Bama in the News

January 22 - 31, 2009

• Chris Smelley Joins UA Baseball Team • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama announced today that former South Carolina quarterback and three-time Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) state baseball champion Chris Smelley has been grant... 

• Lance Thompson's UT salary: $350,000 • Tuscaloosa News
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | Former University of Alabama assistant football coach Lance Thompson will make $350,000 per year as linebackers coach at Tennessee, the school announced Thursday.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting chat transcript part lll • Tuscaloosa News
tidevegas: Can you compare AJ to Star? Are the coaches pleased with Star's progress and what are the odds he starts at QB vs Va Tech? TIA

• Christopher Walsh: SEC had the last laugh • Tuscaloosa News
In the end, the truth was with the Southeastern Conference.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Andrew Steele on his brother's departure: ... • Tuscaloosa News
... "I know everything is going to work out for him."
Just a final addendum to the situation surrounding the abrupt departure of Alabama point guard Ronald Steele. As you know by now, coach Mark Gottfried said one thing, Steele said another, and we're left to decide what's what. In the middle was Ron's brother Andrew, an emerging freshman guard who has impressed as of late.

• 2009 NFL Mock Draft No. 1 - Jan. 22 • College Football News
Mock Drafts are like noses ... everyone has one and the could all use work. It's goofy but it's fun. Georgia QB Matthew Stafford will almost certainly be the No. 1 player taken overall by the Detroit Lions, and then the fun really begins. Check out the first Mock Draft of the season, and check back early next week for the CFN Player Rankings. 

• Men's Track and Field to Compete at Razorback Invitational • RollTide.com
The men's track and field team will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. this weekend to compete at the Razorback Invitational on Jan. 23-24. The meet will be held at the Randall Tyson Track Center. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: How good will Alabama's recruiting class be? Nick Saban speaks! • al.com
Today is Jan. 22 and National Signing Day is on Feb. 4. That means Alabama fans only have ... um ... calculator ... a few days to wait until it learns just how good its signing class will be. Will it follow up the awesomeness of the 2008 class with another No. 1 national ranking? That'd be tough.

• Gentry Estes: Lance Thompson will make $350,000 at Tennessee • al.com
The University of Tennessee just announced salaries for the new hires on its football staff. The bill for former Alabama linebackers coach Lance Thompson?

• Big linemen headline visitors list • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama will host a number of highly sought-after prospects for the third straight weekend beginning Friday, as a half-dozen or more players are due on campus for their official visits.

• Ian R. Rapoport: As white-hot Kentucky awaits, what now for Alabama basketball? • al.com
Alabama overcame one hurdle last night, outlasting Ole Miss 76-73 in its first game after two days of some serious off-the-court issues thanks to Ronald Steele's departure. And that was big in terms of weathering the storm. 

• Gentry Estes: Linebacker recruit Petey Smith to Alabama ... soon • al.com
In the picture on his Rivals recruiting profile, Seffner, Fla., linebacker Petey Smith is wearing an orange and blue Auburn cap.

• Dennis Pillion: Know first with al.com text alerts • al.com
How did you find out that Alabama was going to hire away James Willis, Auburn's ace recruiter and linebackers coach? How about Ronald Steele? When did you learn that he was leaving the Crimson Tide basketball team?

• SEC Men's Basketball Coaches Press Conference • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Coaches Press Conference 

• Coaches Tab Ole Miss to Win SEC Men's Tennis Title • SEC Sports
Coaches Tab Ole Miss to Win SEC Men's Tennis Title

• Georgia Picked To Win SEC Women's Tennis Title • SEC Sports
Georgia Picked To Win SEC Women's Tennis Title

• USA Today/ESPN Preseason Coaches Poll Released • SEC Sports
USA Today/ESPN Preseason Coaches Poll Released

• Tennessee and LSU meeting with Carver DB Darren Myles today • AJC
Darren Myles Jr., one of the state’s top uncommitted prospects, has an official visit scheduled for Tennesee this weekend, his father and coach said. However, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior has a couple of meetings on Thursday. “We are meeting with... 

• Bama, LSU battling for Myles, Stinson • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
As signing day nears, SEC West foes Alabama and LSU are fighting it out for several blue-chip prospects. Just like the Tide-Tigers matchup in Baton Rouge this past season, the recruiting battles will go down to the wire. 

• It’s Just Business • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
Sorry, Auburn, that’s the way the oblong ball bounces 

• BOL Forecast • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With just two recruiting weekends to go, the Alabama coaching staff is putting on the full-court press on their remaining targets. Check inside for BOL's Updated Forecast and find out how the 2009 class may shape up for the Crimson Tide. 

• Crimson Clubhouse: The curious case of Greg Reid • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
We're less than two weeks from national signing day, and if there's a clubhouse leader for most enigmatic recruit, it's Greg Reid. 

• Men's Basketball:
Wednesday: Alabama 76, Ole Miss 73 - box score

• Bama in the NBA - January 21st Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Men's Basketball Beats Ole Miss, 76-73 • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's basketball team beat Mississippi 76-73 Wednesday night.

• James Willis Completes Alabama Football Coaching Staff • RollTide.com
Alabama head coach Nick Saban also announced the hiring of James Willis on Wednesday. Willis will serve as associate head coach and work with the linebackers. Willis, a seven-year NFL veteran, join... 

• Alabama Football Names Sal Sunseri to Coaching Staff • RollTide.com
Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced the hiring of Sal Sunseri on Wednesday. Sunseri, a former All-American linebacker at Pittsburgh, most recently coached the defensive line with the NFL's Caro... 

• Point-blank win • Tuscaloosa News
Tide survives late surge to nip Rebels, 76-73

• Steele: Medical condition not reason for leaving • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Former University of Alabama point guard Ronald Steele said Wednesday his decision to leave the Crimson Tide basketball team was based on factors other than the plantar fasciitis injury that sidelined him for the past two games before Wednesday night’s contest against Ole Miss.

• Senior Bowl is Caldwell’s time to shine • Tuscaloosa News
MOBILE | Antoine Caldwell hasn’t missed a Senior Bowl since he started attending while he was in high school.

• Cecil Hurt: You have to wonder what might have been • Tuscaloosa News
The Ronald Steele story at the University of Alabama has finally reached closure — but not a happy ending.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Cecil Hurt Show: Jan. 20

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Tide Spotlight: Kassi Price

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Gottfried post-game press conference (Jan. 21, 2009)

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
FINAL WORD: Bama vs. Ole Miss (Jan. 21,2009)

• Ian R. Rapoport: Amid turmoil, Alabama hangs on for a "gutsy" 76-73 win over Ole Miss • al.com
After two days of clouds because of the saga surrounding former Alabama point guard Ronald Steele, there was a ray of sunshine for the Crimson Tide. Yes, even at night, there was sunshine. OK, a well-lit moon. Whatever.

• Gentry Estes: After much-needed win, Mark Gottfried quiet on Ron Steele's departure • al.com
Alabama coach Mark Gottfried didn't have much to say tonight on earlier comments from Ronald Steele that his decision to leave the Crimson Tide's team at mid-season had nothing to do with a foot injury.

• Doug Segrest: Brandon Moore: On announcement, Urban Meyer and James Willis • al.com
Carver-Montgomery's Brandon Moore, the No. 8 prospect on The Birmingham News' list of Super Seniors, didn't get the star treatment at school Tuesday. That was deserved for Florida coach Urban Meyer, who paid Moore a recruiting visit.

• Wednesday January 21st, 2009 • Chris Stewart Sports
11:45 p.m. CST - A much needed win...

• Ray Melick: Steele's departure feeds talk about future of Tide basketball • The Birmingham News
This wasn't going to be about Alabama basketball. The loss of one player, even a player as good as Ronald Steele, isn't going to bring the Crimson Tide program down any further than it appears to have already fallen. 

• Alabama basketball player Steele says foot injury not reason for leaving • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Former Alabama point guard Ronald Steele said Wednesday that his battle with plantar fasciitis is "definitely not the reason" he left the team.

• Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban responds... • The Birmingham News
...to losing recruiter by taking coach from rival
TUSCALOOSA - A week after Alabama lost its top recruiter to one bitter rival, coach Nick Saban responded by exacting revenge on another rival. 

• In the face of controversy, Alabama outlasts Ole Miss, 76-73 • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Late in the game, Alabama coach Mark Gottfried raised his fists into the air, screamed at the top of his lungs and implored the crowd, "Let's go!"

• No. 6 Auburn renews one-sided rivalry with Alabama • Press-Register
AUBURN - Can a rivalry ever be so comically one-sided that it ceases to be a rivalry? 

• Steele: Decision to leave Alabama unrelated to injury • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - When Ronald Steele chose to quit Alabama's team in midseason, many initially pinned it on in a string of injuries for the star senior.

• Mark McCarter: McCall aims to pass NFL mind games • The Huntsville Times
Alabama tight end learns questions can turn silly for prospects at Senior Bowl 

• Keeping tempo going • The Huntsville Times
Unbeaten Auburn women gear up to host Tide tonight

• Tide turner? Willis heading to Bama • The Huntsville Times
Saban lands assistant with recruiting ties to fertile Mobile area

• SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - January 21st • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - January 21st

• FOOTBALL: Crimson Tide snatches Willis away from Tigers • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama coach Nick Saban completed his coaching staff with a stunning move by snatching former Au­burn great James Willis away from the Tigers' coaching staff on Wednesday afternoon.

• ALABAMA BASKETBALL: Tide hangs tough against Rebels • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- For the third consecutive game, Alaba­ma's Mikhail Torrance set or tied a career high in points. 

• Gottfried, Crimson Tide players mum on Ronald Steele' departure • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama coach Mark Gottfried offered little on former star Ronald Steel­e's comments that his decision to leave the Crimson Tide's basket­ball team had nothing to do with the injury that had sidelined him from the previous two games.

• Making his point • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Newly minted starting point guard Mikhail Torrance helped bail out Alabama again. 

• Steele says injury didn’t lead to his departure • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Former Alabama point guard Ronald Steele said his decision to leave Alabama’s basketball team had nothing to do with a recent foot injury and instead was based upon other factors.

• Tide lures AU assistant to T-town • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama raided the football staff of Auburn coach Gene Chizik for a new assistant coach.

• Toledo prep standout Marrow places faith in Tide • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama football recruit Mike Marrow and his family understand the importance of foresight and judgment of future events. 

• Alabama lures Auburn’s James Willis • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — Nick Saban, stung by a staff defection when recruiting specialist Lance Thompson left for Tennessee, struck back with some in-state recruiting of his own. 

• Short-handed Tide survives Rebels • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — As Ole Miss guard Terrico White’s shot rose near the rim, Alonzo Gee’s heart sank.

• Alabama Signs Coach Away From Auburn • College Football News
A former Auburn star linebacker, and current coach on the Tigers staff is making the move to Tuscaloosa.

• Torrance, Tide turn away Rebels • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
David Huertas was "en fuego," especially for a half. Thing was, so was Mikhail Torrance. Huertas, the Ole Miss Rebels' leading scorer, and Torrance, the replacement at point guard for Alabama with the departure of Ronald Steele, had a duel Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa.

• Florida LB says Willis a great move for UA • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Linebacker Petey Smith (6-0, 250) of Seffner-Armwood, Florida had narrowed his list down to Alabama and Auburn. Smith says that James Willis' leaving AU to coach linebackers at Bama is a great move for the Crimson Tide.

• Patrick surprised by hiring of Willis • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Tana Patrick admits that he was caught totally off-guard by today's news that James Willis was leaving Auburn to join Nick Saban's staff as a linebackers coach for the Crimson Tide. 

• Willis hire has recruits talking • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
The college coaching carousel becomes more interesting by the day. The University of Alabama loses an assistant coach to Tennessee, so coach Nick Saban reels in coach James Willis from Auburn. Normally this time of year fans are keeping up with commitments, but new coaching hires have dominated as of late. Several players voiced their opinion of the new Tide coach. 

• Willis Hire Big News For Big Linebacker • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
2009 Auburn Football Recruiting

• Tide takes control for Smith • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The effect of the Tide's hire of assistant coach James Willis away from hated in-state rival Auburn didn't take long to become apparent. On Wednesday night, Seffner-Armwood linebacker Petey Smith announced he has a runaway favorite and the news is good for Alabama fans. 

• Tide survives • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With just about everything going wrong for the Alabama basketball team of late, something finally went right when it had to: Alabama 76, Ole Miss 73.

• Willis and Sunseri hirings: What do they mean? • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's coaching staff for 2009 appears set with the hiring Wednesday of Sal Sunseri and James Willis to coach the Crimson Tide's linebackers.

