University of Alabama coach Paul Bryant and his star quarterback Joe Namath (12) discuss plans at a practice session before the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., in December, 1964. (AP Photo)

University of Alabama coach Paul Bryant puts his arm around his star quarterback Joe Namath in the dressing room after losing to Texas in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., Jan. 1, 1965. Alabama lost 21 to 17. (AP Photo)

Alabama quarterback Joe Namath, right, signs his football contract in Miami Beach, Fl. on Jan. 2, 1965. Standing next to Namath is New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin, and seated is New York Jets coach Weeb Ewbank. (AP Photo)

Penn State's Mike Gunman (24) is stopped by the Alabama defense on fourth down and less than a yard to score in the final quarter of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, La., Monday, Jan. 1, 1979. The score would have tied the game. Alabama players from left are, Murray Legg (19), Barry Krauss (77), Rich Wingo (36) and E.J. Junior (39). Kras was named MVP of the game. (AP Photo)

Paul "Bear" Bryant, University of Alabama football coach, wears his usual hat during a football game in Sept. 1980 at an unknown location. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway Jr.)

Paul "Bear" Bryant, head coach of the University of Alabama football team, is shown in Sept. 1980. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway Jr.)

College football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, wearing black coat, observes his team Alabama Crimson Tide after they defeated Illinois 21-15 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 1982. Bryant announced last week that he was retiring after this game, which marks his 323rd victory. (AP Photo)

Alabama head football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant is flanked by comedian Bob Hope, left, and Rev. Billy Graham, right, during a reception and dinner held in his honor, in Washington, D.C., Monday, March 8, 1982. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

Members of the 1982 football team carry the casket of Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant from the Tuscaloosa First Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, Jan. 29, 1983. Behind the casket is present Alabama coach Ray Perkins, his wife Carolyn and son Mike. Place kicker Peter Kim is at top right. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway Jr.)

This is a Dec. 30, 1992 file photo of Alabama coach Gene Stallings walking with his son Johnny through the endzone of the Louisiana Superdome as the Crimson Tide prepared for Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama beat Miami and won the national championship, but a few hours later defensive back Antonio Langham signed with an agent, eventually landing the Crimson Tide on probation. An NCAA committee sided with Alabama on Thursday, Nov. 30, 1995 in its appeal of the penalties, eliminating a third year of probation and restoring nine scholarships. Stallings has said for weeks he is not sure if he will return for a seventh season. Some cite the health of his son Johnny who suffers from Down's Syndrome, as a factor in his decision. (AP Photo)

Alabama running back Sherman Williams (20) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Miami defends during second quarter action in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, in this January 1, 1993 photo. Alabama's Steve Busky (83) is in the background. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

Alabama running back Sherman Williams (20) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Miami in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, in this January 1, 1993 photo. Teammates from left are; Steve Busky, Craig Harris and Roosevelt Patterson. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

This is a 1996 file photo of Alabama coach Gene Stallings, who has announced he will retire at the end of this year. In seven years as head coach at Alabama, he won a national championship and has a .817 winning percentage, second only to legend Bear Bryant. (AP Photo/File)

Retiring Alabama coach Gene Stallings is carried on the field after his team beat Mighigan, 17-14, to win the Outback Bowl at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1997. (AP Photo/Scott Martin)

Alabama head football coach Mike DuBose reacts following the Crimson Tide's first score of the season against Houston at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, Aug. 30, 1997. DuBose replaced the retired Gene Stallings at the conclusion of the 1996 season. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Alabama running back Shaun Alexander points to skyward after scoring a touchdown in overtime against No. 3 Florida Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999 in Gainesville, Fla. No. 21. Alabama upset Florida 40-39. Once considered a long shot for the Heisman Trophy, Alabama tailback Shaun Alexander is suddenly very much in the picture. (AP Photo/Don Frazier)

Alabama's Chris Samuels tals after receiving the Outland Trophy in Omaha, Neb. Wednesday Jan 12, 2000. Samuels is the first Alabama player to win the trophy. (AP Photo/Eric Francis)

Former Alabama football coach Dennis Franchione smiles as he arrives in College Station, Texas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002. Franchione is leaving Alabama to become the head coach at Texas A&M. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Alabama coach Mike Shula patrols the sidelines in the first quarter against South Florida at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003. Shula is in his first year as head coach at Alabama. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Alabama's Tyrone Prothro turns the corner past Kentucky kicker Sevin Sucurovic on his way to a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second half Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, in Lexington, Ky. Alabama won, 45-17. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Alabama kicker Jamie Christensen kicks the game-winning field goal to give them a 6-3 win over Tennessee during their game Saturday Oct. 22, 2005, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Holding for Christensen is Trent Dean. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle. left, and linebacker DeMeco Ryans celebrate beating Texas Tech in the Cotton bowl football game 13-10 Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Alabama coach Mike Shula reacts to beating Texas Tech 13-10 in the Cotton Bowl football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)