Rodriguez decides to stay at West Virginia

West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez turned down Alabama on Friday, telling his players that he’ll be back for his sixth season with the Mountaineers.

“Obviously I’m very excited to stay here and I plan on being here a long time,” Rodriguez said at a news conference.

Rodriguez will receive a two-year contract extension through the 2014 season.

Alabama officials offered the job to Rodriguez on Thursday morning, but the answer didn’t come until more than 24 hours later. Alabama reportedly offered him a $12-million, six-year contract.

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North Carolina State completed a quick search for a football coach by hiring Tom O’Brien away from Boston College.

O’Brien coached the Eagles for 10 years, compiling a 75-45 record. This season they are 9-3 and will play in the Meineke Bowl against Navy on Dec. 30, though O’Brien will not coach there.

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Oklahoma tailback Adrian Peterson returned to the Sooners after team doctors gave him the OK to practice and play in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State on Jan. 1. He has been out since breaking his collarbone Oct. 14 against Iowa State.... Randy Shannon, a former Miami linebacker and its defensive coordinator since 2001, was introduced at a news conference as the Hurricanes’ new coach, replacing Larry Coker.... Florida State fullback Joe Surratt, who leads the Seminoles in rushing touchdowns with six, underwent surgery on his right shoulder and will not play in the Dec. 27 Emerald Bowl against UCLA.... The NCAA suspended Indiana State Coach Lou West for one game next season for using an ineligible player in three games. The ruling lets the Sycamores keep the Oct. 21 victory over Missouri State that ended what had been the longest NCAA Division I-AA losing streak at 24 games.