Alabama extends Mike Shula's contract

TUSCALOOSA, Ala., June 28 (UPI) -- The University of Alabama extended football Coach Mike Shula's contract by a year, covering him through the 2009 season.

Shula, who is receiving $900,000 annually, now has a contract through January 31, 2010.

Shula, 40, was hired by the school as its head football coach on May 8, 2003. The Crimson Tide went 6-6 this past season and 4-9 in 2003. Alabama lost to Minnesota in the 2004 Music City Bowl.

Shula, son of famed former NFL coach Don Shula, got the Alabama coaching position after Mike Price was fired.

Price, who never coached a game for the Crimson Tide, came under fire after it was reported that he was drinking heavily while at a strip club in Pensacola, Fla.

Alabama was placed under NCAA sanctions for two years for recruiting violations.