Utah coach Kyle Whittingham signed a five-year contract extension worth $6 million yesterday, a reward for leading the Utes to a perfect regular season and BCS bid.

No. 7 Utah (12-0) is the only major college unbeaten team heading into Friday night's Sugar Bowl game against No. 4 Alabama.

"I am very, very happy at the University of Utah," said Whittingham, who was promoted from defensive coordinator four years ago when Urban Meyer left for Florida. "It's been a great run, 15 years now. That's unique in this profession. It's not often that a coach gets to stay in one place for that period of time.

"I'm excited about the direction the program's heading. I think we've really got some momentum going."

The deal includes a $200,000 base salary with the rest of the money coming from things such as radio and television rights, and appearance and public speaking fees.

Whittingham, who made $681,000 this year, was the Mountain West Conference coach of the year and a finalist for several national coach of the year honors. He has gone 36-14 in four years as Utah's head coach, including a 3-0 record in bowls.

"We have a strong commitment to Kyle and Kyle has a strong commitment to us," athletic director Chris Hill said. "We think it's a great indicator of where our program is right now, but more important to me is the direction we're headed."

Hill said the deal has a buyout in case Whittingham takes another job or is fired.

ALABAMA

TACKLE OUT OF BOWL

Alabama All-America left tackle Andre Smith has been suspended from the Sugar Bowl for violating team rules, possibly signaling an end to the Outland Trophy winner's college career.

"The University of Alabama, the team and the football program are more important than any individual player," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said in a statement yesterday. "Everyone on our team depends on each other to be responsible, to make good choices and decisions relative to their actions."

Sources told www.ESPN.com that Smith's suspension was related to improper dealings with an agent.

The junior is expected to be one of the top players selected in the NFL draft if he opts to skip his final season at Alabama. Smith has been noncommittal about his future plans, but Saban offered a hint in his statement that the player wouldn't be back.

"Andre Smith has done an outstanding job in our program as a person, student and a player and we will do all we can as an institution to support him in all future endeavors," Saban said.

Alabama plays Utah on Friday night in New Orleans.

NOTRE DAME

WEIS HAS SURGERY

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis underwent knee replacement surgery yesterday in South Bend, Ind.

Weis' right knee was replaced and he is expected to have surgery at some point on his left knee, which was severely injured in a sideline collision with a player in September.

Dr. Willard G. Yergler said the replacement surgery was a success. Weis was expected to start walking on the knee later in the day and remain at Memorial Hospital for a day or two before several months of rehabilitation.

Weis injured his left knee Sept. 13 when defensive end John Ryan was blocked into Weis during the Michigan game.

Weis was in the coaches' box Dec. 24 for the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl against Hawai'i.

MIAMI

COORDINATOR FIRED

Patrick Nix was fired yesterday after two seasons as Miami's offensive coordinator, the first significant shakeup to the Hurricanes this offseason.

Nix packed up his office yesterday evening after a brief meeting with Miami head coach Randy Shannon.

Miami was 7-6 this season and sputtered at times offensively, yet showed improvement in some areas during the second half of the year.