HARRISBURG, Pa. — Jerry Sandusky lost a bid for a new trial Wednesday when a judge rejected his argument that his lawyers were not given enough time to prepare for the three-week proceeding that ended with a 45-count guilty verdict on child sex abuse charges.

Judge John Cleland’s 27-page order said lawyers for the former Penn State assistant football coach conceded that their post-trial review turned up no material that would have changed their trial strategy.

Sandusky is serving a 30- to 60-year state prison sentence for the sexual abuse of 10 boys, including violent attacks inside Penn State athletics facilities.

Franklin apologizes for calling Saban ‘Nicky Satan’

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin has apologized to Alabama coach Nick Saban for calling him “Nicky Satan” at a high school banquet in Georgia.

School spokesman Larry Leathers confirmed Franklin called Saban to apologize.

According to videotape from WMAZ-TV, Franklin said, “There’s this guy in Alabama. I think his name is Nicky Satan. You guys have probably heard of him before. I’m going to outwork him. I’m going to outwork him. And that’s kind of our plan every single day.”

Franklin told The Tennessean his comment was meant as a joke.

Virginia hires Fairchild as offensive coordinator

Virginia has hired former Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild to be its offensive coordinator. Fairchild replaces Bill Lazor, who resigned earlier this week to take a job on Chip Kelly’s staff with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

C-USA creates new divisions

Conference USA, which is expanding to 14 members, announced its schedule and new division alignments.

League newcomers Louisiana Tech, North Texas and Texas-San Antonio will be in the West with returning teams Tulsa, Rice, UTEP and Tulane. Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic, who will depart the Sun Belt to join C-USA next season, will be with newcomer FIU in the East along with returnees East Carolina, Marshall, UAB and Southern Miss.

SMU, Houston, UCF and Memphis are leaving.