One of the up and comers in the coaching ranks is getting a promotion.
WVMetroNews’ Allan Taylor reported last night that West Virginia’s quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital will join Kevin Sumlin‘s coaching staff at Texas A&M. Spavital confirmed the news to CBSSports, adding that he will not only be the team’s QB coach, meaning he’ll be coaching up Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, but the team’s co-offensive coordinator.
A&M running backs coach Clarence McKinney will join Spavital in that role. McKinney handled play-calling duties for A&M in its win over Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. Former Aggies OC Kliff Kingsbury has become the head coach at Texas Tech.
Not unlike Kingsbury himself, Spavital is on the rise having been mentored by Dana Holgorsen, Kevin Sumlin, Gus Malzahn and Kingsbury. Spavital, who is 27 and started coaching in 2008, began as an offensive graduate assistant at Tulsa before moving on to Houston, Oklahoma State and WVU. During that time, he’s worked with QBs Case Keenum, Brandon Weeden and Geno Smith.
While the move is a great one for Spavital, it does mean more shakeup for Holgorsen’s coaching staff. The second-year coach released cornerbacks coach Daron Roberts and longtime assistant Steve Dunlap after the 2012 season and is expected to bring in Tony Gibson from Rich Rodriguez‘s staff at Arizona and former East Carolina defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell.
(Photo: WVU athletics)