• Smith: 'I’m going to Alabama' • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
After an excellent visit to Alabama over the weekend, Petey Smith appeared to be leaning the Crimson Tide's way. James Willis’ coaching staff switch from Auburn to Alabama on Wednesday apparently sealed the deal for the Crimson Tide

• Tide hangs on for win over Rebels • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
After the way things have gone in the last week, any victory was welcome news for the Alabama basketball team.

• Gymnastics:
Georgia 197.175, Alabama 196.275

• Jumpers Highlight the First Day at Razorback Invitational • RollTide.com
The men's track and field team finished day one of the Razorback Invitational at Randall Tyson Track Center.

• Limited Number of Tickets Available for Kentucky Game • RollTide.com
Limited quantities of tickets have been made available for Saturday's clash of the two winningest programs in SEC history. 

• Gymnastics Posts Season-High Score; Falls at Georgia, 197.175-196.275 • RollTide.com
The No. 9 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team fell to the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs here in Stegeman Coliseum, 197.175-196.275, in front of 9,938 fans Friday night. 

• Volleyball Welcomes Sarah Machen to Lineup • RollTide.com
The volleyball team welcomed its third offseason addition Friday when head coach Judy Green announced Sarah Machen was transferring from the University of Oklahoma to join the Crimson Tide. 

• Crimson Tide to Face SEC Leader Kentucky on Saturday • RollTide.com
Alabama meets its first SEC Eastern Division opponent this season when it plays host to Kentucky Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Coleman Coliseum. The cross-divisional matchup will be broadcast liv... 

• Men's Tennis Opens 2009 Dual Match Season on Saturday • RollTide.com
Crimson Tide Hosts Doubleheader with Troy and No. 69 Furman Beginning at 10:00 a.m. (CST) 

• Four Tide Players to Compete in Senior Bowl Saturday • RollTide.com
John Parker Wilson, Rashad Johnson, Antoine Caldwell and Travis McCall can been seen on the NFL Network broadcast at 6 p.m. Saturday 

• Georgia defeats Alabama in gymnastics • Tuscaloosa News
ATHENS, Ga. | The University of Alabama gymnastics team took its first loss of the season Friday night when four-time defending national champion Georgia pulled away on the balance beam for a solid 197.175 to 196.275 victory at Stegeman Coliseum.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Who is this Jodie Meeks character? • al.com
While I'm on the road to Athens for Alabama-Georgia gymnastics, let's do a little basketball research. The Crimson Tide hosts Kentucky in hoops tomorrow at 2, and I'll be writing about the Wildcats' super scorer Jodie Meeks. You know, the dude who scored 54 on Tennessee. Though it's no Coach O song, here is a musical tribute to the man:

• Ian R. Rapoport: What really happened with James Willis... and links! • al.com
The hire of new Alabama linebackers coach James Willis happened two days ago, and the details are still not entirely clear. We know that coach Nick Saban kept everything under wraps until the last moment and that swiping Willis, the Auburn man and former Auburn coach, ruffled quite a few feathers.

• Gentry Estes: UGA's Suzanne Yoculan: • al.com
"There is no team in the history of my career that I would rather beat than Alabama"
Georgia's gymnastics team sent Coach Suzanne Yoculan out a winner in her final head-to-head meet with traditional rival Alabama.

• Dennis Pillion: Frozen fun: Crimson Tide hockey team takes the ice • al.com
Looking for some excitement in the Birmingham area this weekend? Why not head over to the Pelham Civic Complex and check out the University of Alabama Crimson Tide hockey team?

• SEC Gymnastics Roundup - January 23rd • SEC Sports
SEC Gymnastics Roundup - January 23rd 

• South Region visitors • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Several schools in the South Region are battling for the same recruits, and we take a look where players are headed this weekend. You'll see some names who were once thought a priority on your school's list, but now looking elsewhere. 

• Insider Analysis: QB John Parker Wilson • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Scout.com experts chime in with their opinions on a player the Bears seem to like at the Senior Bowl

• How Will Tide Stop Kentucky? • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Difficult task for Tide against Wildcats’ Meeks and Patterson

• Basketball preview: Kentucky at Alabama • BamaOnLine
Senior Alonzo Gee and the Alabama basketball team look to improve to 3-2 in SEC play Saturday in a home game against tradition-rich Kentucky. 

• No UT visit for AJ • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With reports leaking out Friday morning that St. Paul's quarterback AJ McCarron is gearing up for an official visit to Tennessee, the Rivals250 star has other plans on his mind that doesn't include leaving the city of Mobile.

• BOL report card: Tide hoops at SEC quarterpole • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With the first quarter of the Southeastern Conference basketball schedule in the books, Alabama stands at 2-2 in SEC play with a crucial home game against Kentucky upcoming Saturday. BamaOnLine.com grades the Crimson Tide below based only on its first four SEC games, and will re-visit the Tide's performance every four games through the 16-game league schedule. All statistics reflect SEC play only.

• Alabama has all important pieces • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama and senior pitcher Miers Quigley have much at stake this season.

• Mingo to check out Alabama this weekend • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
LSU may be Barkevious Mingo’s leader but it looks like Alabama will be in position to leave the more fresh impression — at least among those two schools — with National Signing Day less than two weeks away. 

• Women's Basketball:
Thursday Night: Auburn 84, Alabama 66

• Women's Basketball Suffers 84-66 Loss at No. 5/6 Auburn • RollTide.com
Sophomore Varisia Raffington netted a career-best 19 points, but No. 5/6 Auburn came away with the 84-66 victory Thursday night at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. With the loss, the Crimson Tide dro... 

• No. 9 Ranked Gymnastics Faces No. 4 Georgia in Athens Friday • RollTide.com
The No. 9 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team faces off against the four-time defending NCAA Champion Georgia Bulldogs Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

• Second wave of elite prospects set to visit Alabama campus • Tuscaloosa News
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and his staff, including newly-hired assistant James Willis, will host another elite group of prospects for official visits this weekend. While the last two weekends brought bigger numbers to the Capstone, this weekend’s roster of expected visitors includes some of the most sought-after recruits in the South.

• Just one step closer • Tuscaloosa News
Tide’s Johnson hopes to catch the eye of NFL scouts in Mobile

• Tigers pull away in second half • Tuscaloosa News
AUBURN | The University of Alabama women’s basketball program got a glimpse of where it would like to be in terms of performance and talent, but unfortunately for the Crimson Tide it was better displayed by the host team Thursday night.

• Coaching rivals square off for final time • Tuscaloosa News
The term rivals doesn’t seem to have enough punch. Nemesis and antagonist appear more appropriate, but enemy isn’t entirely accurate either, because the two have also been partners in crime, so to speak.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Insert Headline Here... no, really. • al.com
Here's something quick that you guys probably know about by now. The Alabama baseball team officially got a big-time transfer, and it's a football player.

• Gentry Estes: Chris Smelley is eligible to play baseball this season for Alabama • al.com
Former South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley has been granted a waiver from the Southeastern Conference that allows him to be an eligible member of Alabama's baseball team for the 2009 season, per word from UA media relations.

• Ray Melick: Saban gets perfect replacement for Thompson • al.com
So this is the way it plays out in the high schools of the top prospects in the Mobile area during the next two weeks. 

• Alabama's Rashad Johson, Antoine Caldwell gear up for Saturday's Senior Bowl • The Birmingham News
MOBILE -- It is the eternal question, asked of every would-be NFL player who finds himself at the Under Armour Senior Bowl. 

• Bonner leads AU in win over Tide • The Birmingham News
AUBURN - DeWanna Bonner and the Auburn women's basketball team tuned up for their biggest game in many years in a most satisfying way Thursday night.

• Patterson hopes to give Yoculan one more present before retirement • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - In the past 25 years, Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan has built a resume that is nearly unparalleled: Nine NCAA championships, 16 Southeastern Conference champions and one legendary rivalry with Alabama gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson.

• Coaches' allegiances are different • The Birmingham News
The talk show airwaves are popping and the message boards are melting down. 

• Auburn women rout Crimson Tide 84-66 to stay undefeated • Press-Register
AUBURN - Auburn coach Nell Fortner was so adamant about not looking ahead to her team's showdown with No. 10 Tennessee on Sunday that she refused to even utter the Volunteers' name this week.

• Coach-in-waiting tag extends to gymnastics mat ... • Press-Register
...as Alabama Crimson Tide face Georgia Gym Dogs
The wait is growing shorter for coach Jay Clark to fulfill his "dream job," and he has been around Georgia gymnastics long enough to understand what lies on the other end of Suzanne Yoculan's final season in charge.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Friday, January 23, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Where to find the Senior Bowl players • Press-Register
Here are the times and pod locations for today's Meet the Players program at the Convention Center. The three-hour session (3:30-6:30 p.m.) will be split into two 90-minute sessions. Half the players will be available from 3:30-5 p.m., with the remaining players available from 5-6:30 p.m.

• Bill Bryant: Ronald Steele not to blame for abrupt departure • The Huntsville Times
Worn-down senior earned right to make midseason departure 

• Gym Dogs soon to be Clark's team • The Huntsville Times
The wait is growing shorter for coach Jay Clark to fulfill his "dream job," and he has been around Georgia gymnastics long enough to understand what lies on the other end of Suzanne Yoculan's final season in charge.

• SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - January 22nd • SEC Sports
SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - January 22nd

• UA faces four-time national champs tonight • Crimson White
The Alabama gymnastics team looks to take revenge tonight against the University of Georgia, who beat Bama last year in the SEC championships by 0.025.

• Team one meet into spring season • Crimson White
The men’s track and field team began its 2009 indoor season last weekend at the Kentucky Invitational in Lexington, Ky. While en route to Lexington, coach Harvey Glance insisted that the team was fully prepared to compete.

• Women's basketball suffers 84-66 loss at No. 5/6 Auburn • Crimson White
Sophomore Varisia Raffington Scores Career-High 19 points

• Tide's Johnson could turn heads at Senior Bowl • Montgomery Advertiser
MOBILE -- Rashad Johnson would rather be a dog than a cat. 

• ALABAMA GYMNASTICS: Tide, Bulldogs renew rivalry • Montgomery Advertiser
It'll be the last time Sarah Patterson and Suzanna Yoculan square off in a regular-season gymnastics meet, but that isn't the focus for Patterson as she prepares the Crimson Tide to take on the four-time defending national champions.

• SPORTS BRIEFS: Smelley transfers to Alabama • Montgomery Advertiser
Former South Caroli­na quarterback and American Christian Aca­demy standout Chris Smelley has been grant­ed a waiver by the Southeastern Confer­ence and will be eligible to play baseball for the Crimson Tide this sea­son.

• Smelley to play baseball for Tide • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Former South Carolina starting quarterback Chris Smelley will join The University of Alabama — as a baseball player. 

• Auburn rides Bonner past pesky Alabama • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
AUBURN — DeWanna Bonner swore No. 5 Auburn wasn’t looking ahead to this weekend’s game with SEC powerhouse Tennessee on Thursday night. 

• 2009 Pre-Preseason Rankings - No. 101 to 120 • College Football News
While Western Kentucky might be celebrating being the 120th FBS team, it'll have to do a lot more in 2009 to prove it can be far, far better. Check out the very, very early look at the teams going into the off-season with the CFN Pre-Preseason ranking from No. 101 to 120. 

• More big names set to visit Tuscaloosa • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
With signing day less than two weeks away, the Tide staff has positioned itself for an exciting finish to this year's class. Alabama is set to host another excellent group of prospects this weekend, including a top out-of-state target, a key in-state lineman and three current commitments. 

• UA Recruiting Notebook • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With just 12 days remaining before National Signing Day, several top Tide targets, such as Tana Patrick and Darren Myles, still have visits remaining to other programs.

• Tide still in it for Teague • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
For months on end, even before he officially committed to the Gators back in mid-December, it appeared as though Marsalis Teague's commitment to UF was as solid as a rock. However, fresh off an official visit to Tuscaloosa it appears that his situation has changed. 

• Myles to visit Tennessee this weekend • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Tennessee may have a new coaching staff but there will be one very familiar face awaiting Darren Myles Jr. when he arrives in Knoxville, Tenn., Friday — Lance Thompson.

• Tyson David Runs NCAA Qualifying Time in Mile at Razorback Invitational • RollTide.com
The men's track and field team concluded this weekend's competition at the Razorback Invitational today at the Randall Tyson Track Center. 

• Kentucky pulls away down stretch to beat Tide • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The Kentucky Wildcats returned for the second half without starting guard Ramon Harris and their coach.

• Gentry Estes:  Kentucky deals Alabama hoops another blow • al.com
Alabama missed another opportunity to salvage an increasingly lost season with today's 61-51 home loss to Kentucky.

• Doug Segrest: Forecasting where the top uncommitted prospects will go • al.com
We asked ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill and Scout's Andrew Bone about some of the South's top uncommitted prospects, and pushed the analysts for their prediction on where these blue-chippers would wind up:

• Doug Segrest: Willis' jump is a big to-do in recruiting • al.com
In the world of corporate battles, James Willis' swapping of Fortune 500 companies wouldn't have raised an eyebrow.

