Before flying home to Tuscaloosa late Thursday night after meeting with Franchione in Dallas, Moore assured the TCU coach that Alabama would do ''whatever it takes'' financially to seal the deal. It's believed Moore wished to confer with University of Alabama President Andrew Sorensen this morning before extending the official offer. Alabama's the one he wants if everything can be worked out. Several hours before meeting with Moore, Franchione told reporters in Fort Worth that he would not be deterred by the challenge of coaching at a school like Alabama, where the pressure to win is relentless and the expectations are always high. Franchione also said, ''There are no Utopias.
Buildings are just brick walls.
TCU began practicing Thursday for its game against Southern Mississippi in the Mobile Alabama Bowl on Dec. 20. After the 75-minute workout, Franchione told the assembled squad of his plans to meet with Moore. Moore met with University of Pittsburgh coach Walt Harris Wednesday in Pittsburgh. If Franchione rejects Alabama's offer, Moore is expected to turn to Harris or perhaps to Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, who has openly campaigned for the job in recent days. Franchione, a native of Girard, Kan., is a 1973 graduate of Pittsburg State College in Kansas.