Tagged: Guy Bailey resigns University of Alabama

Former University of Alabama President Guy Bailey says he resigned because his ill wife would drive herself to meet the social obligations of being a president's wife and that would put her life at risk.

Two top aides to former University of Alabama President Guy Bailey are leaving the school but will continue to draw a salary for months.

Both presidential assistant Mary Larson Diaz and presidential chief of staff Justin Clark moved to Tuscaloosa with Bailey from Texas Tech University after he took the job at Alabama. Their combined salaries were $246,000 annually.

But both positions were eliminated following Bailey's unexpected resignation after just two months on the job.

The University of Alabama is still paying ex-President Guy Bailey $535,000 a year even though he resigned after just two months on the job.

Bailey cited his wife's health in unexpectedly quitting in late October. But university system spokeswoman Kellee Reinhart told The Associated Press on Friday that Bailey remains on the university payroll.

Bailey is officially on leave through August. He could return to campus as an English professor after that.

The University of Alabama has named a replacement for provost Judy Bonner, who was recently tapped as the school's first female president.

Long-time administrator and faculty member Joe Benson will serve as interim provost, which is the school's chief academic official.

Benson has been vice president for research and vice provost since 2009. A statement released Monday says he will continue in the vice presidential slot and as provost until his planned retirement in summer 2013.

University of Alabama trustees are gathering in Tuscaloosa to discuss a new president following Guy Bailey's resignation after less than two months in office.

Board pro tem Paul Bryant Jr. says members will discuss presidential succession at a meeting on Thursday.

Bailey announced his resignation on Wednesday, saying it was due to the health of wife Jan Tillery-Bailey.

A statement didn't reveal anything about her condition, but a university spokeswoman says Bailey's wife was critically ill over the summer.