Alabama offers job to Avery Johnson

Alabama has offered its men’s basketball job to former NBA player and head coach Avery Johnson, a person familiar with the negotiations said Sunday. The person said Johnson and Alabama are working on the details of a deal. Alabama athletic director Bill Battle did not return a call seeking comment. ESPN first reported the contract talks. Johnson has been an NBA analyst for the network since being fired by the Brooklyn Nets in December 2012. He played 16 years in the NBA, much of it with the San Antonio Spurs. Johnson would replace Anthony Grant, who was fired after making only one NCAA tournament six seasons. This would be Johnson’s first college coaching job, but he’s led the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets of the NBA.

Associated Press