• Doug Segrest: Tana Patrick cancels a westward visit • al.com
North Jackson linebacker Tana Patrick, the No. 3 prospect on The Birmingham News Super Seniors list, remains one of the South's top uncommitted blue-chippers.

• SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - January 24th • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Roundup - January 24th

• Stevenson steps up to lead Wildcat win • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Kentucky closed its game Saturday against Alabama with a 16-6 run to defeat the Tide 61-51 Saturday before a Coleman Coliseum crowd of 15,316, that was about 15 per cent dressed in blue. 

• ‘Cats Finish Off Tide Upset Hopes • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
You don’t win many SEC games when the visiting team closes the game on a 16-6 run and you turn the ball over 14 times in the second half. Alabama played good on defense and, overall, probably better than most expected against visiting Kentucky. But as Crimson Tide Football Coach Nick Saban preachers, you have to finish in order to be successful.

• UK tops Tide as Wildcat collapses • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The Alabama basketball team fell at home to Kentucky Saturday, but of far greater concern was the condition of UK's Ramon Harris, who collapsed at the half. 

• Second-half surge lifts Kentucky past Alabama • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
The offensive showdown between Kentucky's Jodie Meeks and Alabama's Mikhail Torrance never materialized on Saturday. In fact, there wasn't much offense at all on display at Coleman Coliseum.

• Men's Basketball:
Kentucky 61, Alabama 51 - box score

• Women's Basketball Welcomes Georgia on Sunday • RollTide.com
The women's basketball team (12-8, 0-5 SEC) returns home to take on Georgia (12-7, 2-2 SEC) Sunday, Jan. 25. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. (CST). 

• Women's Tennis Begins Dual Match Season Sunday • RollTide.com
The women's tennis team will kick off its dual match season Sunday when it hosts UT-Chattanooga at 1:00 p.m. (CST). Matches will take place at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. 

• Gentry Estes: Kentucky player collapses at halftime of game at Alabama • al.com
Kentucky starting forward Ramon Harris collapsed outside the locker room at halftime of today's game at Coleman Coliseum.and has been taken to DCH Hospital in Tuscaloosa.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Kentucky's Ramon Harris collapsed in locker room, headed to hospital • al.com
A news update for you, while Alabama tries to hang on to its lead against Kentucky. Wildcats guard Ramon Harris collapsed in the locker room at halftime. He was been taken by ambulance to DCH Medical Center. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: So... what's going on in recruiting this weekend? • al.com
While I watched Alabama and Kentucky battle on the basketball court, while wondering if Jodie Meeks is ever going to miss, let's talk recruiting. This is the second-to-last weekend before National Signing Day, which means a bunch of people are on campus trying to decide if they want to come to Alabama. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Recruiting accusations and some biting words... in gymnastics? • al.com
In the mad, mad world of recruiting, having one coach accuse another coach of less-than-nice tactics is not completely rare. It doesn't always happen publicly, but it has happened before. Just not so much in gymnastics.

• Defensive Targets • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Last year Nick Saban and staff managed to haul in the nation's top class with several newcomers helping the Tide to the SEC West Championship and a BSC bowl game. Looking to follow up on the heels of that No. 1 group, Alabama currently has the nation's No. 4 ranked class with a chance at making another run to the top with several top targets still on the board... 

• Bama in the NBA - January 23rd Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Golden opportunity • Tuscaloosa News
Wilson says he has what it takes to play in the NFL; he has to prove it today in front of pro scouts

• SEC’s hot shooters go head-to-head • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | It’s an unlikely pairing, but the two hottest scorers in Southeastern Conference men’s basketball will be going head-to-head this afternoon at Coleman Coliseum when the Kentucky Wildcats come to town to face Alabama.

• Despite season-high score, Tide falls to Gym Dogs • Tuscaloosa News
ATHENS, Ga. | Although the University of Alabama gymnastics team posted its best team score of the young season, it spent a good part of Friday night thinking about what may have been and what could be while four-time defending champion Georgia celebrated another victory lap at Stegeman Coliseum.

• Tommy Deas: Could UA have three first-rounders in 2010 NFL draft? • Tuscaloosa News
After not having a single player drafted last year, the University of Alabama is virtually assured of having Andre Smith taken in the first round of April's National Football League Draft. Rashad Johnson has an outside shot of also being taken late in the opening round, or at least on the opening day.

• PLAYERS GET LAST CHANCE TO SHINE • The Birmingham News
MOBILE -- After a week of workouts, it all comes down to this: Tonight's Under Armour Senior Bowl, the last chance to shine.

• Yoculan's Gym Dogs take final battle over Patterson's Tide • The Birmingham News
ATHENS, Ga. - No one forgot the fireworks for the final, regular-season episode of most-heated rivalry in women's collegiate gymnastics. 

• Kentucky's Jodie Meeks could have been starring for Alabama • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama players and coaches have seen most, if not all, of the 54-point game. 

• Gym Dogs take battle over Tide • The Birmingham News
ATHENS, Ga. - No one forgot the fireworks for the final, regular-season episode of most-heated rivalry in women's collegiate gymnastics.

• Saban becomes television villain • The Birmingham News
The writers for the hit TV series "CSI: Miami" took a shot at a former sports figure from that city's professional sports teams in a recent episode.

• UA nearly landed Meeks, now they must guard him • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama players and coaches have seen most, if not all, of the 54-point game.

• Severance an issue for former Auburn coach James Willis? • Press-Register
AUBURN - Nearly two weeks elapsed between the evening linebackers coach James Willis cleaned out his Auburn office and the day he started moving back in. 

• Alabama commitments stay clear of Knoxville • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama coach Nick Saban has no problem with current Crimson Tide commitments visiting other campuses before National Signing Day on Feb. 4, as long as that other school is not Tennessee.

• Alabama commitments stay clear of Knoxville • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama coach Nick Saban has no problem with current Crimson Tide commitments visiting other campuses before National Signing Day on Feb. 4, as long as that other school is not Tennessee.

• One final audition for seniors at Ladd-Peebles • Press-Register
The top college football seniors in the country will don their schools' helmets one last time tonight, completing a weeklong audition for the NFL as they step onto the field at Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the 60th annual Under Armour Senior Bowl.

• Crimson Tide hungry for win • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA — Fans may see it one way. But normally, no SEC team would ever relish the idea of a red-hot Kentucky team headed to its gymnasium.

• Shaun Alexander, Jason Taylor get inducted in Senior Bowl Hall of Fame • Press-Register
Jason Taylor and Shaun Alexander both established themselves as star players in college and in the NFL. In between, they both showed signs of their pro potential with their appearances in the Senior Bowl.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Saturday, January 24, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Dispute mighthave helped lead to Willis' leaving • The Huntsville Times
Ex-Auburn coach believes he should keep severance pay 

• Saban asks pledges not to visit UT • The Huntsville Times
McCarron, Richardson cancel visits to Knoxville in wake of assistant's jump 

• Tide keeps pride • The Huntsville Times
Alabama looks forward to visit from Kentucky 

• Tide falls short to Georgia • The Huntsville Times
Alabama gymnasts' highest score this season not enough 

• ALABAMA BASKETBALL: Tide's focus on UK's Meeks • Montgomery Advertiser
The numbers aren't good. And it isn't likely they'll be any better after hosting the best team in the conference.

• Senior Bowl QBs vie to dispel NFL doubts • Montgomery Advertiser
MOBILE -- The Senior Bowl quarterbacks all have some­thing to prove.

• Jimmy Smothers: Senior Bowl filled with area, state ties • The Gadsden Times
Notes and quotes from Alabama's port city where Senior Bowl week is winding down:
• The teams have concluded work in full pads at practices leading up to Saturday night's game. Both head coaches have expressed pleasure in earlier workouts. The remaining sessions will be more for working out soreness, learning and improving.

• Tide hosts Wildcats, hot-shooting Meeks • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
All due respect to Alabama guard Mikhail Torrance, the most explosive scorer in the Southeastern Conference

• Gentry Estes:  Recapping another official visit weekend ... • al.com
It was while driving home last night from Alabama's basketball game that I was reminded what season this really is around campus.

• Top lineman knows where he's going • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
One of the Tide's top remaining targets is Brandon Moore of Carver HS in Montgomery. In recent weeks, the talented lineman has been on the verge of finalizing his recruitment. This weekend, Moore was in Tuscaloosa for an official visit. Although he won't say publicly where he'll sign, Moore says he now knows with whom he'll sign. 

• Brandon Moore knows college destination • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Brandon Moore, four-star offensive tackle from Montgomery-Carver, Ala., had planned to announce his college choice January 22 before an official visit to Alabama. He delayed the announcement, and he kept the date in Tuscaloosa this weekend. 

• William Ming talks Tuscaloosa visit • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Tide commitment visits OV.

• Moore talks UA official • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Giant lineman Brandon Moore has changed his college announcement plans several times, but the Carver-Montgomery star hoped that his official visit to Alabama this weekend would clear things up.

• Women's Basketball Loses Heartbreaker to Georgia, 63-61 • RollTide.com
The Alabama women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Georgia, 63-61, at Coleman Coliseum Sunday afternoon.

• Alabama's falls to Georgia in women's basketball • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama women’s basketball team’s losing streak against Southeastern Conference competition reach 20 Sunday afternoon when Georgia narrowly pulled out a 63-61 victory at Coleman Coliseum.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Kerry Murphy on next year's left tackle spot: "They got Fluker for that." • al.com
When former Hoover star Kerry Murphy became academically eligible after two years of trying, I wrote a bunch of stuff about him, like this and this. I had wanted to do another post about him on the football field, but I got sidetracked.

• SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - January 25th • SEC Sports
SEC Women's Basketball Roundup - January 25th  

• Ming discusses UA visit • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Defensive end William Ming of Athens was one of a few prospects already committed to Alabama making official visits to Tuscaloosa this weekend. 

• Massie talks UA official • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The last piece to the Tide 2009 OL recruiting could be big Hargrave five-star tackle Bobby Massie. This weekend, the 6-foot-7, 330-pounder took his official visit to Alabama. 

• Lacy has high marks for UA official • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Despite having one of the nation's top backs committed for the class of 2009, the University of Alabama would like to build depth with its stable of backs with the departure of Glenn Coffee to the NFL.

• Richardson takes LSU official • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Five-star running back Trent Richardson has made a fair share of Alabama fans nervous by taking his five official visits in the month of January. This weekend he traveled to Baton Rouge for his official to LSU.

• Ming back from T-town • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
One of the quietest of the Tide's 20 commitments for the class of 2009 is Athens's four-star defensive end William Ming. On Sunday, Ming opened up about his official visit to the Capstone. 

• Richardson talks LSU; still committed to Tide • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
When you've visited every school on your list, there isn't a whole lot left to see. But Pensacola (Fla.) Escambia running back Trent Richardson saw a different side of LSU this weekend on his official visit.

• Patterson back from Ole Miss • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
ESPNU 150 wide receiver Pat Patterson took his official visit to Ole Miss this weekend, and said the Rebels made quite an impression on him. 

• Women's Basketball:
Georgia 63, Alabama 61

• Massie loved Alabama visit • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
There are several big-time prospects left on the Crimson Tide's board. Perhaps none is bigger than Bobby Massie, the 6-6, 338-pound offensive tackle from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia who is considered the nation's premier prep school prospect. Massie, who has made official trips to Ole Miss, Miami and North Carolina, was in Tuscaloosa this weekend. 

• Richardson reflects on LSU official visit • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Pensacola-native Trent Richardson has been a commitment to Alabama since last summer. After taking in his official visit to LSU, the 5-star running back returns home ready to ponder where his process stands moving forward. 

• Pat Patterson likes "everything" about trip • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Headed to Tennessee next

• Tide Commitment Takes Another Look at Auburn • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
2009 Auburn Football Recruiting

• Is Atchison wavering? • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
On Friday night, reports began to surface that Tide commit Jonathan Atchison had taken a visit to Auburn. With Alabama having swiped the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder away from the Tigers once already, is there a chance that Auburn has pulled Atchison back to the plains for good?

• Official Visitor Updates • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With less than two weeks to national signing day several of the Tide's top prospects are traveling for official visits. This weekend UA hosted seven players but other prospects like Dre Kirkpatrick, Trent Richardson and more were visiting other programs. 

• Atchison still committed to Tide • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Linebacker Jonathan Atchison remains committed to Alabama, according to his uncle. But an official visit to Auburn over the weekend at least put the Tigers back into the mix.

• Ian R. Rapoport: John Parker Wilson honored... and other Senior Bowl stuff! • al.com
The practices are supposed to be the most important thing. The weigh-ins, the workouts, the drills, the interviews, etc. But the Under Armour Senior Bowl game is, at least, interesting, too. With that in mind, how did the Alabama players do?

