MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) L.C. Cole came to Alabama State in January 2000 with visions of steering the football program into Division I-A and eventually playing in a new on-campus stadium.

On Friday, the football coach learned the board of trustees voted 5-1 a day earlier to shelve plans, at least for now, to become the first historically black college to move up to Division I-A in football.

"It is a shock to me, because I was still thinking there was some hope there and that Alabama State would keep that vision just like Troy State did," Cole said. "I think Troy State has seen a difference in the program and in the caliber of football played.

"Unfortunately, our administration didn't see it like that."

The Hornets went 8-4 in Cole's second season, losing 38-31 to Grambling in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game. The Trojans, about 50 miles away and once rivals of the Hornets, officially moved up to Division I-A last season.

"That was our biggest recruiting tool because we don't have our own stadium and we don't have up-to-date facilities," Cole said. "What it's done is it's probably made it real tough for me as head coach to be able get the caliber of athlete we need to have to sustain a good program."

Cole signed a five-year contract worth about $130,000 annually plus incentives, on the eve of the SWAC title game, after months of sometimes contentious negotiations.

He had earlier hinted that he might leave Alabama State, and gave a lukewarm response when asked if the board's decision not to continue pursuing the I-A move would affect his status.

"Right now, I'm committed to Alabama State University, at this point in time," said Cole, who learned of the decision from an Associated Press reporter while traveling in Indianapolis.

He said the university still hasn't paid out bonuses for himself and his staff promised retroactively under the new contract.

"I'm taking all the shots," Cole said. "I guess you would say one of these days I'm going to have to wake up or come to some conclusion about what direction I need to go. Because apparently right now, it seems like things are not going the right direction promised when I came here."

Neither university President Joe Lee nor Alabama State spokesman John Knight immediately returned calls seeking comment Friday.

Interim athletic director Rob Spivery said the issue of moving to I-A was put aside for now, not killed.

"And the fact that the decision has been suspended does not mean that it won't happen in the future," said Spivery, also the men's basketball coach.

He said there was "ongoing talk" about building a stadium to move home games from the city's Cramton Bowl, but he isn't sure if or when it will happen.

Cole, meanwhile, isn't certain what his future holds.

"When I get off the plane (in Montgomery), I've got to figure out what's going to happen next," he said. "I guess one of the things you've got to look at is what's going be taken next from you.

"Welcome to the real world, I guess."

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