New Coach?

I think it's almost official. Fox 6 and the Birmingham News report that Rich Rodriguez has accepted the Bama job, as of 8:36.

Thursday, 07 Dec 2006, 8:36 PM CST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC-TV) -- West Virginia head football coach Rich Rodriguez has accepted a job offer from the University of Alabama to become its next head football coach, according to reports.

The Birmingham News reported online Thursday night that, according to sources close to the University of Alabama, Rodriguez accepted -- in principle, the job offer.

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Articles from Friday 12/8/06:

Bama Strikes it Rich - Mobile Register 12/8/06

Rodriguez agrees in principle to coach UA - WVVA Bluefield, WV

CBS seeks candidates to replace Rodriguez - CNS News

Tide lands Rodriguez for salary of $2 million - Huntsville Times

Tide's hire points to scoreboard - Huntsville Times

Rodriguez deal expected, Cecil Hurt - Tuscaloosa News

And here is a contradictory article from WV:

Rich, Alabama still talking - Charleston, WV Gazette

Another note: As of 1:10 p.m. WJOX 690 out of Birmingham interviewed a member of the WV media who stated that Alabama has given Rodriguez a 2:00 p.m. CT deadline to either accept or reject the offer. The reporter stated that Coach Rod is meeting with WV officials to discuss a possible counter offer. It was also reported that this afternoon Coach Rod will meet with his team and let them know whether he intends to stay or go. The drama continues. More to come...

Negotiations continue between Rodriguez, WVU

http://westvirginia.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=617122 Vernon Bailey -WVSports.com PublisherWest Virginia University officials continue to work through negotiations with head football coach Rich Rodriguez on Friday morning, according to sources close to the situation.Rodriguez is currently considering an offer from Alabama after the Crimson Tide fired former coach Mike Shula on November 26. Rodriguez has acknowledged meeting with Alabama athletic director Mal Moore Tuesday night in New York City.Reports from various news sources have indicated that Rodriguez has accepted an offer from Alabama but at this point, those reports appear to be premature.The Mountaineers will have a team meeting at 3:00 PM ET today and it is believed that Rodriguez will make his intentions known before that time.For updates on the situation, please visit WVSports.com's Blue Lot message forum. The WVSports.com staff will be on hand throughout the process to bring you the latest available information.