TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Four months after it started, the Mike Price era came to a close Saturday. Price, 57, was fired by University of Alabama president Dr. Robert Witt for not meeting "the responsibility of all university officers to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with university policy," according to Witt.

"His mistake has severely hurt our university, and will hurt our university for years to come," said Witt of Price. "To be selected for a leadership position at the University of Alabama is an honor and a responsibility.

"When you accept the honor, you accept the responsibility."

Many in attendance, including current Tide players, said Price deserved a second chance. Witt said Price had already gotten that, and his conduct in Florida was not a first offense. Price allegedly visited a strip club in Pensacola, and then paid a $1,000 room service bill run up by a woman in his suite while he was on the golf course.

"Coach Price had been warned several weeks before about his public conduct," Witt said, referring to a meeting Price had with director of athletics Mal Moore prior to Price's ill-fated golf outing in Pensacola. "His conduct in Florida was not consistent with the warning he received."

Bartenders in at least one Tuscaloosa establishment reported in several state newspapers that Price was a regular customer and drank each time he dined there.

"This is a sad day for a good man," Witt said. "This is a sad day for some wonderful football players. This is a sad day for us."

An emotional Price disagreed vehemently with the decision of his boss.

"I asked Dr. Witt for a second chance, and he declined, said Price. "I really felt like this was an opportunity for the university to stand up, and stand behind me.

"Whatever happened to giving someone a second chance?" Price asked. "I don't think the punishment meets the crime."

"I admit making mistakes, and, at times, inappropriate conduct," Price said. "I pledge to everyone to improve certain areas of my personal life."

Price left Washington State, his alma mater, to take the Alabama job in December after the sudden departure of Dennis Franchione to Texas A&M.

"I just hate it so bad for coach Price," said Moore immediately after Witt's announcement. "He is a good man. Its very hard to describe. He's very hurt.

"Its very hard to take and to accept, because I think so much of coach Price."

Moore met with the team and assistant coaches following the announcement, and is preparing for yet another coaching search at his alma mater. Witt said there is no truth to the rumor that former Tide coach Gene Stallings would be brought in to lead the program. Names that have surfaced, according to various reports, are Oklahoma State head coach Les Miles and former Jacksonville Jaguars and Boston College boss Tom Coughlin, who is currently not in coaching.

"I will meet with Dr. Witt in the morning," said Moore of the new search. "We will get underway, and this will be handled as quickly as possible. I'm certain, that, because of the situation and the closeness of the season, that the president will be involved with me. We've got to move quickly. We recognize that, to make a difference for our players."

The day began with the opening of a meeting between Witt and the university's Board of Trustees Athletic Oversight committee. Committee chairman Angus Cooper opened the floor to anyone who wanted to make a statement before the group went into executive session to discuss the good name and reputation of the school's head coach. Tide players Brodie Croyle, Wesley Britt and Shaud Wiliams made impassioned pleas for their coach's job. Tide assistants Eric and Aaron Price, the head coach's sons, also spoke on their dad's behalf, as did fan Scott Currier of Tuscaloosa. Mike Price and his wife, Joyce, also attended that portion of the meeting.

The committee then met behind closed doors for two hours, and Cooper told media from around the state of Alabama, Atlanta, and the New York Times that Witt would announce his final decision an hour later.

Tide players were none too happy with that decision.

"He made a mistake," Croyle said. "Everyone in this room has made mistakes. I've made plenty of mistakes in my life. The best thing about is, all of us have been given a second chance. Its a shame he didn't get one."

"Its really frustrating," Britt said, referring to meetings around 20 Tide players had with Witt to throw support behind Price. "It just seems like our opinions weren't taken under consideration."

"Has he ever went to war with somebody?" a tearful Williams said of Witt. "Has he sweated and bled with somebody?"

There is no word yet on the future of Price's coaching staff, which, like him, has only been on the job for four months.

"Coach Mike Price has been dismissed as head football coach of The University of Alabama. His dismissal has been a difficult, but necessary, decision. I am confident that this decision is in the best interest of our University and the long-term future of our football program.

Coach Price's behavior has affected careers and lives - not only his own but also his players. My greatest regret regarding this sad and unfortunate situation is that our student athletes, who bear no responsibility, will once again have to endure another disappointment and hardship. They deserved better from those who preceded Coach Price and from Coach Price.

A leadership position at The University of Alabama is a position of great honor and responsibility. When you accept the honor, you also accept the responsibility. That responsibility includes conducting your life in accord with appropriate standards of professional and personal conduct. Coach Price did not meet this responsibility despite being warned about his public behavior before the incidents in Pensacola, Florida occurred.

Today we affirm the values of our University, and we begin the process of moving forward. I will do everything in my power to make this transition as easy as possible for our student athletes and our football program. We will initiate the search process for a new coach immediately."

Statement from Mal Moore:

"Now that this issue is behind us, it is imperative that we turn our attention to the players who have had to endure so much. Our charge now is to bring in a coach who can lead this team and we will immediately begin that process. "