Alabama Hires Avery Johnson as Head Basketball Coach

After firing Anthony Grant this offseason, Alabama was forced to find a new head coach to lead the basketball team. Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall had been rumored to be the top candidate for the job, but decided to stay with the Shockers after agreeing to a new contract. Another rumored candidate, Richard Pitino, also spurned the Crimson Tide to remain at Minnesota.

On Monday, Alabama announced they had agreed to terms with Avery Johnson. 

Continue for updates.

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Alabama Announces Signing of Johnson

Monday, April 6

Just as the national championship game was tipping off, Alabama officially introduced Johnson as its next head coach:

Michael Casagrande of AL.com reported the deal is worth "six years and close to $18 million."

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Marshall to Stay at Wichita State, Pitino Remaining at Minnesota

Friday, April 3

Alabama is looking to make a major splash in its coaching search, and it had pegged Marshall as its primary candidate.

However, Bleacher Report's Jason King first reported late Wednesday that Marshall will be staying at Wichita State. He added:

'Bama Athletic Director Bill Battle released a statement acknowledging Marshall was staying in the Midwest: 

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reported the financials of the deal: "Clarifying Marshall's contract terms: first year will be for $3 million, deal is rollover. The 7-year terms will come to $3.3 million/year."

Paul Suellentrop of Kansas.com reported Alabama's offer to Marshall was much higher: "Sources at Wichita State and close to the program say the offer is $4.2 million, perhaps as high as $4.9, for six years."

So where could Alabama turn to next? ESPN's Andy Katz speculates on a few candidates the school may go after: 

However, on April 3, Scout.com's Evan Daniels reported that Pitino will remain at Minnesota. Pitino released a statement, via Minnesota's twitter feed, saying:

Alabama has appeared in the tournament just once since 2006. While the program regularly had strong teams in the 1980s and '90s and reached the Elite Eight in 2004, the Crimson Tide aren't considered one of the elite basketball programs in the SEC.