits we saw in him when he was hired, and we're very happy for the success we have had under his guidance."

McCarthy, who signed the deal without using an agent, said the paperwork on his new contract was completed Monday before being announced yesterday.

"I think it's great to have five years to continue to reach our goal," McCarthy, 44, said.

McCarthy, the franchise's 14th head coach, tied a Packers' franchise record with 13 regular-season victories on the way to an NFC North Division championship and bye in the first round of the playoffs despite having the NFL's youngest team.

After beating Seattle in the NFC divisional playoff round, the Packers lost 23-20 in overtime in the NFC championship game to the eventual Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants.

PATRIOTS

New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews pleaded not guilty to drug possession yesterday, hours after authorities said they found him with a half-pound of marijuana in Lowell, Mass.

Andrews was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and driving an unregistered motor vehicle, a black Crown Victoria. Prosecutors said he had $6,800 in cash, three bags of marijuana, and no means to smoke the drugs.

Andrews was released on personal recognizance after entering not guilty pleas during his arraignment in Lowell District Court.

Andrews' lawyer, Sean Delaney, declined to comment.

GAMING

Nevada sports books lost a record $2.6 million on Super Bowl bets when the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The sports books handled just more than $92 million on the game, the third-highest amount ever but down for the second consecutive year. The record was set in 2006 when $94.5 million was bet. The last time the books lost money was in 1995, when the San Francisco 49ers blew out the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, and Nevada books lost $400,000.

Nevada Gaming Control Board analyst Frank Streshley says large amounts were bet on the money line that the Giants would win outright. The payouts on those bets were as large as four times the original bet because New England was such a huge favorite.

The game ended with the Giants winning 17-14.