Alabama fires Shula, Kines is interim coach

Alabama is again in the market for a coach, its fourth in six years, after Athletic Director Mal Moore announced Mike Shula’s firing on Monday. Moore said that defensive coordinator Joe Kines would serve as interim coach for the bowl-eligible Crimson Tide.

After a 10-2 record in 2005, Alabama had given Shula a six-year contract in May worth $1.55 million per year. The deal extended his contract two years through early 2012, with a raise of $650,000 plus a $200,000 signing bonus. The buyout tab comes to about $4 million. This season’s 6-6 record ended with three consecutive losses. Shula’s record in four seasons at Alabama was 26-23.

Moore didn’t mention any candidates but said he was beginning a national search. The most high-profile names on Alabama fans’ wish list -- South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier and the Miami Dolphins’ Nick Saban -- said they were staying put.

Alabama has had seven coaches in the 24 years since Paul “Bear” Bryant’s last season in 1982. Bryant led Alabama for 25 years.

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Texas defensive co-coordinator Gene Chizik was introduced as Iowa State’s coach, replacing Dan McCarney, who resigned this month after 12 seasons. Chizik will not coach for Texas in the Longhorns’ bowl game, which has not been determined. Iowa State was 4-8 this season.

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Mark Dantonio, the Cincinnati coach the last three seasons, is returning to Michigan State as coach, replacing John L. Smith, whose team was 4-8 this season. Dantonio had been an assistant with the Spartans from 1995 to 2000.

Dantonio’s five-year contract guarantees him about $1.1 million a year, on the lower end of the Big Ten Conference pay scale. The contract also has a $200,000 signing bonus and incentives.

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Texas Christian (9-2) accepted a bid to the Dec. 19 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The Horned Frogs’ at-large opponent has not been determined.... Utah (7-5) accepted a bid to the Dec. 23 Armed Forces Bowl at the Texas Christian campus. The Utes will play an undetermined opponent from Conference USA.