Alabama working on contract extension for Shula

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama athletic director Mal Moore plans to discuss a contract extension for football coach Mike Shula soon.<br> <br> Shula&#39;s six-year, $900,000-per-year contract runs through Jan. 31, 2009 and calls for the deal to be reviewed before the end of 2005.<br> <br> ``This is the year in his contract that says we will review it, and we have talked maybe four times about doing it,&#39;&#39; Moore told The Tuscaloosa News at the Southeastern Conference spring meetings in Destin, Fla. ``We just need to sit down and do it this coming week.<br> <br> ``I sure hope it won&#39;t be difficult. It won&#39;t be on my part, and I hope it is not on his.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Shula said that Moore approached him about the review and they have ``sat down casually and talked about setting up a time to meet on that.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Moore told The Huntsville Times he expected to finish the review by the end of August with the hopes of agreeing to an extension.<br> <br> Without an extension, Shula would be left recruiting with only three years left on his contract, something some rival schools might use in recruiting against Alabama.<br> <br> ``However you answer that question, it may look like I am trying to look for a new contract and that I am trying to create a stance in the media, which I am not,&#39;&#39; Shula said. ``I know that Coach Moore brought it up to me, and we will sit down and talk about it ... I don&#39;t know if other schools do that kind of recruiting, though. I know we don&#39;t do it.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Shula has posted records of 4-9 and 6-6 in two seasons at his alma mater after taking over a program saddled with NCAA sanctions and the offseason firing of Mike Price.<br> <br> Shula said both Moore and Alabama President Robert Witt have been nothing but supportive for the job he has done.<br> <br> ``The support I have gotten has been unbelievable,&#39;&#39; Shula said. ``In my opinion, it has been unquestionable from Coach Moore and Dr. Witt and everybody. It has been great.<br> <br> ``As far as what I think about a honeymoon period, I went into this with the mindset that there was no honeymoon period.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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