Vanderbilt has hired its new offensive and defensive coordinators, per numerous reports.
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig will take the same position for the Commodores. New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff, a former Vanderbilt assistant under James Franklin, will return to West End as Derek Mason’s defensive coordinator.
Vanderbilt has not confirmed either hiring, and Mason could not be reached for comment.
The Big Ten Network reported that Ludwig would replace Karl Dorrell, who was firedafter one season at Vanderbilt. Wisconsin will play Auburn in the Outback Bowl on Thursday.
McGriff’s hiring to replace fired defensive coordinator David Kotulski was first reported by Football Scoop on Sunday night. On Monday, Saints coach Sean Payton did not confirm McGriff’s reported departure to The Times-Picayune.
“I heard that report,” Payton said. “I’m unaware of any of that. I’m sure, knowing Wesley, he and I will talk. Anything we do … involving coaches will be announced and talked about at the appropriate time. Today will not be the day to do that.”
McGriff coached defensive backs and oversaw defensive recruiting at Vanderbilt in 2011. His secondary notched 12 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), and the entire defense finished with 19 picks that season. The Commodores had only six interceptions in 2014, tied for the fewest in a single season in program history since the statistic was first kept in 1946.
McGriff coached at Ole Miss in 2012 before joining the Saints.
Ludwig spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wisconsin, which set a school record in total offense in 2013 and ranked third nationally in rushing offense in 2014 behind Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon.
The hiring of former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst as the Badgers new head coach made Ludwig available to other schools. Before arriving at Wisconsin, Ludwig was offensive coordinator at Fresno State, Oregon, Utah, Cal and San Diego State.
The Commodores ranked 122nd in total offense among 125 Football Bowl Subdivision teams and started an FBs-high four quarterbacks in 2014.
Vanderbilt was 3-9 overall and 0-8 in SEC play in Mason’s debut season. The Commodores must still hire a wide receivers coach to replace Marc Lubick, who was fired alongside Dorrell in early December.
Courtesy of: Adam Sparks
Published by: Tennessean