Alabama hires Napier as receivers coach

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s Nick Saban has hired Billy Napier from Colorado State as wide receivers coach.

Saban announced the hiring on Friday to replace Mike Groh, who left for the Chicago Bears.

Napier worked under then-offensive coordinator Jim McElwain as an offensive analyst for Alabama in 2011. He spent last season working for McElwain as Colorado State’s assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.

Saban says Napier was his first call after Groh left. He calls Napier “a sharp young coach” who will be an asset as a coach and recruiter.

Napier spent five seasons with Clemson and became that program’s youngest coordinator in 2009 when he took over the offense at age 29.

The Tigers set a school record that season with 436 points. He was Clemson’s recruiting coordinator from 2006-08.