The University of Alabama may have been targeting Arizona's Greg Byrne for months.Β
Outgoing athletic director Bill Battle told school administrators last summer that he planned to retire when his four-year contract expired, according to a story posted on the Crimson Tide's official website.Β
At the time, Battle told university president Stuart Bell "that he should be looking for a replacement," Battle told the website. Β
"That process has been going on over the last few months," he added. "As you know, in this business, high-level changes are hard to map out and announce very far in advance."Β
Battle took a leave of absence last summer as he underwent treatment for multiple myeloma. Battle said health was not a factor in his decision to retire. Battle's myeloma is in remission, he said, a relief after the athletic director spent two years battling the disease.
The Star's Greg Hansen reported Sunday night that Byrne was leaving for Alabama following 6 1/2 years at the UA.Β
