Alabama Given Permission To Talk To Coach Butch Davis

Nov. 25, 2000

MIAMI (AP) – Miami athletic director Paul Dee said Saturday night that hehas given Alabama permission to talk with Hurricanes coach Butch Davis.

Dee also said he has offered Davis an extension to his current contract,which has three years remaining. Dee would not divulge the terms of thecontract proposal.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep him,” Dee told the Palm Beach Postfor Sunday’s editions. “The ball is in his court. We’ll see what he wants todo.”

Alabama athletic director Mal Moore called Dee late last week, Dee said,asking to speak with Davis about the Crimson Tide’s coaching vacancy.

Mike DuBose was told last month that he would not be brought back for afifth season. The Tide finished 3-8, their worst record since 1957, after beingranked as high as No. 3 in preseason polls.

Dee said he did not think Alabama had contacted Davis yet, but he expectedthat to happen this week. Davis has repeatedly denied having had any contactwith Alabama officials.

“We’re hoping he says no,” Dee said.

According to Miami officials, Davis will not be “on the grounds” of theuniversity on Sunday and Monday. They refused to say where Davis would be.

Davis, 49, is in his fourth year of a seven-year deal that pays him about$900,000 annually.