Close To Done Deal

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Alabama President Robert Witt said he

expects athletic director Mal Moore to receive a contract extension

before his current deal expires.

"Coach Mal Moore has done an outstanding job as UA's athletic

director," Witt said in a statement Friday. "I fully expect that

a new contract will be in place before the current one expires in

June 2011."

The statement came after the Mobile Press-Register reported that

Alabama was in discussions about extending Moore's contract,

possibly through 2014.

Moore's current $425,000-a-year contract expires June 30, 2011.

He received a raise and one-year extension in 2008, the year after

he hired Nick Saban as football coach.

Moore has presided over more than $200 million in facility

upgrades for football, basketball and baseball as well as other

programs. Bryant-Denny Stadium will be one of the five biggest in

college football when the season opens after its latest expansion.

Saban also led the Crimson Tide's football team to its first

national title since 1992 last season.

The building that houses the football offices is named the Mal

M. Moore Athletic Facility.

Alabama's athletic director since 1999, Moore played and coached

under Bear Bryant. He has been part of 14 SEC champions and all

seven AP national titles dating back to 1961.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)