Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville Gunning for Alabama Assistant Coach

New Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville steals from Nick Saban at gun point.  Well not really it was that lethal finger again. Actually with "six" fingers blazing Tuberville steals James Willis from the Alabama coaching staff.  James was formerly on staff as linebackers coach for Saban until late Tuesday evening.

Tuberville has apparently hired Willis away from the University of Alabama to be Tech's defensive coordinator. Willis was a former player for Pat Dye at Auburn. And was an assistant coach for six seasons on Tuberville's staff, while he was the head coach at Auburn University.

Tuberville took a year off from coaching after 10 years at Auburn immediately after the 2008 season. Amid a disappointing 5-7 season for the Tigers, Tuberville resigned. He say's; he’s rejuvenated and is now ready to lead the red raiders to the next level in the Big 12 conference.

This is a Good move for James Willis and a nice addition to Tubervilles staff. I believe Willis will make a very good defensive coordinator at Texas Tech. This move may sooth some of the hard feelings a small segment of the Auburn fan base held toward Willis as well.  Immediately after Willis left Auburn in early 2009 to coach linebackers for the Crimson Tide.

Some felt it was a slap in the face to the Auburn family. I happen not to see it that way. Coaching is a business and Willis made a business decision. Then newly hired head coach for Auburn; Gene Chizik retained Willis from the former staff. However, strangely Willis felt his position was not secure enough at the time. Ironically he was offered a job with Saban's staff.

Let the healing begin...As for the 'Bama nation their glad Tuberville is pointing those fingers in the great state of Texas next season.

In other bizarre coaching moves Tuesday:

Could current defensive coordinator Kirby Smart be a candidate as head coach for the Tennessee Vol's? Lane Kiffin's sudden departure for Southern Cal has left Tennessee in scramble mode. With recruiting at full swing and national signing day just weeks away, the Vol's administration must move quickly to lock down Kiffin's replacement.

In fairness is the head coaching job better at Tennessee over a coordinator position at 'Bama? That's almost laughable I know, but look at the state of both programs in comparison. Sure the increase in pay and title are better but the Crimson Tide are light years ahead of the Vols.

Alabama is currently on “sanction free” probation with know ill-effects winning a national title. And Tennessee is staring down the barrel of possible recruiting violations and NCAA investigations.

Will Kirby even be a candidate? It would surprise me if his name is not at least tossed around. One thing is for sure. Unlike the vacuum, this Kirby does not suck. He is obviously a good coach with a ton of upside. Who knows maybe that’s why he turned down the Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator position.

Reports are he stood to increase the size of his bank account substantially. Maybe a little bird told him that Lane Kiffin was heading west. Despite being at different schools these coaches know one another pretty well. They have tight circles as well and in many cases they have the same agent.

Stay tuned the SEC offseason is getting interesting