Alabama Sports

• Tide's Steele gets his shot against Tigers
TUSCALOOSA ? Of all the bitter moments that accompanied a rare redshirt year as a senior, this one might have been the worst for Alabama point guard Ronald Steele.

• A bright future: Alabama looks to a stable of capable quarterbacks in the spring
TUSCALOOSA ? Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has plans.

• Alabama's Andre Smith enters draft
TUSCALOOSA ? Amid controversy and suspension, junior Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith ended his playing career at Alabama on Saturday night by formally declaring for the 2009 NFL draft.

• Sugar Bowl a sour finale for Alabama
TUSCALOOSA ? The skies darkened and rain poured Saturday afternoon all the way from New Orleans to the Alabama state line, matching the majority of moods headed that direction.

• Sugar Bowl surprise: Utah caps undefeated season with victory over Tide
NEW ORLEANS ? Somewhere between domes, from a hard-fought defeat in Atlanta to an uninspired one on the bayou, Alabama's football team lost what made this season so special.

• Offensive line losses hamper Alabama's offense in Sugar Bowl defeat
NEW ORLEANS ? The last time Alabama played a game without star left tackle Andre Smith, the Crimson Tide sputtered to 172 total yards in a lackluster 20-6 win over Tulane.

• RECRUITING CORNER: Alabama recruits in all-star events
NEW ORLEANS ? Just because Alabama's season ended Friday night in the Superdome doesn't mean it's time for Crimson Tide fans to go into football withdrawal.

• Tide gears up for SEC with pair of ACC foes: Georgia Tech and Clemson round out non-conference slate
The new year has brought newer, tougher challenges for Alabama's basketball team.

• Tide gears up for SEC with pair of ACC foes: Georgia Tech and Clemson round out non-conference slate
The new year has brought newer, tougher challenges for Alabama's basketball team.

• FinalPrize: Saban preaches caution as heavily favored Bama looks to cap outstanding season against Utah tonight

• Notebook: Alabama coach Nick Saban not worried about possible staff changes
NEW ORLEANS ? Barring a last-minute change of heart, Alabama defensive head coach Kevin Steele will be announced as the new defensive coordinator at Clemson as early as this weekend, multiple sources told the Press-Register.

• Alabama's investigation of Andre Smith 'not an NCAA matter'
NEW ORLEANS ? The NCAA is not pursuing any action in the situation that led the University of Alabama to suspend star left tackle Andre Smith for Friday night's Sugar Bowl.

• Mike Johnson shifts to tackle, David Ross in at guard on Alabama line for Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS ? Alabama junior Mike Johnson played left tackle in high school. He also played it for one game earlier this season.

• Alabama notebook: former St. Paul's standout, Mark Barron, heads trio of suitors to replace Rashad Johnson at safety
Former St. Paul's standout Mark Barron will be in the competition to replace Alabama's departing All-American free safety Rashad Johnson, Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart said Tuesday.

• Get Smart: First-year Tide defensive coordinator tabbed as 'next Will Muschamp'
NEW ORLEANS ? When it comes to the Sugar Bowl, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart knows this: He's glad he'll be on the sidelines Friday night.

• University of Alabama star offensive lineman Andre Smith suspended for Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS ? Around 11 a.m. Monday, Alabama's players filtered into a team meeting unaware of startling news about to change their Sugar Bowl experience.

• Steele in line at Clemson
NEW ORLEANS ? Alabama defensive head coach Kevin Steele is at the front of the line to become the next defensive coordinator at Clemson in a deal that could be finalized in the next week.

• Utah coach Kyle Whittingham makes name for himself
NEW ORLEANS ? A complimentary sports utility vehicle pulled to the curb and unloaded an entire posse for one man.

• ALABAMA NOTEBOOK. Crimson Tide tailback Roy Upchurch recovering after neck surgery
NEW ORLEANS ? Alabama junior tailback Roy Upchurch appears to be on a path to recover by next season. His rehabilitation from neck surgery "is going extremely well," said Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.

• Alabama assistant coach Burton Burns returns home for Sugar Bowl with Tide
NEW ORLEANS ? He'd barely outlast one handshake and conversation Saturday before feeling another pat on the back that turned into a meaningful embrace.

• ALABAMA NOTEOOK: Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban in familiar territory for Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS ? Alabama coach Nick Saban walked through the lobby of the Riverside Hilton with a smile based in familiarity.

• Tide continues quest to improve
A run of six wins in seven games hasn't meant much in the overall goal of Alabama's basketball season.

• Utah's Louie Sakoda -- king of kickers -- to face Alabama in Sugar Bowl
Louie Sakoda wants to change what you may think about the role of a place-kicker on a football team.

• Tide spoils include longer break
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer doesn't want to complain about a Christmas present.

• Tide too much for the Mocs
TUSCALOOSA — Christmas tunes bounced off empty seats at Coleman Coliseum on Monday night, signs of a deserted campus, not just a recently struggling basketball team.

• Crimson Tide glad to be off for Christmas
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama linebacker Cory Reamer doesn't want to complain about a Christmas present.

• Head of the class
TUSCALOOSA ? The Associated Press named Alabama's Nick Saban as its national coach of the year Tuesday, making him a genuine $4 million man.