DuBose Resigning as Alabama Coach

Alabama Coach Mike DuBose will resign at the end of the season, ending four turbulent seasons.

DuBose met with the team Wednesday afternoon after working out details of the resignation agreement with Athletic Director Mal Moore.

“It was very emotional,” defensive end Kenny King said. “The head coach, assistant coaches and players were very emotional, and tears were shed.”

Defensive tackle Jarret Johnson said DuBose was subdued in practice, which was closed to the media.

“You could just tell it hurt really, really bad,” Johnson said. “He tried to get in there and be himself, but he was too emotional.”

DuBose, who has a 24-20 record, did not attend the news conference announcing his resignation.

Alabama (3-5) needs victories in its final three games to make the Southeastern Conference championship game and stay alive to qualify for a bowl game, which DuBose would coach.

Moore, who said he would pick a successor without a search committee, is seeking an experienced head coach.

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Michael Vick, recuperating from a sprained right ankle suffered in the victory against Pittsburgh, sat out No. 2 Virginia Tech’s practice, the deadline he set for expecting to start Saturday at No. 3 Miami, but still hasn’t been ruled out as the starter. “We haven’t named a starting quarterback yet,” Coach Frank Beamer said. “We’re planning on Dave Meyer being our quarterback, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Penn State defensive back Adam Taliaferro might be able to walk out of a rehabilitation center when discharged in about two months, his doctor said. Taliaferro was unable to move his fingers or legs after he injured his neck making a tackle during Penn State’s 45-6 loss at Ohio State. “He’s movin’, he’s groovin’, he’s going to be on his way back,” Taliaferro’s grinning father, Andre, said.

Tennessee guard Will Ofenheusle, accused of dirty play for the second time this season, could face disciplinary action from the SEC. South Carolina nose guard Cleveland Pinkney accused Ofenheusle of diving for his left ankle from behind and later throwing an illegal chop block during Tennessee’s 17-14 victory. Georgia defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and Richard Seymour made similar complaints after the Bulldogs’ 21-10 victory over the Volunteers last month.

Florida State receiver Robert Morgan will miss the No. 4 Seminoles’ game against No. 10 Clemson after breaking the big toe on his left foot in practice. . . . Idaho Coach Tom Cable has kicked receiver Jeffrey Townsley off the team and suspended cornerbacks Cleavon Bradshaw and Duval Seamster for Saturday’s game at North Texas after the players violated team rules.