• Gentry Estes: Crimson Tide players fare well in 2009 Senior Bowl • al.com
While I was tending to Alabama's basketball defeat to Kentucky yesterday, this year's Senior Bowl was playing out at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium. 

• Doug Segrest: Tide commitment Atchison enjoys Auburn visit • al.com
John Williams, the uncle of Jonathan Atchison, told reporters today that his nephew had a good visit to Auburn this weekend. 

• Bama in the NBA - January 24th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Men's Tennis Rolls Past Troy and No. 69 Furman • RollTide.com
The No. 23 men's tennis team (2-0) kicked off its 2009 spring season with a pair of wins against Troy (0-2) and No. 69 Furman (0-2). 

• Failing to finish • Tuscaloosa News
Tide scores six points in last seven minutes in loss to Wildcats

• Tide set for clash with Georgia • Tuscaloosa News
University of Alabama women’s basketball coach Wendell Hudson calls it getting over the hump. 

• Wilson gets it started, White finishes • Tuscaloosa News
MOBILE | Pat White had a message for all those experts who think the West Virginia quarterback might make a better receiver in the NFL: Not so fast.

• Oklahoma volleyball player transfers to UA • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Sarah Machen, a volleyball player at Oklahoma, is transferring to the University of Alabama.

• Alabama basketball team going to Disney • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama basketball team will play in the 2009 Old Spice Classic at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, the event's organizer has announced.

• Cecil Hurt: Pete Pierson will truly be missed • Tuscaloosa News
The sports world can move quickly in Tuscaloosa, particularly at a time of year when two important winter sports — basketball and football recruiting — are in full swing. Last week was an especially vivid example, with big stories breaking in both areas.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Mark Gottfried: "It was one of those days where we couldn't put it in the hole." • Tuscaloosa News
This one wouldn't win any awards for being pretty. Not today's basketball game. Of course, Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie was complaining. Alabama people might be.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Coaches as traitors? Please, a job's a job • The Birmingham News
Judas Iscariot.
Benedict Arnold.
Lance Thompson and James Willis? 

• Alabama finds NFL departures leave room for key recruits • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama can't go on the recruiting trail and sell wholesale playing time opportunities. 

• Sound Off • The Birmingham News
Lane Kiffin
UA fans scared of Vols: 

• Alabama struggles offensively in losing to Kentucky, 61-51 • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Mikhail Torrance's hot streak went cold, ice cold, in Coleman Coliseum. 

• SEC shines in South's Senior Bowl win • Press-Register
Every year, an argument ensues over which conference is the best in college football.

• Mark McCarter: Another loss that points to coaching • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Mark Gottfried walked past the queue of Kentucky players, coaches and faceless people in suits, shaking hands with a blind formality. He then shrugged back into his own suit coat, having been shed in an angry outburst an hour before, and walked up a ramp at Coleman Coliseum. 

• Sloppy Wildcats beat cold Tide • The Huntsville Times
Kentucky remains perfect in SEC as Bama implodes at the finish  

• ALABAMA BASKETBALL: Wildcats will way past Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Kentucky's two-man traveling show of Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks were held below their scoring average, but it wasn't enough to keep Alabama from losing its third game in the last two weeks. 

• FOOTBALL RECRUITING: Carver's Moore visits Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
Brandon Moore's initial plan to announce his college decision last Thursday fell through.

• ALABAMA RECRUITING: LB leans toward Tide after Willis addition • Montgomery Advertiser
The addition of James Willis to the coaching staff may have helped Alabama pick up its 23rd commitment for the 2009 re­cruiting class.

• Josh Moon: Fans get as much loyalty from coaches as they give • Montgomery Advertiser
James Willis is a traitor. He's a liar and a cheat. He was never a great coach. His re­cruiting ability was vastly over­rated. And he hopes the terror­ists win.

• MEDIA WATCH: Remembering Bryant, and the day he died • Montgomery Advertiser
Some Auburn folks -- un derstandably -- get an noyed this time of year because many people in this state take the occasion of Jan. 26 to reminisce about Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who died 26 years ago Monday.

• Worries shift to offense for struggling Tide • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
For the past three games, it had been about defense for Alabama, or lack thereof. 

• Mistakes cost Tide potential win • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — You can pat them on the head for playing a good game, keeping it respectable and giving Kentucky a scare.

• Kentucky pulls away from Alabama late • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s ability to play even with Kentucky for 34 minutes was surpassed only by the Wildcats’ pinpoint execution to win the game in the final six minutes.

• Stream of Consciousness - 2009 Senior Bowl • College Football News
Pat White was the MVP of the 2009 Senior Bowl, but the most productive players were the running backs like Oregon's Jeremiah Johnson, Purdue's Kory Sheets, and NC State's Andre Brown. Check out the play-by-play breakdown and recap of the 2009 Senior Bowl.

• Defense Good, But Not Enough To Win • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama didn’t have what it took to beat Kentucky in a basketball game in Coleman Coliseum Saturday, but the Crimson Tide showed grit in playing one of the best defensive games a Bama squad has played in many years. Even in a so-so year and maybe having a blah game, the Wildcats have plenty of good basketball players and holding them to 61 points was an achievement. 

• Bama offers 2010 DT • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Nick Saban visits Georgia junior and offers before leaving...

• Offensive Targets • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Last year Nick Saban and staff managed to haul in the nation's top class with several newcomers helping the Tide to the SEC West Championship and a BSC bowl game. Looking to follow up on the heels of that No. 1 group, Alabama currently has the nation's No. 4 ranked class with a chance at making another run to the top with several top targets still on the board...

• Notebook: Wilson leads UA Senior Bowlers • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Former Alabama QB John Parker Wilson took MVP honors in the Senior Bowl on Saturday night. Wilson's performance leads off this weekend notebook from BamaOnLine.com. 

• Recruiting notebook: Ten days to go • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Today marks the beginning of the last full week before national signing day, which is now a mere 10 days away. As you might expect, Alabama is putting the finishing touches on its 2009 signing class.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Philip Pearson: Everything I do, I do full speed. • al.com
Just got done talking to Alabama interim coach Philip Pearson, the former assistant to coach Mark Gottfried. As you know, Gottfried resigned this morning, and Pearson is taking over.

• Gentry Estes: Philip Pearson: • al.com
"We're going to do all that we can to make the best of a challenging and a tough situation."
Former coach Mark Gottfried was gone. Athletics director Mal Moore didn't make himself available to the media on this busy day.

• Alabama Coach Mark Gottfried Announces Resignation • SEC Sports
Alabama Coach Mark Gottfried Announces Resignation

• This Week In SEC Women's Basketball - 1/26 • SEC Sports
This Week In SEC Women's Basketball - 1/26

• This Week In SEC Men's Basketball - 1/26 • SEC Sports
This Week In SEC Men's Basketball - 1/26

• Norwood Clears the Air • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Kevin Norwood responds to the rumors about his recruitment.

• Pearson, players say move was 'unexpected' • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
If anyone saw the departure of Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried coming on Monday, it certainly wasn't newly named interim coach Philip Pearson or the Crimson Tide players.

• VIDEO — Philip Pearson press conference • Crimson Confidential
Interim coach Philip Pearson discusses the basketball coaching change at Alabama 

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Gottfried Resigns: UA Students react

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Alonzo Gee press conference 

• Early offers pour in for Henry County WR MarKeith Ambles • AJC
With offers pouring in from across the country, MarKeith Ambles from Henry County already has established himself as one of the top players in the 2010 class.

• Gentry Estes: Official word from UA: Mark Gottfried resigned, Philip Pearson now interim head coach • al.com
UA has released a statement saying that Mark Gottfried has resigned effective immediately. Philip Pearson is now interim head coach. ...

• Doug Segrest: Receiver Patterson narrows choices to four • al.com
Mississippi wide receiver Patrick Patterson told News staff writer Enea Zhonga today that his top choices are Alabama, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and Tennessee, where he's visiting next weekend. Patterson visited Ole Miss this past weekend.

• Tide posts season-high score, but falls to Georgia • Crimson White
ATHENS, Ga. | The No. 9 Alabama gymnastics team fell to the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs 197.175-196.275, in front of 9,938 fans Friday night.

• Tide cruises to easy victory • Crimson White
The Alabama women’s tennis team won its home opener in impressive fashion beating UT Chattanooga 7-0.

• Tide drops heartbreaker to ’Dawgs • Crimson White
The Alabama women’s basketball team has had a suitcase full of heartbreaking losses but none of those have hurt as badly as Sunday’s 63-61 defeat to the Georgia Bulldogs.

• Tide starts spring season with win at home • Crimson White
In a doubleheader Saturday, the No. 23 Alabama men’s tennis team defeated Troy 6-1 and No. 68 Furman 5-2.

• Late run pushes Wildcats past Tide • Crimson White
Alabama had every opportunity to take down the SEC’s best Saturday but failed to take advantage, falling 61-51 to Kentucky.

• Embattled Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried resigns • Dothan Eagle
Embattled Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried resigned Monday in the middle of his 11th season. 

• Alabama Basketball Starts New Era • 'BamaMag
If everyone who has said he won’t support the program until Mark Gottfried is gone shows up for Alabama’s next home basketball game, the fire marshall will be called to Coleman Coliseum. The University announced Monday afternoon that Gottfried had “resigned,” almost certainly a Tommy Tuberville type resignation. 

• Julio May Be Next Tide Receiver Legend • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Upcoming sophomore may have the stuff of Hutson, Newsome

• James becoming big recruit • 'BamaMag
2010 GA OL started off 2008 unknown and now he is being heavily recruited..

• Hoop pledges react to Gottfried exit • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With Monday's resignation of Tide basketball Coach Mark Gottfried, news spread quickly to Alabama 2009 signees. While some of the reaction contained a measure of shock, it appears for now that the Tide's new recruits ... 

• Bama in the NBA - Players:
Jermareo Davidson signs with the Warriors

• Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark Gottfried Announces Resignation • RollTide.com
University of Alabama head men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried has resigned effective immediately, UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore announced today. Crimson Tide assistant coach Philip Pearson... 

• Embattled coach Gottfried resigns • ESPN
Embattled Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried resigned Monday afternoon. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alabama officials expected to announce coach Mark Gottried's tenure is over • al.com
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama officials are expected to announce that Alabama coach Mark Gottfried is out as the Crimson Tide's coach, a source close to the situation told The News.

• Gentry Estes:  Mark Gottfried out as Alabama's basketball coach • al.com
Word comes from sources today after Gottfried met with UA athletics director Mal Moore this afternoon. Gottfried is not expected to coach the Crimson Tide's games for the remainder of the season.

• Gottfried out • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried is out of a job midway through his eleventh season with the Crimson Tide, BamaOnLine.com has confirmed. 

• Gottfried out as Alabama basketball coach • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama removed Mark Gottfried as its men's basketball coach Monday, effective immediately.

• Mark Gottfried fired • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried will be relieved of his duties this week, ending a run of nearly 11 years as the Crimson Tide’s head basketball coach, sources have told The Tuscaloosa News.

• Green Earns Second SEC Freshman of the Week Award • RollTide.com
University of Alabama forward JaMychal Green has been named the Southeastern Conference men's basketball Freshman of the Week for the second time this season the league office announced Monday morn... 

• Tide gymnasts stay at No. 9 • Tuscaloosa News
Although the University of Alabama had it’s season-best best team score at Georgia on Saturday (196.275), the Crimson Tide did not move up in the national rankings, remaining at No. 9.

• JaMychal Green named SEC Freshman of the Week • Tuscaloosa News
Published: Monday, January 26, 2009 at 1:04 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM | University of Alabama forward JaMychal Green has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after averaging 13.5 points, five rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in the Crimson Tide’s games against Ole Miss and Kentucky.

• Former UA assistant coach Bobby Marks dies • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Bobby Marks, who served as an assistant football coach for the University of Alabama during one of the great eras in Crimson Tide football, died on Monday morning.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Coach Mark Gottfried scheduled to meet now... • al.com
...with UA athletics director Mal Moore to discuss his job future
Head over to the Birmingham News' breaking news page... There are some basketball issues to discuss. At least one major one:

• Wilson Honored as Senior Bowl's Offensive Player of the Game • RollTide.com
Former Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson was honored as the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl's Offensive Player of the Game following his performance on Saturday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in ... 

• Ian R. Rapoport: So... what happened with Alabama's offense on Saturday? • al.com
In Alabama's 61-51 loss to Kentucky on Saturday, the offensive numbers were not so sweet. Pretty, um, sour actually. 

• Gentry Estes: Live chat at 6 p.m. tonight ... • al.com
Here's something for Alabama fans on this memorable day. ...

