SUN WIRE REPORTS
Alabama defensive coordinator Mike Dubose was appointed new coach of the Crimson Tide today, becoming the fourth man to assume the high-profile position in the post-Bear Bryant era.
Athletics director Bob Bockrath's announcement ended the search that began Nov. 23, when Gene Stallings said he would retire at the end of this season.
The timing is ironic, considering Alabama is just two days removed from one of its worst defensive showings in decades. In a 45-30 loss to Florida on Saturday, the Tide allowed more points than it had in a single game since it lost 48-23 to Ole Miss in 1970, when Bryant was coach.
But the decision appeared to have been made last week and if there were any misgivings about it, Bockrath didn't let on.
"We've hired the very best person for this job," said Bockrath at a news conference attended by Dubose and several Alabama players.
"It's proof that dreams do come true," Dubose after being introduced as Alabama's new head coach.
Despite the performance against Florida, Dubose's defense remains one of the top in the country.
Alabama went into the SEC championship ranked first in the country in pass defense and first in the SEC in most major defensive categories. Even after the loss, the defense ranked in the top 10 in the country in points allowed, passing yards, rushing yards and total yards allowed.
Dubose's stock rose as the season progressed and he showed he was capable of filling the shoes of Bill Oliver, who left Alabama after last season to take a similar job at Auburn. When Oliver left, Stallings promoted Dubose from defensive line coach.
And when Stallings said he was stepping down, Dubose immediately became the front-runner to become Alabama's 24th coach.
Bockrath, who conceded this was the most important decision of his career, reportedly also considered Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and Miami coach Butch Davis.
Alabama's offensive coordinator, Woody McCorvey, also was interviewed for the position. But Dubose appeared to stand out because of his standing as a longtime member of the Alabama "family."
Dubose invoked memories of Bryant as he spoke with reporters and over live television to some parts of the state after the announcement.
"As a player and as a coach, I think I've learned more about football from Coach Bryant than from anybody else. He taught me more about life than anyone else. Without him I wouldn't be here today," Dubose said.
Dubose played for Bryant from 1972-74 and is in his 12th year coaching with the Crimson Tide.
* MINNESOTA WANTS STOOPS: The University of Minnesota has offered the job of head football coach to Florida defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. Stoops was in the Twin Cities Sunday to interview with university officials and local business leaders. He returned home that night and has not said whether he will accept the job. The position was vacated when Jim Wacker resigned at the end of football season. Stoops, accompanied by his wife, Carol, toured the university's indoor football facilities with men's athletic director Mark Dienhart and spent about two hours with Dienhart and assistant athletic director Jeff Schemmel in their Bierman Building offices.
* IRISH HIRE COLLETTO: Jim Colletto knows exactly what's in store for new Notre Dame coach Bob Davie. And the former Purdue coach doesn't envy him one bit. A little more than a month after he announced his resignation, Colletto has signed on as Notre Dame's new offensive coordinator. After the past six years as a head coach, Colletto said he's content to let someone else run the show. "You get pulled in a million different directions (as head coach). ... The man next to me gets to do that," he said, pointing to Davie. "As a coordinator, you're a little more tied to the football and a little less of the other things. "I get to coach again, so I'm happy," he added.
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