MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Former Alabama assistant Ronnie Cottrell is poised to become head coach at Alma Bryant High School. The hire is pending approval from the Mobile County school board.

Cottrell was out of coaching last year after leading Carroll High of Ozark to a 9-12 record in two seasons.

He and Ivy Williams sued the NCAA and recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper for defamation claiming they were unable to find comparable employment after losing their jobs following an NCAA investigation that resulted in sanctions against the Alabama program.

Cottrell won a $30 million judgment against Culpepper, who provided investigators with information. But the trial judge threw out the verdict and ordered a new trial.

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court declined without comment to hear their appeal. A lawyer for Cottrell and Williams said Wednesday he expects to pursue the suit against Culpepper.

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