Saban’s Crimson Tide staff shaken up
Michigan made a bold move to give its program a boost.
The Wolverines hired Doug Nussmeier away from Nick Saban and Alabama to be Brady Hoke’s offensive coordinator.
“Doug is a highly respected offensive coordinator and has earned a reputation as being a great mentor to quarterbacks, specifically, where he’s coached Pro Bowlers, top NFL draft choices and Heisman trophy finalists,” Hoke said in a statement. “Doug has been successful at every coaching stop with his balanced and explosive offenses, and he brings national championship experience.”
Alabama hired Nussmeier nearly two years ago to be Saban’s offensive coordinator after he directed the Washington Huskies offense the previous three seasons. Nussmeier also spent one season as offensive coordinator at Fresno State and had stints as quarterbacks coach with Michigan State and the St. Louis Rams. He was a candidate to become Washington’s head coach before the school hired Boise State’s Chris Petersen.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished in two seasons at Alabama, and I owe a great deal to coach Saban for that opportunity,” Nussmeier said in a statement. “Michigan is a program I’ve always had deep respect for, and I’m looking forward to getting started in Ann Arbor and being a part of the great tradition there.”
Michigan fired offensive coordinator Al Borges Wednesday after the Wolverines ranked 86th in the nation in total offense and flopped to a 7-6 finish. Borges was one of several assistants who came with Hoke in 2011 from his staff at San Diego State.
More Alabama
All-America left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix are leaving early for the NFL. Those two were joined in announcing their departures by linebacker Adrian Hubbard and defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan. As for the vacant offensive coordinator position, a source said former Southern California coach Lane Kiffin is being considered.
Florida State
Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan is entering the NFL draft, but guard Josue Matias, tight end Nick O’Leary and running back Karlos Williams will return for their senior seasons. The 6-foot-2, 296-pound Jernigan, a secondteam All-America selection, was the anchor of the line and commanded double-teams, allowing linebackers to run free and make plays. … The attorney for a woman who accused quarterback Jameis Winston of sexual assault said she will sue the school, the Tallahassee Police Department and the Heisman Trophy winner himself.
Auburn
Tailback Tre Mason will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft. The Heisman Trophy finalist said he’s “a dream chaser, and I’m trying to turn this dream into a reality.”
Ohio State
Two-time Big Ten MVP Braxton Miller is coming back for his senior season after the star quarterback considering jumping into the NFL draft a year early.
Nebraska
All-Big Ten running back Ameer Abdullah is returning for his senior season. Abdullah, who ran for more than 1,800 yards as a junior considered declaring for the NFL draft after his second consecutive 1,000yard season.
Louisville
Bobby Petrino is back for a second stint as the Cardinals’ coach, the school announced. Petrino returns to the Cardinals after leading them to a 41-9 record from 2003-06. He replaces Charlie Strong, who left last weekend to accept the Texas job. According to a source, UAB coach Garrick McGee will step down to become Petrino’s offensive coordinator.
Texas
A billionaire donor to the university apologized for his criticism of the hiring of Strong. Red McCombs told the San Antonio Express-News he phoned Strong to apologize and promised Strong his “total support.”
Wide receiver DaVaris Daniels is not enrolled for the spring semester, becoming the third high-profile Fighting Irish athlete (quarterback Everett Golson, basketball star Jerian Grant) in the past year to be suspended from school for academic problems. A school spokesman said that because of privacy laws, he couldn’t comment further on why Daniels wasn’t enrolled. But he released a statement from Daniels saying he plans to be back in time for next season.
Stanford
Ty Montgomery won the Jet Award as the nation’s top return specialist. Montgomery averaged 31 yards on kickoff returns and ran back two for touchdowns. The junior was named All-Pac-12 first team as a return man and second team as a receiver.
Iowa State
Mark Mangino was introduced as the new offensive coordinator for the Cyclones, his first job at a major program since he left the head job at Kansas amid allegations of player mistreatment after the 2009 season.