• Gentry Estes: Signing Day looms extra suspenseful for Alabama ... • al.com
In the big picture of football recruiting, you'll hear people say that it's often irrelevant until National Signing Day. That is when the final surprises shake out, a "verbal commitment" becomes a "signee," and teams can truly take stock of who will be on campus in the fall.

• SEC Men's Basketball Coaches Press Conference • SEC Sports
SEC Men's Basketball Coaches Press Conference

• Thornton, Green Receive SEC Weekly Honors • SEC Sports
Thornton, Green Receive SEC Weekly Honors

• Russ Mitchell: Mitchell Blog: Where's all the $ coming from?  • College Football News
Brace yourself, non-SEC fans. As the saying goes, follow the money

• James becoming big recruit • 'BamaMag
UCF offered first in December, Nick Saban stopped in to check on him last week, and schools have been through daily to check on this top junior recruit. Find out more here. 

• Senior Bowl Buzz: Confirmed Meetings • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Team scouts conducted one-on-one interviews with the following four players down at the Senior Bowl

• ‘Bear Country’ Gets High Marks • 'BamaMag
Review of play about legendary Tide coach playing in Montgomery

• Bama in the NBA - January 25th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Tide in Tampa • Tuscaloosa News
Former UA players headed to Super Bowl as coaches

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting chat transcript • Tuscaloosa News
Chat transcript (1-21-09)

• Tide comes up short against UGA • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Yeah, this one hurt.

• Alabama women’s tennis sweeps Chattanooga • Tuscaloosa News
Tuscaloosa | The University of Alabama women’s tennis team (1-0) opened up its 2009 spring season with a win, sweeping UT-Chattanooga (2-1) 7-0 Sunday afternoon.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Recruiting bonanza-rama... what did everybody say? • al.com
OK, so I'm back from The News' banquet to talk a little recruiting. Hey, it's better than the other conversation I had, which was trying to explain to the Banktress why Taco Bell no longer serves the volcano taco. She was inconsolable.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Monday, January 26, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Top targets leave Tide in waiting room • The Huntsville Times
High-profile recruits postponing their decisions until National Signing Day

• ALABAMA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Georgia hits late basket to nip Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
Tuscaloosa -- Porsha Phillips scored a career-high 21 points, including the game-winning 14-foot jumper with 25.6 seconds left, to lead the Georgia Lady Bulldogs to a 63-61 win over Alabama at Coleman Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. 

• It’s getting worse for Tide hoops • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama’s 61-51 home loss to Kentucky on Saturday looked a lot like Mark Gottfried’s career as the Tide’s head basketball coach: 

• Alabama recruit sees familiar face on campus • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Carver High offensive lineman Brandon Moore was a little taken aback this past weekend during his official visit to Alabama. 

• Late basket cuts off Tide comeback • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Porsha Phillips scored a career-high 21 points, including the game-winning 14-foot jumper with 25.6 seconds left to lift Georgia to a 63-61 women’s basketball win at Alabama on Sunday. 

• College Basketball Notebook • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky forward Ramon Harris was held out of practice Sunday, one day after fainting during Kentucky’s 61-51 win at Alabama. 

• Mistakes cost Tide potential win • Dothan Eagle
TUSCALOOSA — You can pat them on the head for playing a good game, keeping it respectable and giving Kentucky a scare.

• Lowndes DB Greg Reid sets the record straight about UGA visit • AJC
Greg Reid is scheduled to take an official visit to Georgia on Friday, but rumors are swirling that he may switch out UGA for another school. Reid confirmed to the AJC on late Sunday night that at least three schools...

• Carver DB Darren Myles has "surprise" for his final official visit • AJC
There’s a surprising contestant in the recruiting sweepstakes for Carver-Atlanta’s Darren Myles Jr. Guess who? It’s Kentucky, who will get the final official visit on Friday for one of the nation’s top prospects. Although Myles claims no favorites, Kentucky’s chances...

• Douglass LB sticking with Alabama over Auburn • AJC
Douglass linebacker Jonathan Atchison, who was wavering between Auburn and Alabama, said he remains committed to Alabama. “I’m just waiting for signing day,” told the AJC on Sunday night. The 6-foot-3, 226-pound linebacker committed to Auburn over Alabama in August,...

• In-state standout enjoys UA official • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
One of the Tide's earliest commitments was Anthony Orr of Sparkman HS in Harvest. The 6-5, 250-pound defensive end was a late arrival to campus, but that didn't keep him from enjoying his official visit.

• Reid's never seen anything like Tuscaloosa • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"I loved everything about it," Greg Reid says of his weekend visit to Alabama. "That's a football town. It's a complete football crazy town and I love it. I've never been anywhere like that."

• Tide makes impression on LA back • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
In terms of talent, there is no denying the ability of Eddie Lacy of Dutchtown HS in Geismar. After all, the 5-11, 213-pounder has rushed for over 2,800 yards and 43 touchdowns over the past two seasons. The biggest question about Lacy has been grades. This past weekend, Lacy had a chance to visit Alabama, the one school that has stayed in regular contact in spite of the question of academics. 

• Eddie Lacy trips to T-town • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Eddie Lacy, four-star running back from Geismar-Dutchtown, La., has returned from an official visit to Alabama. The Louisiana native talked in-depth of the time in Tuscaloosa, and updated his grade situation.

• "No more visits." • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Tide commitment rates the trip a "10."

• UA official a success with five-star Reid • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With five-star Lowndes (Ga.) athlete Greg Reid having cancelled one official visit set to Alabama already, some figure the fast-riser to be a longshot for the Tide. After finally taking his long-awaited trip to the Capstone this weekend, however, could UA be in play for this shutdown corner? 

• Atchison solid to Tide • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
On Friday night, reports began to surface that Tide commit [db]Jonathan Atchison[/db] had taken a visit to Auburn. With Alabama having swiped the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder away from the Tigers once already, is there a chance that Auburn has pulled Atchison back to the plains for ... 

• Weekend recruiting roundup • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Given that there were no new public verbal commitments, it would be impossible to say the recruiting weekend just past was an overly productive one for Alabama. But the Crimson Tide didn't appear to lose any ground, either.

• Under Armour MVP Reid a wanted man • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
When Valdosta (Ga.) Lowdnes cornerback Greg Reid decommitted from Florida last month, he figured he would be getting a little more attention heading towards signing day.

• Moore knows where he'll play college football • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Montgomery DT visited Tuscaloosa this weekend 

• Moore: Tide to begin narrowing coaching list • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Mal Moore said the University of Alabama's first order of business in the process to replace Mark Gottfried as the Crimson Tide's head basketball coach will be to narrow a list of top candidates that the school can approach about the job.

• Chuck Franks weighing Alabama football offer • Tuscaloosa News
Fayette County High School football prospect Chuck Franks is considering a late offer from the University of Alabama.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Mal Moore: • al.com
"We want to find a coach that we feel can keep us in the championship picture."
A day after Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore accepted the resignation of Crimson Tide coach Mark Gottfried, Moore stepped to the lecture and answered some questions. A bunch of topics were broached... 

• Ian R. Rapoport: The far-reaching effects of the resignation of Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried... • al.com
We already know that the resignation of former Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried has far-reaching consequences. He is out of a job, he'll receive a hefty buyout, and Gottfried could be in the market for a new job. From the personal standpoint, that means his family could have to move and leave the town in which they've lived for 11 years, etc.

• Gentry Estes: Mal Moore on Mark Gottfried: "We were losing ground with our fanbase." • al.com
Alabama athletics director Mal Moore just met with reporters today to discuss Monday's resignation of men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried, hitting on a wide range of topics. 

• 2009 SEC Softball Preseason Team Announced • SEC Sports
2009 SEC Softball Preseason Team Announced 

• Search for new Tide coach won’t be hurried • Dothan Eagle
Alabama director of athletics Mal Moore was a one-man search committee when he found Nick Saban.

• Greg Reid enjoys Tuscaloosa visit • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Greg Reid, four-star cornerback from Valdosta-Lowndes, Ga., took an official visit to the University of Alabama. The trip to Tuscaloosa was a first, and Reid quickly discovered the passion of the fans. 

• Moore seeks more from UA hoops • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama A.D. Mal Moore spoke Tuesday about his search for Alabama's next basketball coach.

• VIDEO — Mal Moore press conference • Crimson Confidential
Alabama athletic director Mal Moore discusses the resignation of basketball coach Mark Gottfried

• Bama in prime position to land Lacy • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
A bigger Barry Sanders — that’s the way Eddie Lacy, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back out of Dutchtown High School in Geismar, La., is described by his head coach, Benny Saia. 

• Alabama softball ranked No. 2 in preseason • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama softball team is ranked No. 2 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 preseason poll.

• Ian R. Rapoport:  A "dead heat" for Trent Richardson? Yikes. • al.com
I'm sorry, you thought this was just a basketball blog now? Think again. We still write about football just a little bit. And speaking of... 

•  Gentry Estes: Let's try this chat idea again ... tonight at 9 p.m. • al.com
So I picked the wrong day to launch the first Bama Beat blog chat. Of course, that goal was postponed by some major basketball news that consumed my Monday.

• Gentry Estes: Tuesday reading: Responses to Mark Gottfried's departure • al.com
Former Alabama forward Richard Hendrix was stepping off a basketball court in Bismarck, N.D. (home of the NBDL's Dakota Wizards) when he answered his cell phone to learn that Mark Gottfried was no longer coach of the Crimson Tide.

• Dennis Pillion: Mal Moore should take a hint from Florida AD and hire Anthony Grant to replace Mark Gottfried • al.com
Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore's tenure in Tuscaloosa hasn't all been smooth sailing, but now as Moore gets closer to retirement, his legacy is starting to come into focus.

• Ben Culpepper: Possible candidates to replace Mark Gottfried as the next Alabama Crimson Tide basketball coach • al.com
WIth the recent resignation/firing of Alabama head basketball coach Mark Gottfried, an excellent SEC job opportunity has presented itself to many coaching candidates around the country. 

• Here, coachy, coachy coachy • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
Time for another coach hunt! 

• BOL War Room • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
It is just eight days until National Signing Day and there are still plenty of unanswered questions for the Tide. Can Alabama sign five-star OL Bobby Massie? Will Texas provide competition for Dre Kirkpatrick? 

• The latest on Trent • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Florida coach Urban Meyer and running backs coach Kenny Carter met with five-star prospect Trent Richardson on Monday. Rumors have ran wild about the status of the five-star phenom... 

• Richardson's coach debunks rumor • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
At this stage in the recruiting season, rumors are swirling. The latest had Trent Richardson breaking off his long-time commitment to Alabama.

• Gymnastics Ranked No. 9 Nationally; Remains No. 1 on Balance Beam • RollTide.com
The Alabama Gymnastics team is ninth in the national rankings again this week after putting up its best score of the season, 196.275, last Friday at Georgia. 

• Gottfried out • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried resigned from his post on Monday afternoon, ending a run of nearly 11 years as the Crimson Tide's head basketball coach.

• Tide players surprised by firing • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Everyone associated with the University of Alabama men's basketball program knew about the rumors, had seen the Internet reports and heard the speculation on the radio.

• Cecil Hurt: Gottfried era ends where it began, at the bottom • Tuscaloosa News
It's hard to choose an adjective to describe Mark Gottfried's basketball coaching career at the University of Alabama. There wasn't enough success to merit lofty words like 'illustrious' or 'distinguished.' (Graduation rates are a notable exception that should be mentioned here.)

• Andrew Bone: Many twists and turns with signing day in sight • Tuscaloosa News
National Signing Day is one week from Wednesday with several of the Tide's top targets uncommitted.

• Tommy Deas: Student football tickets: Let them eat broccoli • Tuscaloosa News
Most children don't like broccoli, but parents discovered long ago that kids will eat it anyway if they have to clean their plates to get dessert.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Former Alabama hoops coach Mark Gottfried to receive full buyout... • al.com
It's been a long day with a whole lot of news for the Alabama basketball program. Former Crimson Tide coach Mark Gottfried is out, if you didn't know. Anyway, as UA officials now begin the long search for his replacement, it's worth looking at how much money there is to spend. 

• Gentry Estes: Video: Alabama's Philip Pearson and players talk coaching change • al.com
Video: Alabama's Philip Pearson and players talk coaching change

• Gottfried's exit was one I won't forget • Chris Stewart Sports
I walked into Coleman Coliseum at 8:45 a.m. yesterday, as I do almost every Sunday morning during the college basketball season.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Gottfried, Moore refuse to fight the inevitable • The Birmingham News
Why fight it?

• Under pressure, Gottfried resigns as Alabama's coach • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Mark Gottfried walked into a meeting Monday with Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore as the target of sharp criticism and the coach of a team mired in mediocrity. He walked out without a job.

• Mark Gottfried, a fiery player for Tide, seen losing that intensity as coach • The Birmingham News
Mark Gottfried was one of their own, a former Alabama player who never lacked for effort and intensity in his three years as a player with the Crimson Tide.

