JAMES WILLIS TO BE NEXT TECH DC

James Willis will be the next assistant coach hired by Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville.

A source said Willis and his family were in Lubbock on Tuesday and that he will become the Red Raiders' new defensive coordinator.

On Tuesday, Tuberville hired Neal Brown as the Red Raiders' offensive coordinator. Brown, 29, was Troy's offensive coordinator the past two seasons.

Willis, 37, comes to Tech after spending the past season as the associate head coach and linebacker coach for Alabama, which just defeated Texas last Thursday for the national championship.

When Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban hired Willis last January, he said:

"I'm extremely pleased and happy to have James join our staff. We tried to go out and hire the best possible coaches when this process started and I'm confident we've done that.

"James has everything you would want in terms of finding an outstanding coach and an outstanding recruiter with a lot of enthusiasm and intensity. He's played in the SEC and the NFL, and grew up and coached in the state of Alabama so he will be able to contribute in many areas and make a positive impact as we continue to build a championship program here at Alabama.''

Alabama finished this past season ranked among the nation's leaders in several defensive categories, including allowing just 244.1 total yards, 166 passing yards, 78.1 rushing yards and just 11.7 points per game.

Born in Huntsville, Ala., Willis was the linebacker coach at Auburn under Tuberville from 2006-'08. He also was the linebacker coach at Temple (2005) and Rhode Island (2004), was a defensive graduate assistant at Auburn under Tuberville (2003), and a student assistant at Auburn in 2001 and '02 under Tuberville.

Willis also played seven seasons in the NFL with Green Bay, Philadelphia and Seattle, and was a three-year starter for the Eagles.

Story courtesy of www.star-telegram.com