TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach Mike Shula is the new football coach at Alabama, the university announced in a statement Thursday night.

Shula will be formally introduced as coach at a 12:30 p.m. news conference Friday in Tuscaloosa.

Shula met with Alabama players Thursday night. Shula and Alabama officials agreed in principle on a contract that will run at least five years, a source told ESPN Radio on Wednesday night.

The 37-year-old Shula, the son of NFL coaching great Don Shula, had been excused from the Dolphins' practice Thursday.

Shula, a Crimson Tide quarterback in the 1980s under Ray Perkins, and NFL assistants Sylvester Croom of the Green Bay Packers and Richard Williamson of the Carolina Panthers were interviewed as candidates to replace ousted coach Mike Price. Croom and Williamson also are former Alabama players.

"Shula is the right guy because he has the class, the charisma and the name recognition that Alabama needs right now," the booster told ESPN Radio. "Shula's been the lead guy since last Thursday."