• Not bad not good at demanding UA • The Birmingham News
After learning of the resignation of Mark Gottfried on Monday, the only thing that surprised me was that Gottfried lasted as long as he did at Alabama. When you coach under an athletics director as demanding as Mal Moore, and for a team with a fan base as rabid as Alabama's, you have to produce excellence almost every year. Gottfried just wasn't doing that.

• Alabama players shocked, saddened by basketball coach Mark Gottfried's departure • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - University of Alabama basketball players expressed shock and sadness on Monday after Mark Gottfried told them before practice that he had resigned as their head coach.

• Tide basketball recruit finds other SEC schools interested in wake of resignation • The Birmingham News
One of Alabama's top basketball recruits learned about Mark Gottfried's resignation by a phone call. 

• Paul Finebaum: Alabama made the right call on Gottfried • Press-Register
On the 26th anniversary of Paul Bryant's death, there was breaking news again across the state of Alabama. 

• Can Alabama land another big name coach? • Press-Register
The last time the University of Alabama had to make a major coaching hire, the Tide brass swung for the fences and landed Nick Saban, albeit at a $4 million-a-year price tag.

• Gottfried resignation 'nature of the business' • Press-Register
Mark Gottfried's Monday resignation as basketball coach at Alabama was described by many around the state and the SEC as "the nature of the business."

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Bill Bryant: Who's got next at Alabama? It depends on expectations • The Huntsville Times
The trouble with great expectations is having to meet them. In recent years, Mark Gott-fried had a hard time meeting modest expectations, and that's why he's no longer the basketball coach at the University of Alabama. 

• Gottfried steps down midway through his 11th season • The Huntsville Times
TUSCALOOSA - Mark Gottfried shed tears and shared hugs Monday afternoon during a final meeting with the Alabama basketball team he directed for more than 10 years. 

• Gottfried no longer UA's basketball coach • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama athletic director Mal Moore had seen enough. Apparently, Crimson Tide men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried came to the same conclusion.

• Ex-JD star takes over Tide hoops • Montgomery Advertiser
Philip Pearson had always prepared himself for this day, just not this situation.

• New day for Tide hoops • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
On the day Mark Gottfried announced his resignation as Alabama’s basketball coach, he stood in the Crimson Tide locker room and addressed his former team one more time. 

• Little support left at the end for Gottfried • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Taking Alabama to the NCAA tournament regional finals in 2004 marked the high point of Mark Gottfried’s Tide basketball coaching career. 

• College Basketball Notebook • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
Alabama
BIRMINGHAM — Alabama forward JaMychal Green has been named the Southeastern Conference men’s basketball freshman of the week for the second time this season. 

• Gottfried out as Tide’s head coach • Dothan Eagle
Embattled Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried resigned Monday in the middle of his 11th season. 

• Dothan native, former Tide star Farmer supports friend • Dothan Eagle
Dothan native Jim Farmer sat in the stands of Coleman Coliseum on Saturday to show his support for his friend and former teammate, Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried.

• Alabama emerges as serious contender for Lowndes DB Greg Reid • AJC
Greg Reid wasn’t even sure he was going to visit Alabama last Thursday night. He was checking out flights for Tennessee.

• The Crystal Ball: Tide expected to roll on signing day! • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
With signing day just over a week away, many questions remain unanswered for the Crimson Tide's 2009 class. Alabama will finish with one of the best classes in the country. But will it be the best? It could be.

• Tide drops in on junior RB • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Even though signing day is right around the corner, the UA coaching staff is taking time this month to check up on some of the top juniors around the state. Late last week, Tide head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart were in Opelika to check up on 2010 running back Cory Grant. 

• Greg Reid enjoys Tuscaloosa visit • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Greg Reid, four-star cornerback from Valdosta-Lowndes, Ga., took an official visit to the University of Alabama. The trip to Tuscaloosa was a first, and Reid quickly discovered the passion of the fans. 

• Chuck Franks has decision to make • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Linebacker took unofficial visit to Alabama.

• Not much left for Randle • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
The nation's top-rated wide receiver and state's marquee player has officially narrowed down his choice of schools to three. Rueben Randle is expected to announce his decision on Signing Day and the Crimson Tide hopes to steal the five-star.

• Announcement set for Tana • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Information regarding the recruitment of North Jackson Rivals100 linebacker Tana Patrick has been hard to come by, but the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder is now set to make his college decision.

• Mingo back from UA official • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
One of the top pass-rushers in the southeast is West Monroe (La.) defensive end/linebacker Barkevious Mingo. This weekend, Mingo took his official visit to Tuscaloosa. 

• Who is Philip Pearson? • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Philip Pearson picked up his cell phone after his first practice as Alabama's interim basketball coach, and got a pretty quick indication that his life had changed in a major way.

• Stinson takes second look at LSU • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Perhaps more significant than what Ed Stinson did is what exactly it means. 

• Forty-Five Student Athletes Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll • RollTide.com
A total of 45 University of Alabama student-athletes, representing football, soccer and volleyball, were named to the 2008-09 Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll, the SEC Office announ... 

• Sandy Fowler Selected as United States Head Coach for Five Nations Match • RollTide.com
The Alabama women's track and field coach has yet another coaching job at the international level. Sandy Fowler has been coaching United States track teams since the early 1990s, but only once as a...

• Women's Track and Field to Compete at Nebraska Adidas Classic • RollTide.com
The women's track and field team will compete at the Nebraska Adidas Classic in Lincoln, Neb. on Saturday, Jan. 31. The meet being held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center will consist of five women's... 

• Three UA softball players named to Watch List • Tuscaloosa News
The Amateur Softball Association of America named three University of Alabama softball players to its 2009 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List on Wednesday.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Tubby Smith: "I'm not a candidate for any other jobs." • al.com
In the race to issue the first denial in an attempt to ease speculation, Minnesota coach Tubby Smith wins! After practice in Minneapolis earlier today, the former Kentucky coach was asked about being discussed as a candidate for the Alabama job left vacant by Mark Gottfried's resignation.

• Gentry Estes: Minnesota's Tubby Smith: "I'm not a candidate for any other jobs." • al.com
Minnesota coach Tubby Smith told local reporters today that he's not looking to leave at the end of the season for another job.

• Gentry Estes: Honoring the scholars on Alabama's football team ... • al.com
We sometimes have to tell you which Alabama football players are not making the grade academically. But here are some that are. ... 

• Robinson to visit Alabama this weekend • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Gene Robinson seems content to play coy during these final days of the recruiting process.

• Men's Basketball to Face Arkansas on ESPN Thursday Evening • RollTide.com
Interim head coach Philip Pearson and the University of Alabama men's basketball team travel to Arkansas Thursday evening looking to put a tumultous few days in the rear-view mirror and even its SE... 

• Softball Tabbed No. 2 in ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 pre-season Poll • RollTide.com
The Amateur Softball Association announced the 2009 ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 pre-season Poll. The University of Alabama checked at No. 2, receiving 466 total votes. Fellow Southeaste... 

• Softball Lands Four on SEC Preseason Team • RollTide.com
The Southeastern Conference unveiled its second annual Preseason All-SEC team to highlight the upcoming season of SEC softball. The University of Alabama had four selections to the preseason squad. 

• Alabama softball picked for two live TV dates • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOOSA | The second-ranked University of Alabama softball team has been selected to appear twice on Fox Sports Net in the 2009 season, making the Crimson Tide the only team selected for multiple regional TV dates under the Southeastern Conference’s deal with FSN.

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
UA holds a student football ticket forum

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Mal Moore, Part 1

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Mal Moore, Part 2

• Christopher Walsh: The side of sports you often don't think about • Tuscaloosa News
Some of the people I know at the University of Alabama have been reminding me lately of that great quote from former football coach Joe Kines: "It's a great job, but it's a lousy business."

• Ian R. Rapoport: Scarbinsky: Sorry Anthony Grant fans, he's not coming to Alabama • al.com
A little bit of basketball news for you this morning, and it's probably not something that'll make big-time Alabama hoops fans smile. So, we know now that the search to replace Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried is on, right? But who will fill his shoes? 

• Gentry Estes: The search begins: Basketball news and notes • al.com
We're into third day of what is guaranteed to be a lengthy, complicated and relatively secretive process to replace Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried.

• Doug Segrest: If at first you do commit, visit and visit again • al.com
Pensacola running back Trent Richardson isn't the only blue-chipper who pledged to one school but continues to shop around. Richardson, of course, is now considering Florida and Alabama -- the latter the school he committed to last summer.

• This Week in SEC Gymnastics - January 28th • SEC Sports
This Week in SEC Gymnastics - January 28th

• SEC Softball Television Schedule Released • SEC Sports
SEC Softball Television Schedule Released

• 2008-09 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll • SEC Sports
2008-09 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll

• SEC Track and Field Notebook - Wed., January 28th • SEC Sports
SEC Track and Field Notebook - Wed., January 28th

• Tide looking for proven coach • Crimson White
Moore discusses terms of Gottfried’s resignation

• Bettering the dream • Crimson White
Caitlin Sullivan’s journey to colligate gymnastics is one she can’t regret

• North Gwinnett junior to visit Alabama and Auburn • AJC
North Gwinnett junior offensive tackle Austin Shepherd will visit Alabama, Auburn and Florida State for Junior Day this weekend. The 6-5, 315-pound Shepherd doesn’t have any offers, but is also drawing interest from Michigan State, Central Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech,...

• Jess Lanier junior LB drawing interest • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
The last great linebacker to come out of Bessemer-Jess Lanier was DeMeco Ryans. The next great one might be Ladarius Owens, a 6-2, 225-pounder with 4.5 speed. 

• Janzen Jackson visiting Alabama • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Janzen Jackson, four-star cornerback from Lake Charles-Barbe, La., returned from an official visit to LSU with thoughts of not taking a trip to Alabama. Jackson has made weekend plans, and he has hosted visitors throughout the week. 

• Behold: Nostradamus Lives! • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
Again, I don’t even really know what a quatrain is but it sounds like a subway that leaves the station around 4 o’clock. So we won’t incorporate those into this blog at any point. I am not even sure I am spelling Nostradamus right. And he didn’t give a shit about football. Maybe I should have gone with Jean Dixon. Nevertheless, you probably want a Signing Day guesstimate. Here’s one: 

• UA closing on top class • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With a little over a week until national signing day Nick Saban and staff are trying to put the finishing touches on what could be back-to-back top five national classes. Last year Alabama hauled in the nation’s top overall group and at this point the Tide check in at No. 4 in the nation with several top prospects still on the board.

• SEC West recruiting breakdown • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
The SEC West presented both pleasant surprises and utter disappointments during games this past fall. We are seeing similar trends on the recruiting trail.

• Recruiting 2009:
LB  Petey Smith commits 

• Bama in the NBA - January 27th Game Stats:
Mo Williams scored a career-high 43

• A Transcript of Athletics Director Mal Moore's Press Conference • RollTide.com
"Yesterday, I met with Coach Gottfried and accepted his resignation as the head coach of Alabama basketball." 

• 'A number of things' led to change • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama director of athletics Mal Moore said Tuesday that UA would seek 'a sitting head coach at the college level, who is proven with championship-caliber experience who we think can take us to that level' as a replacement for Mark Gottfried, who stepped down after being asked to resign as the Crimson Tide coach.

• Chuck Franks considers UA offer • Tuscaloosa News
Fayette County High School football prospect Chuck Franks is considering a late offer from the University of Alabama.

• Alabama gets commitment from Florida linebacker • Tuscaloosa News
An in-home visit from head coach Nick Saban paid off Tuesday night with a commitment from linebacker Petey Smith of Seffner, Fla.

• Castille 'living the dream' • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The difference was felt while winning the NFC Championship, and soaked in during last week's preparation for the biggest game of his career.

• Grand Slammers barbecue, Fan Day is Feb. 7 • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | The 26th annual Alabama Grand Slammers preseason barbecue and Fan Day will be Saturday, Feb. 7. The event will include a free clinic for kids, followed by the barbecue and autograph session with the Crimson Tide baseball team. The day will conclude with an intrasquad game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

• Alabama lands Florida linebacker • Tuscaloosa News
Alabama head coach Nick Saban visited Petey Smith Tuesday night.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alabama AD Mal Moore speaks! (with video) • al.com
Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore stopped by today to discuss the departure of basketball coach Mark Gottfried. Moore addressed a bunch of topics, beginning with his expectations for the program:

• Ian R. Rapoport: Finally, Petey Smith decides to officially commit to Alabama... • al.com
You may recall last week when linebacker Petey Smith couldn't stop talking about how much he loved Alabama. He didn't commit right then, but he made it fairly clear he was going to. 

