MIAMI -- For Alabama fans, it's hard to say which was worse
-- the sexual harassment scandal, or the loss to Louisiana Tech.
Alabama coach Mike DuBose has brought the Tide to the brink of an Orange Bowl title.
Both nearly cost coach Mike DuBose his job.
"You couldn't turn on the news or look at a newspaper without
hearing something about how coach DuBose should be fired,"
defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin said.
But DuBose survived the tumultuous season. He said he has been
forgiven by God and even by Crimson Tide fans.
On Wednesday, the university gave DuBose a contract extension
through 2003, restoring the two years taken away as punishment for
the sexual harassment scandal. On Saturday, he'll lead fifth-ranked
Alabama (10-2) against eighth-ranked Michigan (9-2) in the Orange
Bowl.
"No question it has been a difficult year in a lot of ways,"
said DuBose, 46. "I'm grateful to this coaching staff and the
players. Because of the adversity, they came together as one."
The turmoil began in May after a female university employee
accused DuBose of sexual harassment. He first denied any
involvement with the woman, then three months later admitted lying
about the relationship. To avoid a court fight, the school agreed
to pay the woman $350,000 out of DuBose's salary.
"I made some huge mistakes and asked for forgiveness in those
mistakes and have been forgiven," said DuBose, who is married to
his high-school sweetheart. "I know God has forgiven me. I hope
people have."
Then came a last-second 29-28 loss to Louisiana Tech on Sept.
18, an upset that left Alabama fans livid and left DuBose worried
about his health, much less his job.
"Stress will kill you, and we were getting close to that
situation," he said.
The defeat knocked Alabama out of the top 25, but it also
brought the team together, DuBose said.
"The best meeting we've had all year was the Monday after we
lost to Louisiana Tech," he said. "There was no finger-pointing.
We just had a very constructive meeting and improved as a team."
The Crimson Tide went 8-1 the rest of the season and routed
Florida 34-7 in the Southeastern Conference championship game to
win their first league title since 1992.
DuBose was named SEC coach of the year, and his players applaud
the way he overcame the crisis.
"We've all done something wrong. Nobody is perfect," Griffin
said. "I think the whole state is behind coach now. They weren't
at first, but he's a great coach, and I think he'll be at Alabama
for a long time."
That's what DuBose wants. The native of Opp, Ala. played for the Crimson Tide under Bear Bryant, and becoming their coach was his
dream.
As Gene Stallings' successor, DuBose inherited a program still
recovering from NCAA probation. He went 4-7 in 1997 and improved to
7-5 in 1998.
Three months ago, he was on the brink of losing his job. Now his
popularity back home is again on the rise.
"We have the support of the majority; I don't know that we have
the support of everyone," DuBose said, referring to himself in the
plural.
"I thought the first year I got the job, I had to please
everybody. That'll drive you crazy. You can't please everybody. But
for the most part, the people who love and support the University
of Alabama support us."
