BRIEFLY : THOMAS IS ACCUSED OF FELONY NONSUPPORT.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Former Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas is nearly $9,000 behind in child-support payments for his son, according to a case filed Monday in Great Falls, Mont., district court.

Thomas, of Plano, Texas, was charged with felony nonsupport and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Thomas has a 4-year-old son in Great Falls, Cascade County Attorney Brant Light said.

``The Child Support Enforcement Division has made numerous efforts to get him to pay,'' the prosecutor said.

Thomas, 41, lost his shot at an Olympic gold medal when the United States boycotted the 1980 games. He won gold medals in floor exercise in the 1978 world championships, and in floor exercise and high bar events in the 1979 world championships. He also won a silver medal in all-around competition in the 1979 event.

In 1986, Thomas declared bankruptcy. He now operates a gymnastics school in Plano. Light said Thomas is under a 1995 court order to pay $650 a month in child support.

NFL: Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue had a third interview with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who is in his fourth week trying to find a head coaching replacement for Barry Switzer.

Donahue, who previously had been interviewed once in Dallas and once in California, arrived in Dallas and immediately began talks with Jones, who has promised a new coach by mid-week.

``Nothing is going to happen today,'' Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels said. ``Jerry is sticking by his mid-week timetable. Tuesday is a possibility for an announcement.''

Amarillo, Texas, TV station KAMR reported that Donahue will be named to succeed Switzer. The report, which cited a front-office source, said Cowboys defensive coordinator Dave Campo and team spokesman Rich Dalrymple attended the meeting at Jones' Highland Park, Texas, home.

Best-selling author Tom Clancy emerged as one of three men who could buy the Minnesota Vikings as soon as today.

Clancy's surprising bid was one of three accepted by the Vikings' current owners. San Antonio businessman Red McCombs and Vikings president Roger Headrick are the primary investors in the other two proposals.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Alabama coach David Hobbs will be fired at the end of the season, university officials said. Athletic director Bob Bockrath said the decision was made after consultation with the coach, who has faced increasing criticism from fans.

Duke and North Carolina held the top two spots in The Associated Press' poll, setting up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup Thursday night. UCLA moved up two places to sixth.

BOXING: Oba Carr knocked out Jesus Gutierrez in the fourth round of a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight bout at the Pond.

Carr, hoping for a shot at Oscar De La Hoya's WBC welterweight title later this year, floored Gutierrez three times in the fourth round before referee Pat Russell stopped the match at 2:36.