Caldwell, Coffee, 3 others suspended

TUSCALOOSA --- Five Alabama football players, including All-SEC offensive lineman Antoine Caldwell and starting tailback Glen Coffee, were suspended for today’s game with Tennessee due to what has been termed “violation of institutional policy involving impermissable receipt of textbooks.”

Also suspended were starting offensive guard Marlon Davis and reserve defensive backs Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers.

Doug Walker, Alabama’s associate athletic director for media relations said the infraction was discovered on Thursday, and that an inquiry into the matter is ongoing. The suspensions were announced in a news release issued approximately 30 minutes before Saturday’s kickoff with Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“We’re going strictly with what we know right now,” Walker said.

Walker said he was unsure if any other players were involved in the infraction, and did not specify exactly what the violation was, though it is believed the players received more books than they are entitled to under the terms of their athletic scholarships. The suspensions are for today’s game at least, and are considered indefinite until the matter is resolved.

“This is a situation that developed late this week and we are actively investigating,” Alabama athletics Mal Moore said in the statement issued by the school. “These suspensions are a measure aimed at dealing with the facts as we know them at this time. While I cannot discuss the situation in great detail, I can assure you we will address it fully when we have completed this inquiry.”

Caldwell, a fourth-year junior, had started 32 consecutive games at three different offensive line positions, and is considered one of the team’s senior leaders. He graduated with a diploma in human environmental sciences in August, the first player in recent school history to finish his degree in three academic years.

Coffee, a redshirt sophomore, is second on the Crimson Tide in rushing with 413 yards and four touchdowns. He has rotated with redshirt freshman Terry Grant at the position all season, but has seen his playing time increase each week.

Davis has started five of six games at right guard this season, and has 10 starts in his career. Johnson and Rogers are two of the team’s most-valuable special teams players.