Reports: Mike Shula Set to Be Hired by Alabama

Alabama is set to hire Mike Shula as its football coach, possibly as early as today, according to several reports.

The Birmingham News, ESPN Radio and The Miami Herald all reported that Alabama has settled on the former Crimson Tide quarterback and current Miami Dolphin assistant.

Shula, the son of former NFL coach Don Shula, was unavailable for comment Wednesday night, and Alabama spokesman Larry White declined comment.

Alabama fired Mike Price on Saturday after the first-year coach, already warned about his behavior, spent hundreds of dollars at a Pensacola, Fla., topless bar.

Alabama players left a meeting with university President Robert Witt and Athletic Director Mal Moore confident that they would have a new coach by the weekend -- and that he’d have worn the crimson and white jersey.

“They said we’d know something by Saturday -- definitely,” Justin Smiley said.

Sylvester Croom and Richard Williamson -- also former Tide players -- were the only others to have interviewed for the job. Witt and Moore didn’t meet with any candidates Tuesday or Wednesday.

The 37-year-old Shula has been an NFL assistant for 15 years. He has no head coaching experience.

Tennis

Dutch qualifier Martin Verkerk downed fifth-seeded Andy Roddick, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-4, in the second round of the Italian Open at Rome, a clay-court tuneup for the French Open.

In a match between two former Italian Open champions, second-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Spanish countryman Alex Corretja, 6-4, 6-4.

Third-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain, who won on clay in Barcelona last month, downed Max Mirnyi of Belarus, 6-4, 6-4.

Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated Mariano Zabaleta of Argentina, 7-6 (4), 6-2, to advance to the third round.

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Jennifer Capriati defeated Francesca Schiavone of Italy, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the third round of the German Open at Berlin.

In other matches, top-seeded Kim Clijsters beat Emille Loit, 6-4, 6-2, Amelie Mauresmo defeated Jelena Kostanic, 6-1, 6-4, Jelena Dokic struggled past Marlene Weingartner, 7-6 (5), 6-4, and Nathalie Dechy beat Maja Matevzic, 6-4, 6-2.

Jurisprudence

Former Dallas Cowboy star Erik Williams was charged with attacking his wife at their home outside Philadelphia.

Williams, 34, a four-time Pro Bowl player, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of simple assault and harassment and released on $7,500 bail.

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New Orleans Saint draft pick Talman Gardner was sentenced to a year of probation and 250 hours of community service at Tallahassee, Fla., after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and having a concealed, loaded handgun.

College Basketball

San Diego State forward Evan Burns needs surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee and could miss up to half of next season.

Burns, the Mountain West Conference freshman of the year last season, was hurt during a pickup basketball game on campus Saturday.

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An NCAA infractions committee will release the findings today of its investigation into the scandal involving a former Michigan booster.

Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin, university President Mary Sue Coleman and Coach Tommy Amaker were part of a delegation from Michigan that answered questions from the committee in February.

Before the season started, Michigan announced self-imposed sanctions, including a ban on postseason play, stemming from the investigation involving now-deceased ex-booster Ed Martin.

Ed Martin admitted giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to former Michigan basketball players while they were in high school and college.

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Juniors Arthur Johnson and Rickey Paulding, Missouri’s top two scorers, said they will return for their senior seasons.... New Mexico guard Mark Walters tore a ligament in his left knee during a non-contact workout. Recovery time is expected to be at least three months.

Hockey

P.J. Axelsson scored with 4:54 to play as Sweden rallied from a 5-1 deficit to beat Finland, 6-5, to advance to the semifinals of the World Hockey Championships at Helsinki, Finland.

Sweden will play defending champion Slovakia on Friday. Slovakia beat Switzerland, 3-1.

In Turku, Finland, Olympic champion Canada advanced with a 3-2 victory over Germany, on Eric Brewer’s goal 37 seconds into overtime.

The Canadians will play the Czech Republic, which beat Russia, 3-0, in the other quarterfinal.

College Football

Former Navy coach Charlie Weatherbie was hired to lead Louisiana Monroe.

Weatherbie replaces Mike Collins, who resigned last month after he was arrested and charged with drunken driving.