• COLLEGE FOOTBALL RECRUITING NOTEBOOK • The Birmingham News
Tide coaches visit Richardson Thursday:

• FLORIDA THE CLASS OF SEC RECRUITING • The Birmingham News
With all the attention on football recruiting this month, it's a good time to see how the same effort to woo talent has impacted SEC basketball. 

• Sports agent seeks end of criminal charge after hospital visit of Tyrone Prothro • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - A Virginia sports agent accused of instructing an employee to visit Tyrone Prothro in the hospital while he was an Alabama football player is seeking a dismissal on one of the two charges.

• Surprise: Knight loves Alabama • The Birmingham News
The University of Alabama's next men's basketball coach? How does Bob Knight sound to you? 

• Paul Finebaum: Tennessee's Kiffin may not be ready for SEC • Press-Register
What is the biggest upset in sports history? 

• Alabama was 'losing ground:' • Press-Register
Athletic Director Mal Moore says a number of things led him to ask for Mark Gottfried's resignation
TUSCALOOSA - It was fairly simple, yet to Mal Moore "awkward and tough." 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• AD claims program was 'losing ground' • The Huntsville Times
Moore: Decline was several years in the making

• AD: Tide change had 'been building' • Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama athletic director Mal Moore said he would spend the next couple of weeks identifying candidates for a new men's basket­ball coach before settling on a proven head coach with champi­onship-caliber qualifications. 

• LB commits to Crimson Tide • Montgomery Advertiser
Smith made his decision official on Tuesday by announcing he was committing to Alabama.

• Tide paying Gottfried $2.25 million to leave • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — Though former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried technically resigned, he will be paid his contractual buyout in full, athletics director Mal Moore announced Tuesday. 

• TI TV for January 27 • WVUA
See it on WVUA7.com, the home of Tider Insider TV.

• Kendall Kelly is down to three • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Rumors coming out of Gadsden lately have been that the Crimson Tide is running a distant third behind Clemson and LSU for wide receiver Kendall Kelly.

• Petey Smith picks Tide • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Tampabayonline.com broke the news this afternoon that Seffner-Armwood, FL linebacker Petey Smith has committed to Alabama. The 6-0, 250-pound Smith made his decision public shortly after a visit from Tide head coach Nick Saban today. 

• Petey Smith commits to Alabama • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Petey Smith will sign his letter of intent for the University of Alabama next Wednesday. The Sunshine State product visited Tuscaloosa with his parents and left with a great feeling about the direction of the program. 

• Chuck Franks has decision to make • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Linebacker took unofficial visit to Alabama.

• Tide lands number 21 • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
It has been awhile since Alabama's last verbal commitment, but during an in-home visit with Tide Coach Nick Saban Tuesday evening, the Tide landed their 21st commitment of the class of 2009. 

• The search begins • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama and basketball coach Mark Gottfried have parted ways midseason, leaving fans to wonder who will be hired as the Crimson Tide's next head man. BamaOnLine.com takes a look at some of the names that have made their way through the rumor mill. 

• Moore: Tide was 'losing ground' under Gottfried • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama athletic director Mal Moore said there were several reasons that Mark Gottfried is no longer the Crimson Tide's basketball coach, but one outweighed all the others.

• Tide lands Under Armour All-American LB • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama picked up its 21st verbal commitment for 2009 on Tuesday, with the addition of Under Armour All-American linebacker Petey Smith. 

• Crimson Confidential Radio, January 27 • Crimson Confidential
In the inaugural edition of Crimson Confidential Radio, Senior Writer Creg Stephenson and host Dave Nathan discuss the...

• Softball Lands Three on Player of the Year Watch List • RollTide.com
The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, has selected its initial "Watch List" for the 8th Annual USA Softball National Colle...

• TideSports Video: • Tuscaloosa News
Tidesports spotlight - Megan Mashburn

• Gentry Estes: Mark Gottfried: "I have no bitter feelings towards Alabama." • al.com
Alabama coach Mark Gottfried broke his public silence today, reaching out to reporters after a few days of reflection to discuss Monday's events that led to him not being the Crimson Tide's coach after more than 10 seasons.

• Texas junior WR eyeing UA • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Quentin Parks didn't put up big numbers in his junior season, but that hasn't diminished the interest several big-time college programs are showing the wide receiver from Humble-Atascocita, Texas.

• LB commit excited about the Tide • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Earlier this week, Alabama landed a commitment from physical linebacker Petey Smith of Armwood HS in Seffner, Florida. At the time, the 6-0, 250-pound tackling machine reportedly held over three dozen scholarship offers from some of the top programs in the country. In the end, it was the Tide that rose to the top. 

• Decision time looming for Stinson • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With four-star defensive end Ed Stinson on the verge of making his college decision, the Crimson Tide sent a team of assistants to the Sunshine state today to make their last pitch. Check inside for Stinson's thoughts on the visit and on his upcoming decision. 

• Women's Tennis Hosts Pair of Matches this Weekend • RollTide.com
The women's tennis (1-0) team looks to continue its winning ways this weekend when it hosts Tulane (4-1) on Friday at 4:00 p.m. (CST) and Georgia State (1-0) on Sunday at Noon (CST). 

• Alabama Swimming and Diving Closes Out Regular Season at Home Saturday • RollTide.com
The Alabama Swimming and Diving teams close out their regular season Saturday, Jan. 31 at home with a tri-meet against Georgia and South Carolina starting at 11 a.m. in the Alabama Aquatic Center. 

• Mark Gottfried through the years • Tuscaloosa News
Gottfried's early years.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Mark Gottfried: "I will never in my lifetime utter a negative word about Alabama." • al.com
Before I head over to the Bud Walton Arena to watch Alabama play Arkansas, columnist Kevin Scarbinsky sends in this update after a long interview with former Crimson Tide coach Mark Gottfried. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: While we wait for the Philip Pearson Era to begin... • al.com
Who does Arkansas think it is...? New York? Massachusetts? This is ridiculous. I'm sitting in a Fayetteville hotel lobby, while the power finally comes on after a terrible ice storm. There is snow on the ground, it's cold, and I feel right at home. Or something.

• Big 'Fluke' made the right decision • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
D.J. Fluker, from Foley High School, is ready to sign with the school he committed to well over a year ago, the University of Alabama. The 6-foot-7, 327-pound offensive lineman was the hit of the official weekend visitors, but he now has some calls to make for NSD. 

• Signing Day Decision Tracker • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With just days to go before National Signing Day, Alabama is headed toward an eventful climax to the end of the 2008 recruiting class. BamaOnline takes a look at the tentative schedule for signing day announcements among the Crimson Tide's top targets with our Signing Day ... 

• Massie not visiting Georgia • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Bobby Massie, the big and talented offensive lineman from Hargrave Military Academy personally told ESPN affiliate TotalUGA.com that he is not visiting Athens this weekend.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Hoops coaching news: Alabama defeats Georgia, Tubby Smith defeats Mike Anderson • al.com
In the race for the first denial of interest in the Alabama basketball coaching job, Tubby Smith won, but only by a few hours. Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide defeated Georgia by a few days in its race to be the first to begin searching for a head coach. 

• Gentry Estes: Alabama already has close company in its basketball coaching hunt • al.com
The University of Georgia has called a press conference for this morning "to discuss the men¹s basketball program."

• BOL Forecast • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With less than a week remaining before Signing Day, some recruiting situations involving Alabama are clearing up while others remain murky. BOL presents its latest installment of the recruiting forecast for the UA class of 2009 and predicts the final pieces to another stellar group by the Tide.

• Basketball preview: Alabama at Arkansas • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's Senario Hillman and the Crimson Tide basketball team will be on ESPN tonight against SEC West foe Arkansas.

• Tide travels to Arkansas for Pearson's debut • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
The coach is new, and the lineup might be slightly different, but the task remains the same for the Alabama basketball team — find a way to win a Southeastern Conference road game.

• Bama in the NBA - January 28th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Pearson’s team ‘a little different’ • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | In the middle of the most tumultuous week of his professional life, Philip Pearson has had to deal with everything from personal emotions to paperwork, from calling recruits to addressing the media. In the meantime, he has also had another duty — preparing the University of Alabama basketball team to play an important road game at Arkansas tonight.

• Ronald Steele UA career over • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama men's basketball senior guard Ronald Steele has elected to forgo the remainder of his senior season head coach Mark Gottfried announced Tuesday evening.

• Ian R. Rapoport:  Alabama football players -- Smart! • al.com
So, the Alabama football players did pretty well in the classroom this fall. And I don't just mean because the team had no one academically suspended for the Sugar Bowl. We got a release on it today, and I was going to put it up earlier, but then Tubby Smith said what he did and I had to post that. 

• Gentry Estes: Missouri's Mike Anderson weighs in on the Alabama job talk • al.com
One more basketball note too late to make the newspaper ...

• Doug Segrest:  Les is (one) more coach after Trent Richardson • al.com
Running back Trent Richardson, the South's top prospect at his position and a longtime Alabama commitment, had another surprise visitor Tuesday: LSU coach Les Miles, according to Richardson's godmother and the Pensacola News Journal.

• Crimson Tide hoops coach Philip Pearson lauded for recruiting, devotion to family • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA -- On Monday afternoon Philip Pearson was blindsided with the irony that his dream of becoming a college head basketball coach had come true but it meant he was likely a dead man walking. 

• Alabama plays Arkansas, moving on from resignation of Gottfried • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - The Alabama players will look at the bench tonight to find a new leader. They said an emotional goodbye to the man who recruited and mentored them and said hello to his top assistant.

• Former Alabama basketball coach David Hobbs sold his home • The Birmingham News
Former Alabama basketball coach David Hobbs sold his home last Friday in Kentucky as he plans to make Birmingham his new home. 

• UA should move on without Steele • The Birmingham News
If Ronald Steele decides he wants to return to the University of Alabama basketball team in the wake of Mark Gottfried's resignation, the university shouldn't let him.

• Mike Herndon: Alabama should set sights high • Press-Register
Alabama athletic director Mal Moore met with the media Tuesday, a day after Mark Gottfried's abrupt departure from the Crimson Tide's basketball program, and the results were about the same as any other Mal Moore press conference — gracious, gentlemanly and largely bereft of insight. 

• Alabama's Philip Pearson thrown into fire for opener at Arkansas • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - Know this about Alabama's interim basketball coach Philip Pearson: He has been a head coach before. -

• Can Pearson steer Tide to potential? • The Huntsville Times
Interim coach leads Bama into Arkansas with road skid at 14 

• Tide coach debuts tonight • Montgomery Advertiser
As a player, he toiled in the shadows of Tommy Williams in high school and stars like James Robinson, Robert Horry and Latrell Sprewell in college.

• Tide faces first game under Pearson • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
TUSCALOOSA — It has been a long time since Alabama interim basketball coach Philip Pearson led his own team. 

• Bama, LSU offer top junior tight end • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Brian Vogler of the Brookstone School in Columbus, Georgia is one of the top junior tight ends in the country. The 6-7, 245-pounder has seven offers, including those he picked up this week when two of the nation's premier programs officially entered the race.

• Reid gets visit from Saban; set to announce on Tuesday • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"Yeah, Coach Saban came by to see me and it went real well. Coach Saban is great." 

• Keenan Allen delaying decision • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Keenan Allen, 2010 athlete from Greensboro-North Guilford, N.C., holds more than a handful of scholarship offers. He was on the verge of announcing a decision back in November, but he decided to go through the recruiting process a little longer. 

• A Q&A With Kaleb Eulls and Coach Williams • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
A Q&A with 2010 prospects Kaleb Eulls and his head coach Matt Williams.

• Michael Bowman set for NSD • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Four-star wide receiver to ink Feb. 4th.

• SunStateFootball.com Signing Day Predictions • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
With under one week until Signing Day, SunStateFootball.com predicts where the top remaining prospects are headed on signing day.

• Saban visits Reid • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With Alabama making an all-out effort to steal five-star athlete Greg Reid late, Tide Coach Nick Saban spent Wednesday evening in Reid's home pitching his case for UA. 

• Patterson sets decision time • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
For Patrick Patterson, the end of his frenetic recruitment is finally within sight. Check inside for the details on Patterson's announcements and his comments concerning Tide Coach Nick Saban's in-home visit ... 

• Patterson still hearing Tide's pitch • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
At this point, with Pat Patterson taking visit after visit to school after school, Alabama is just trying to stay as relevant as possible.

• Women's Tennis Downs Tulane 7-0 • RollTide.com
The women's tennis team won its second consecutive 7-0 decision when it swept Tulane Friday at the Hank Crisp Indoor Tennis Facility. With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 2-0 on the season, w... 

• Men's Basketball Set to Entertain Georgia Saturday • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's basketball team returns home to face the University of Georgia Saturday evening in Coleman Coliseum. Tipoff between the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs is scheduled for 6 ... 

