Former Alabama head coach hired by Big Ten program

Former Alabama head coach Mike Shula is headed from the SEC to the Big Ten.

Shula is set to join PJ Fleck’s staff at Minnesota as a senior offensive assistant who will also be working directly with the quarterbacks according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Shula spent the 2025 season with South Carolina where he was the team’s offensive coordinator and was previously an offensive assistant with it in 2024.

He was let go by the Gamecock’s part way through the season when the team began the year 3-6.

Shula was famously the former head coach at Alabama prior to Nick Saban taking over the program. During his stretch as the head coach of the Crimson Tide from 2003-06, Shula went 26-23 with two bowl appearances. He also played quarterback at Alabama from 1984-86.

He also brings an extensive background in coaching at the NFL level with stops with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills.