Troubling behavior?

Despite rumors, 'Bama officials say no plans to punish Price

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- The University of Alabama has no immediate plans to discipline football coach Mike Price about his appearance two weeks ago at a Pensacola, Fla., golf tournament, Alabama President Robert Witt said.

Newspaper and broadcast reports Tuesday said Price met at least twice with athletic director Mal Moore last weekend amid Internet-based rumors of inappropriate public behavior. There were no reports on what they discussed. Moore hired Price last year after Dennis Franchione left for Texas A&M.

Witt said on Tuesday that "at present there are no plans to do anything" involving disciplinary measures.

Witt met briefly with reporters Tuesday after speaking at a Rotary Club luncheon at a Tuscaloosa golf course. He would not say if he had spoken with either Price or Moore about the incident.

"As far as I know there are a lot of rumors out there," Witt said. "I don't think I've ever seen a rumor mill working quite so rapidly."

Newspaper reports said Price was in Pensacola to play in a pro-am tournament at The Emerald Coast Classic, a PGA Champions Tour event held two weeks ago at Moors Golf Club near Milton, Fla. A party preceded the round.

Price told The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash., Tuesday night that he didn't know if his job was in jeopardy.

"Hopefully, the university will release a statement and this will be over," said Price. "Sometimes people make mistakes. I really can't say anything until the university makes a statement."

UA System trustee John H. England said Witt and UA chancellor Malcolm Portera contacted him last weekend about a situation involving Price.

England said he did not know the details, but was told the trustees were being notified in case any action needs to be taken against Price.

Spokesman Larry White said Price still plans to play in a pro-am event at the Bruno's Memorial Classic Wednesday. He skipped a pre-round party scheduled for Tuesday night.

Price, hired in December after 14 seasons at Washington State, agreed in principle to a seven-year deal worth about $10 million when he was hired, but the contract has not been signed.