Colorado State has hired Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain as its new head coach, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Monday.
McElwain will continue coaching the No. 2 Crimson Tide's offense through their Jan. 9 contest against No. 1 LSU in the Allstate BCS National Championship in the Mercedes-Benz Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans
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McElwain is expected to receive a five-year contract worth about $1.5 million per season from Colorado State, sources told ESPN.com. A second source in the Southeastern Conference corroborated McElwain's move.
McElwain, a native of Montana, helped the Crimson Tide win a BCS national championship in 2010. Alabama led the SEC and ranked No. 15 nationally in rushing this season (219.8 yards per game) and were No. 16 nationally in scoring (36 points).
McElwain, who also interviewed for head-coaching vacancies at Fresno State and Memphis, replaces former Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild, who went 16-33 in four seasons.
Mark Schlabach covers college sports for ESPN.com. You can contact him at schlabachma@yahoo.com.