According to reports from al.com, new head coach Gus Malzahn announced Wednesday, Dec. 5 he was relieving Gene Chizik's staff members of their duties.
Malzahn told the staff he was planning on starting his tenure with a clean slate, and the first positions on his agenda would be offensive and defensive coordinators.
This means former defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler will be released, along with Trooper Taylor, Jay Boulware, Jeff Grimes, Curtis Luper, Willie Martinez, Tommy Thigpen and Mike Pelton.
Malzahn has allegedly wasted no time looking for replacements.
Former Alabama and South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has reportedly been interviewed for the defensive coordinator position.
Johnson is coming off a dismal season as head coach of a Southern Miss team that did not record a single win. He was fired for the effort.
Though Johnson did not make it as a head coach, his merit as a defensive coordinator is unquestioned, as he has had success with teams such as Alabama, Mississippi State and South Carolina.
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