Mitch Gaspard retained for another season

Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard will return for his seventh season as Alabama's head coach, the Tuscaloosa News has learned.

A report surfaced Wednesday suggesting that Gaspard and his assistant coaching staff may not be retained following its 32-28 campaign in 2015. But Gaspard had his annual postseason meeting with Alabama athletic director Bill Battle on Wednesday and was assured the current coaching staff would stay on for the 2016 season. Gaspard's contract runs through next season.

Gaspard is 202-167 overall and 79-99 in SEC regular-season play in his six seasons as head coach, leading Alabama to four NCAA tournament appearances (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014). The 2015 team, which was forced…