Alabama’s DuBose Is Rewarded

Alabama Coach Mike DuBose was given a contract extension Tuesday, five months after he was nearly fired in a sexual harassment scandal. The university trustees’ Compensation Committee approved the extension, reportedly for two years through 2002.

Trustees secretary John Hicks said no details of the extension would be released until university officials had a chance to talk with DuBose, who is in Miami preparing for the Orange Bowl on Saturday.

“I do not see any type of problems with it,” DuBose said. “It’s just a matter of formalizing it. I am encouraged, I do feel good about it. I would anticipate in the next few days to get it finalized.”

The contract extension will restore time stripped away as punishment following a sexual harassment scandal last summer. The two years had previously been given to DuBose last January, then taken away after the scandal.

Hicks said the extension was recommended by President Andrew Sorensen and approved by the athletic oversight committee.

The committee was created when trustees weren’t informed about the university’s settlement with a female worker who accused DuBose of sexual harassment. The school agreed to pay the woman $350,000 to avoid a court fight.

DuBose initially denied any involvement with the woman, and some trustees felt he should have been fired when he later admitted lying about the relationship. But the coach quickly regained support as the Crimson Tide went 10-2, earned the No. 5 national ranking, won the Southeastern Conference title and earned the bowl berth against No. 8 Michigan.