Hurricanes hire Kansas defensive coordinator Bill Young

1/17/2008 7:44 PM

By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP) - Kansas defensive coordinator Bill Young has accepted an offer to become defensive coordinator for the University of Miami, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person requested anonymity because paperwork to finalize the deal hadn't been processed.

Young will succeed Tim Walton, who was fired by coach Randy Shannon after the Hurricanes allowed more than 300 points this season for the first time since 1984. Shannon was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach after the 2006 season.

Young was a finalist in 2007 for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach. The Jayhawks beat Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl in their first Bowl Championship Series game to finish 12-1, setting a school record for wins.

Kansas ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense, eighth against the run and 12th in total defense while forcing 35 turnovers, most in the Big 12 Conference.

Two of the best defenses in Kansas' history, in 2005 and 2007, were under Young's watch. The season before he arrived six years ago, the Jayhawks were 110th in scoring defense - while Miami was No. 1.

Young leaves a Kansas a defense that loses only two starters, All-America cornerback Aqib Talib and tackle James McClinton.

Young's six-year stay at Kansas was his second longest in a 39-year coaching career. He spent eight seasons at Ohio State.

Miami finished 5-7 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 1997. The Hurricanes' defense gave up 312 points, including 51 against Oklahoma and 48 to Virginia in Miami's final home game at the Orange Bowl.

AP Sports Writer Doug Tucker in Kansas City, Mo., contributed to this report.