(posted 5/3/03)
Alabama Football Head Coach Mike Price Fired

Stability continues to elude the Alabama football program. University president Robert Witt terminated the employment of head football coach Mike Price for failing to conduct his "personal and professional life in a manner consistent with University policy." The dismissal came after a lengthy closed door meeting with the Board of Trustees Athletics committee. On this page, you can read a transcript of comments from President Robert Witt. You can also read comments from former coach Mike Price and some of players including Brodie Croyle, Shaud Williams, Wesley Britt, Triandos Luke and Charlie Peprah ...

Dr. Robert Witt - Coach Mike Price is a great coach and a good man. He is a man who has made a mistake that he deeply regrets. His mistake has severely hurt our University, and will hurt our University for years to come. To be selected for a leadership position at the University of Alabama is an honor and a responsibility. And when you accept the honor, your accept the responsibility. And that responsibility includes conducting your personal and professional life in a manner consistent with University policies. My greatest regret today is for a group of young men that I've only recently had an opportunity to meet personally ... our football players. They bear no responsibility for the situation this University is in, but who will once again will have to endure a period of uncertainty. The Trustees of this University have charged me with the responsibility to make decisions I believe best serve the interests of the University. I greatly appreciate the advice and counsel I have received from members of the Board of Trustees Athletics Committee today and in recent days. I am today in accordance with applicable University policy terminating Coach Price's employment. That concludes my comments, if there are questions ...

Press pool - Had you and athletics director Mal Moore had previous meetings with Coach Price a given him a warning about his social behavior away from the football program, and did he violate your trust a second time?

Coach Price had been warned several weeks before about his public conduct. His conduct in Florida was not consistent with the warning he received.

Was the Board unanimous in its decision to terminate Price's employment at the University?

The role of the Athletics Committee and the other Board members in the room with me is to provide advice and counsel, which they did.

What will happen now?

This afternoon, athletics director Mal Moore will meet with the team and coaches. He and I are scheduled to meeting tomorrow morning and immediate begin the process of recruiting a new head football coach.

There are rumors of Coach Stallings coming back. Is this true?

I have heard that rumor. There is no truth to it.

We saw earlier today the players' support and others support for Coach Price. What effect did that have on you?

I think the support received for Coach Price from his players and from other people in the athletic community show the high regard for which he is held. This situation is not about high regard. It's not about past performance. It is not about the single mistake. It is about the responsibility of all University officers to conduct themselves in all times in a manner consistent with University policy. This is a sad day for a good man. This is a sad day for some wonderful football players. This is a sad day for us.

Dr. Witt, you spent the past couple of week investigating the conduct of Coach Price. Can you tell us what that investigation found?

Based on my review of the situation, I concluded that what happened in Florida was not consistent with University policy concerning the conduct of University officials.

Will you name an interim coach while you search for a permanent replacement?

Mal Moore will play a leadership role during the transition. I'm not certain it will be necessary to name an interim coach. I am very optimistic we will be announcing in the near future a permanent coach.

Are there any names on a short list?

I think it would be premature at this point to speculate on who will and won't be on the list.

Was it a tough choice for you knowing that changing coaches affects next season, but not changing coaches may affect the team three, four or five years down the road?

It was difficult thinking about the impact of this decision on the near term, but that was not the most difficult issue I wrestled with. The two most difficult issues for me personally were that this decision involves the life and career of a good man and his family. But more importantly, this decision involves the best interest of this University in the long term.

What will happen with the existing staff. Will some of them stay on with the University?

No decisions have been made on that. I am optimistic that several of the coaches will elect to remain with us.

(question inaudible)

Athletic director Mal Moore spoke with Coach Price several weeks ago regarding his public conduct. That is the warning I am referring to.

Did Coach Price's behavior involve breaking any laws?

To the best of my knowledge, no.

Can you comment on the legalities of Price's contract not being signed? Is there some sort of compensation due for his being let go?

There has been no discussion of severance.

What impact does this have on the program itself? Are you concerned about the program?

I'm concerned about the program. I'm even more concerned about the players. I am hopeful the rich tradition of football at this University and all it has come to mean to the University and to our state will cause those young men to remain and to play in the coming season for our new coach.

Considering the continuing problems with the football program, is Mal Moore's job in jeopardy?

Mal Moore's job is not in jeopardy.

Do you have any plans to offer counsel to the players (question inaudible)

Immediately after this session breaks, Mal Moore will be going to meet with all available players to help them through this very difficult transition. Thank you.

read comments from ...

University President Dr. Robert Witt

Mike Price

Brodie Croyle, Wesley Britt, Shaud Williams, Triandos Luke, Charlie Peprah

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