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WVU quarterbacks coach Spavital leaves for Texas A&M
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West Virginia quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital accepted a position at Texas A&M to work with Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator, a Post-Gazette source confirmed Friday morning.
The move leaves a sizable void on the staff for Coach Dana Holgorsen, who is close to finalizing a pair of openings on the defensive side of the ball.
Spavital worked with Geno Smith for the past two years helping him to two record breaking seasons with the Mountaineers.
Now he gets to help mold Johnny Football.
"I am grateful for the opportunity that Dana has given me in my career," Spavital told CBS Sports earlier this morning. "And I'm excited to get to A&M and continue with the success that they've had."
Spavital is just adding to an already impressive resume. He worked with Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State, Smith, and now Manziel.
Holgorsen is set to replace two positions on his defensive staff with longtime Rich Rodriguez assistant Tony Gibson and former East Carolina defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell. Both are going through the University vetting process, the Post-Gazette reported on Wednesday.
Complicating his departure, or lessening the blow, depending on the point of view is the fact a new quarterback will be playing for West Virginia next year.
A classic competition arrives this spring between backup Paul Millard and freshman Ford Childress.
Spavital was well liked among the players on the team, and highly regarded in coaching circles as a sharp offensive mind.
Smith tweeted a message of support this morning from his Twitter account @GenoSmith_12: "Proud to see my man Jake Spavital progressing in his career. Great coach & even greater person. Good luck in Aggie land Jake!"
First Published January 11, 2013 12:15 am
