Fresno State OC = Bama's New OC?

by CaptStu on Jan 27, 2008 7:56 AM CST

Quite possibly. Fresno State offensive coordinator Jim McElwain is allegedly a prime candidate. Take this from Ian Rapoport's blog:

http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/01/fresno_state_coach_pat_hill_i.html.

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Here is a little more info about Alabama coach Nick Saban's search for an offensive coordinator. Still no reaction or comment from anyone at Alabama. But there was some from Fresno, Calif., tonight. All of these quotes came courtesy of The Fresno Bee. A reporter from the paper caught up with some Bulldogs coaches at a basketball game tonight.

(For those who don't know, there is reportedly a meeting between Saban and Fresno State offensive coordinator Jim McElwain today in Tucson, Ariz.)

On the call from Saban: "There was a call to Coach (Pat) Hill pretty much asking about me," McElwain told the paper. "It's a credit to Hill. It's amazing what happens when your guys play hard."

McElwain would not confirm or deny the alleged meeting.

On what Hill told Saban: "I told him (that McElwain) s a heck of a coach," Hill said. "I never stand in a person's way of an advancement. It's really up to him whether he's going to go interview or not. Jim did a great job for us this year and hopefully he'll stay."

On the meeting: "We've had a lot of coaches that have moved on and I think that speaks volumes about the type of coaches we have," Hill said. "I don't know if it's a done deal or anything like that."

On the money issues: (The pay at Alabama would be) "a great deal more. ... at least double I'd imagine. Or triple," Hill said.

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What do you think about McElwain as the new OC?

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Background Information on OC Candidate

From the Fresno State CSTV page:

http://gobulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mcelwain_jim00.html

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Jim McElwain enters his first season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, joining the Bulldogs after spending the 2006 season in the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders.

While his last employment was with the NFL, McElwain also has extensive experience as an assistant coach in the collegiate ranks. Most recently, McElwain served as the assistant head coach, receivers coach, and special teams coach at Michigan State from 2003-05. During his tenure, the Spartans played in the 2003 Alamo Bowl, reaching the postseason behind a receiving corps that set school records for receptions (312), yards (3,510 and touchdowns (21). He also coached 2004 All-America punter Brandon Fields, and the Big Ten Conference scoring leader, Dave Rayner.

Prior to his stint at Michigan State, he spent three seasons at Louisville as the receivers coach and special teams coach, helping the Cardinals to three consecutive bowl appearances in the 2000 Liberty Bowl, the 2001 Liberty Bowl, and the 2002 GMAC Bowl.

From 1995-99 he was the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks and receivers coach at Montana State, where he coached a record-setting quarterback, Rob Compson, and the school's career receiving leader, Chip Hobbs. His offenses set Bobcat records for pass completions and were among the most productive in school history.

He served at his alma mater, Eastern Washington from 1985-94 in a variety of cpacities, starting as a graduate assistant and working his way up to quarterbacks and receivers coach. He helped the Eagles to two I-AA playoff appearances in 1992 and 1995, and coached several players who set offensive records.

McElwain played quarterback at Eastern Washington from 1980-83, and earned a degree in Education in 1984. He and his wife, Karen, have three children, JoHanna, Elizabeth and Jerrett.

by CaptStu on Jan 27, 2008 8:00 AM CST reply actions

Good hire...

I think he would be a good hire, and at this point it really seems like it is going to happen.

Nothing official just yet, but it is seemingly right around the corner.

by outsidethesidelines on Jan 27, 2008 4:30 PM CST reply actions

I will assume...

through the mentioned recievers' and qb's stats that he runs a spread offense. Is this correct? How much of a trnasition would it be from MA's offense?

by cfore07 on Jan 28, 2008 10:34 AM CST reply actions

Performed well over GT in Humanitarian Bowl....

If that says anything. They put up 571 yds of offense against GT (285-Passing & 286-Rushing)Fresno St. was 6-2 in the conference and 7-4 overall this past year. They obviously know how to generate some offense........ and Bama need's to learn how to.

"THE Baldguy"

by russellc on Jan 28, 2008 10:35 AM CST reply actions