McElwain takes Colorado State coaching job

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Colorado State University has tabbed Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain as its new head football coach, the school said Tuesday.

McElwain, a one-time assistant with the NFL's Oakland Raiders, replaces the fired Steve Fairchild, who was dismissed this month after compiling a 16-33 record over four seasons.

CSU Athletic Director Jack Graham said McElwain is "a coach who has throughout his career demonstrated the level of excellence we're aiming for at Colorado State, and we're confident he's the right man to lead us to a bold new era for Rams football."

Graham noted McElwain -- who has also coached a Fresno State and Eastern Washington -- is "a native Westerner."