• Men's Tennis Takes on Miami in Malibu • RollTide.com
The 24th-ranked men's tennis team hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Malibu, Calif., to compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's National Team Indoor Championship... 

• Volleyball Excels in the Classroom • RollTide.com
The volleyball team put forth great effort in the classroom as well as on the court this fall as a total of seven student-athletes earned better than a 3.0 GPA. 

• Defensive end chooses UA over LSU, Florida State • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama football program received a nice surprise Friday when the Crimson Tide added a new commitment prior to the weekend.

• Andrew Bone: Alabama adds Florida pass rusher • Tuscaloosa News
"Ed [Stinson] committed about thirty minutes ago," said South Dade Recruiting Coordinator John Herron. "He called coach [Nick] Saban to let him know about the news."

• Ian R. Rapoport: Time for another Alabama recruiting bonanza-rama... • al.com
Anyone else ready for National Signing Day to be here already? Surrrriooousssly. But, since it hasn't happened yet, and since you don't want to discuss other unimportant things like my recent discovery that shoeshines in the Birmingham Airport are far better than shoeshines in the Atlanta Airport, let's hit on a bunch of recruiting topics. 

• Gentry Estes: Hello from historic Barnhill Arena ... • al.com
So I stayed a second night in icy Fayetteville to get a brief break from the recent craziness and cover tonight's gymnastics meet between Alabama and Arkansas. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Alabama lands commitment No. 22: Ed Stinson • al.com
Alabama pulled a prospect out of south Florida today when defensive end/linebacker Ed Stinson committed to the Crimson Tide ahead of the local Miami Hurricanes.

• Is West still in Tide's plans? • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Back in July, the Tide received a commitment from Faith Academy corner Gerald West. For a while, the 5-10, 172-pound speedster seemed set on his intentions to sign with the Alabama. However, he never closed the door to other schools. 

• Saban offers top junior today • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
"My coach told me that Coach Saban wanted to talk to me. I got on the phone and Coach Saban told me that he wanted to offer me a scholarship to play at Alabama. I was real excited about it." 

• Patterson stays home for the weekend • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
5-star wide receiver will announce at 9 a.m. on Signing Day

• Random Stuff- Friday, January 30 • Crimson Country Club (Members Only)
The first Random Stuff of 2009!........................... GOD I have been bloated! 

• Recruiting 2009:
DE Ed Stinson commits  

• Tide lands a big one • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
South Dade athlete Ed Stinson narrowed his college choices down to Alabama and LSU a few weeks ago. After going back and forth between the two bitter SEC West rivals, Stinson, 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, finally came to a decision Friday afternoon.

• Early playing time lures top pass rusher to Bama • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
One of the biggest concerns for the Tide's 2009 recruiting class has been addressed. Alabama needed a big-time pass rusher. They got one. Today, highly-touted linebacker/defensive end Ed Stinson of Homestead-South Dade, FL spurned LSU for the Crimson Tide. 

• Bama lands pass-rushing specialist • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Alabama landed a highly coveted pass-rushing specialist for its 2009 signing class on Friday, as Florida standout Ed Stinson committed to the Crimson Tide.

• Ed Stinson commits to Alabama • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Ed Stinson, three-star defensive end from Homestead-South Dade, Fla., was scheduled to announce a decision next week. He decided to end the recruiting process before the weekend. 

• Ian R. Rapoport: Pass rusher Ed Stinson commits to Alabama • al.com
Hello from the Atlanta Airport, where we just learned about a little recruiting news. Alabama got another commitment, this time for a position of supreme need. 

• Sentimore to visit LSU • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
After weeks of maintaining that his commtiment to Alabama was on firm ground, Destrehan defensive tackle Darrington Sentimore is taking a late trip this weekend to LSU. Could the visit spell trouble for UA?

• Crimson Clubhouse: Big-timers set to announce on ESPN • Crimson Confidential
Some news out of ESPN land as we enter the final weekend before National Signing Day, which is Wednesday ... 

• Super Bowl XLIII Features Nine Former UA Players and Coaches • RollTide.com
Super Bowl XLIII will be played this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., and to no surprise the University of Alabama football program will be well-represented in this year's match-up b... 

• Baseball Team Opens Practice on Sunday • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama baseball team opens practice this Sunday, Feb. 1, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, the first official day of preseason practice according to NCAA rules.

• Gentry Estes: Super Bowl not short on ties to Crimson Tide • al.com
Dominating the Alabama beat right now: A very tumultous basketball week and the excitement, nervousness and speculation as fans count down to Wednesday's National Signing Day in football recruiting. As is often the case, the big national story hasn't made much of a dent.

• Doug Segrest: Coach:Trent Richardson still solid for Tide • al.com
Escambia coach Jimmy Nichols has seen a lot of coaches this week because of highly recruited running back Trent Richardson. 

• Men's Basketball:
Thursday Night: Arkansas 89, Alabama 80 - box score

• Bama in the NBA - January 29th Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Men's Basketball Falls to Razorbacks 89-80 • RollTide.com
The University of Alabama basketball team fell on the road to Arkansas 89-80 in interim head coach Phillip Pearson's debut Thursday night. Alabama trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half... 

• Tide already looking at 2010 recruiting class • Tuscaloosa News
The University of Alabama football coaching staff has hosted big weekends of official visitors during the month of January, but this weekend will bring in just one lone visitor making an official visit for the final weekend before next week's National Signing Day.

• Razorback freshman shreds Tide • Tuscaloosa News
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. | The more things change, the more they stay the same.

• Andrew Bone: Recruiting chat transcript • Tuscaloosa News
Chat transcript (1-28-09)

• Ian R. Rapoport: The Philip Pearson Era begins with a loss to Arkansas, 89-80 • al.com
Philip Pearson spoke in the raspy, hoarse voice of a guy who had been yelling at lot. As the new Alabama coach, after leading three days of practice and his first game, that's to be expected. 

• Gentry Estes: Tide falls to Razorbacks in Philip Pearson's debut • al.com
A mid-season regime change hasn't cured what is ailing Alabama's basketball team.

• Gentry Estes: An icy time in Arkansas ... • al.com
As if things haven't been difficult enough for Alabama's basketball team this week, the Tide had to travel into Fayetteville on Wednesday in the middle of a fairly serious ice storm.

• Kevin Scarbinsky: Gottfried won't fire back, but he plans to come back, coach again • al.com
Mark Gottfried has found himself in some strange places this week.

• Ray Melick: Moore can now define Tide basketball • The Birmingham News
Nobody is going to confuse Mal Moore for John Wooden. 

• Pearson Era begins with Alabama's loss to Arkansas, 89-80 • The Birmingham News
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Philip Pearson did not even purchase a new suit for the occasion. He simply moved over one seat on the bench and assumed his new position. 

• Steelers' Anthony Madison inspired by his Alabama roots • The Birmingham News
The small town of Thomasville will hold Anthony Madison Day in February to honor the special teams ace for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• Missouri coach Mike Anderson won't discuss Alabama job • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Missouri coach Mike Anderson declined to discuss his inclusion in the search to fill the Alabama basketball opening, but he did little to end speculation.

• An SEC school that needs Tubby • The Birmingham News
Reports persist about Alabama pursuing Tubby Smith for its new basketball coach. But he says he's not leaving Minnesota for the Tide job. And he said he's not a candidate for any other jobs.

• Tide looks to polish its floor routines • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Every season, there is one gymnastics event that demands more attention than the others, though it's not always immediately clear which one it is. 

• Tommy Hicks: SEC hoops struggling to succeed • Press-Register
One would hope SEC commissioner Mike Slive has enjoyed Florida's national championship in football and the fact his league won three straight national titles in the sport. 

• Alabama falls to Arkansas in coach Philip Pearson's debut • Press-Register
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A midseason coaching change hasn't cured what is ailing Alabama's basketball team. 

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Friday, January 30, 2009
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Gottfried takes in son's prep game • Press-Register
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried had plans to kick back and watch some basketball Thursday night. 

• Arkansas Snaps Skid With 89-80 Win Over Alabama • SEC Sports
Arkansas Snaps Skid With 89-80 Win Over Alabama

• Alabama to close out regular season at home Saturday • Crimson White
The Alabama swimming and diving teams close out their regular season Saturday, Jan. 31, at home with a tri-meet against Georgia and South Carolina starting at 11 a.m. in the Alabama Aquatic Center.

• Tide’s McLane makes early impact • Crimson White
The Alabama women’s tennis team kicked off the spring season last week with a strong performance at home against Chattanooga. The success has come in part because of the play of freshman Courtney McLane.

• Tide to compete at Adidas Classic • Crimson White
The Alabama women’s track and field team will compete at the Nebraska Adidas Classic in Lincoln, Neb. on Saturday. The meet being held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center will consist of five women’s teams, two of which are ranked.

• For Jenkins - basketball is close, family closer • Crimson White
To most people, Mt. Juliet is just another blip on the Tennessee map. Nestled midway between the busy east-west routes Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70, outlying the busy country music capital of Nashville, this small suburb, population 25,234, possesses no splendorous sights or luxurious tourist destinations. In point of fact, it’s really no different than a hundred other neighborhoods in outer appearance.

• Tide to take on No. 17 Miami • Crimson White
The men’s tennis team is traveling to Malibu, Calif., this weekend to play in the ITA Kick Off weekend, a 60-team tournament.

• Steele’s departure lethal for Tide • Crimson White
It was a little over two weeks ago that Alabama senior guard Ronald Steele elected to forgo the remainder of his senior season.

• BASKETBALL: Hogs get first SEC win at Tide's expense • Montgomery Advertiser
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Rotnei Clarke and Arkansas finally took advantage of the 3-point line.

• Tide ebbs in Arkansas • Decatur Daily  (Subscribers Only)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Rotnei Clarke and Arkansas finally took advantage of the 3-point line.

• 2009 Pre-Preseason Rankings - No. 1 to 10 • College Football News
You could probably guess most of the national title contenders going into 2009, but there are a few shockers in the mix, including Bruce Carter and a swarming, improved North Carolina team. Check out the very, very early look at the teams going into the off-season with the CFN Pre-Preseason ranking of the top ten teams.

• Lowndes All-America DB Greg Reid "unplugged" • AJC
Greg Reid, the AJC’s player of the year, might be the nation’s hottest college football prospect. Reid, a defensive back from Lowndes, was well known in Georgia circles but propelled himself onto the national stage with his MVP performance in...

• Marsalis Teague to announce NSD • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Marsalis Teague, four-star cornerback from Paris-Henry County, Tenn., is considered a commitment to the University of Florida. He has visited Alabama and Tennessee in January, and the Gators will try to hang on as we head to signing day. 

• Moore ready for decision • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With just one recruiting visit remaining on his agenda, Carver-Montgomery lineman Brandon Moore sees a light at the end of the tunnel with an announcement set for 11 a.m. on Signing Day.

• BOL Opinion: UA, UGA may dial same numbers • BamaOnLine
As Alabama's basketball coach search begins, so does that of another school in a similar situation. BOL's Chase Goodbread looks at the Crimson Tide's challenge as the gates open on hunting season for coaches.  

• Lacy poised to repay Saban for sticking by him • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
One college football coach stuck by Eddie Lacy through the good times and not-so-good times. And don’t think Lacy hasn’t forgotten.

• Tide road skid continues with 89-80 loss • Crimson Confidential
A coaching change and an opponent that was winless in Southeastern Conference play did nothing to shake Alabama from its road doldrums on Thursday. 

• Men's Basketball:
Alabama 75, Georgia 70 - box score

• Derrick Thomas Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame • RollTide.com
Alabama All-American Derrick Thomas has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the seventh former Crimson Tide star to be enshrined into the National Football League's elite group ... 

• Swimming and Diving Sweeps South Carolina on Senior Day • RollTide.com
The Alabama Swimming and Diving teams swept South Carolina on Senior Day in the Alabama Aquatic Center and fell to Georgia's men and women in the Crimson Tide's last meet of the regular season.

• BOL 2009 Rankings • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Since BOL's last version of the 2009 Alabama prospect rankings in July, prospects have had an entire senior season to showcase their improvement. After hours of evaluation, BOL is proud to present its final version of the 2009 prospect rankings for the state of Alabama. 

• Alabama commitment switches to Southern Miss • Tuscaloosa News
Gerald West, Scout.com three-star cornerback from Faith Academy in Mobile, will sign with Southern Miss instead of the University of Alabama next Wednesday on National Signing Day.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Former Alabama defensive standout Derrick Thomas ... • al.com
... posthumously elected to Hall of Fame
Very cool news today, a development that probably is long overdue. Former Alabama great Derrick Thomas was just elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

• Nation's No. 1 prep school prospect may not make UGA trip • AJC
Offensive lineman Bobby Massie of Hargrave, Va., who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 prospect from prep schools, had not shown up for his scheduled visit to Georgia, by Saturday afternoon. Also, two wide receiver prospects who had been...