Report: Sun Devils to name Alabama WR coach Billy Napier offensive coordinator

It appears the Arizona State Sun Devils have finally found a new offensive coordinator.

According to a report by AL.com, Alabama wide receiver coach Billy Napier is expected to be tabbed as ASU’s next offensive coordinator. He’ll be replacing Chip Lindsey, who recently left his post as the Sun Devils’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to fill those same position at Auburn.

The hire comes after reports ASU had closed its pursuit of former California head coach Sonny Dykes after he cited family concerns as being cause for him to remain an offensive analyst at Texas Christian.

Napier previously served as an offensive analyst on the Crimson Tide’s staff prior to their 2011 championship campaign, and has served as their receivers coach since 2013.

Before joining Nick Saban’s staff, Napier held previous coaching experience.

The 37-year-old previously served on Clemson’s coaching staff, originally joining as a graduate assistant in 2003 before accepting a role as quarterbacks coach at South Carolina State in 2005.

Napier returned to Clemson as a tight ends coach in 2006, and was eventually elevated to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2009-10. He was only 31 years old — one of the youngest offensive coordinators in the country at the time — when he was fired at Clemson after one year as the Tigers offensive coordinator.

He returned to coaching for the 2012 season, serving as an assistant coach at Colorado State before being officially hired by Florida State as the team’s tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2013 offseason before joining Alabama’s staff just a month later.

Napier will be reunited with quarterback Blake Barnett, who transferred to ASU after spending one season at Alabama.