The University of Alabama Board of Trustees unanimously approved the hiring of Bill Battle as the new athletic director, setting out a four-year, $620,000 contract during a Friday morning teleconference. He replaces Mal Moore, who held the same position since 1999 and stepped down on Tuesday amid health concerns. Battle, who was introduced to the media shortly after the hiring became official, said he didn't want the job at first. When the 71-year-old former Crimson Tide football player and Tennessee Volunteers head coach got the call offering him the post as the Alabama's next athletic director, he didn't know what to think.
