CURRY LEAVES BOOTH FOR SIDELINES

Curry accepts new challenge as Georgia State coach.

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia State has its first football coach and, at 65, Bill Curry has a new job.

Curry, the former coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky who spent the last decade as a football commentator for ESPN, said Thursday he's ready for a new challenge after receiving a 5-year contract.

Curry was introduced as the first coach for Georgia State's new football program, which begins play in 2010. The Panthers will compete in the Colonial Athletic Association and will play their home games at the Georgia Dome.

Curry played at Georgia Tech from 1960 to 1964. He coached the Yellow Jackets for seven years in the 1980s before guiding Alabama to the 1989 Southeastern Conference championship.