The 62-year-old Doba has never been a college head coach. He was the last remaining member of the original staff Price hired when he arrived at Washington State in 1989.

"This is the dream of a lifetime," Doba said. "I want to maintain and improve the status coach Price brought this program to."

Price will coach No. 7 Washington State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 against No. 8 Oklahoma, athletic director Jim Sterk said.

Price told his players Tuesday he was leaving, and then headed to Alabama. He replaces Dennis Franchione, who left the Crimson Tide for Texas A&M on Dec. 5.

The Cougars (10-2) had one of the top defenses in the Pac-10 this season, allowing 82 rushing yards and 21 points a game. They were seventh in the nation in rushing defense.

Doba helped develop All-American defensive tackle Rien Long, who won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman.

Doba was hired at Washington State less than a month after Price arrived from Weber State. He has been defensive coordinator since 1994.

During his 14 years at Washington State, Doba was known for building good defenses out of sometimes marginal players. The 1994 team finished second in the nation in defense and won the Alamo Bowl.

No contract has been signed, Sterk said, but he hopes to reach an agreement with Doba in the next week.