Alabama Reportedly Fires Strength Coach Who Gave Loan to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Alabama assistant strength and conditioning coach Corey Harris was reportedly fired on Saturday after news had surfaced that he had given "impermissible benefits" to star free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

Aaron Suttles of the Tuscaloosa News reported on the matter and noted that Harris had been indefinitely suspended since October for providing Clinton-Dix with a short-term loan.

According to the report, the loan was for an amount of less than $500, and it came after Clinton-Dix's car was broken into on either the evening of June 25 or the morning of June 26.

NCAA bylaw 16.11.2.3 clearly states, "An institutional employee or representative of the institution’s athletics interests may not provide a student-athlete with extra benefits or services, including, but not limited to: (a) A loan of money..."

Alex Scarborough of ESPN.com noted that Harris had been originally placed on administrative leave.

The whole ordeal resulted in Clinton-Dix serving a two-game suspension, and has now culminated in Harris losing his job.

An investigation on the matter revealed a link between Harris and a sports agent, but there was no discernible connection between Clinton-Dix and any agent or agent representative, per Scuttles.

In that context, it seems Harris' gesture was innocent, but the Tide took no chances and relieved him of his duties.

The Tide's stout defense didn't skip a beat without Clinton-Dix in the lineup, but the two-time reigning national champions are certainly better off with him on the field. Clinton-Dix is No. 16 on ESPN.com expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s (subscription required) prospect rankings for the 2014 NFL draft.

The 20-year-old is only a junior, so there is a chance he stays in Tuscaloosa beyond this season.

However, if the Tide win a third national championship in as many years, it seems unlikely Clinton-Dix will hang around considering his encouraging prospect to be an impact player at the professional level.