Former Alabama, South Carolina coach Mike Shula to join Big Ten staff, per report
By David Wasson
Published:
Former Alabama head coach and South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shula has reportedly latched on in the Big Ten, joining the offensive staff at Minnesota.
ESPN reported that Shula will serve as a senior offensive assistant working with the quarterbacks and offensive staff under offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr.
Shula, 60, played collegiately at Alabama and deviated from an NFL coaching career to take over his alma mater in 2003 – as the Crimson Tide was reeling from the firing of Mike Price and under a cloud of NCAA violations. He coached in Tuscaloosa for three seasons, recording a 26-23 on-field record before being fired in 2006. Shula’s termination ultimately led to the hiring of Nick Saban and a historic run for Alabama.
Shula most recently served a stint as offensive coordinator at South Carolina before being let go by coach Shane Beamer after the 2025 season. In between, he coached with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills. Shula also worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears before Alabama hired him.
Coach PJ Fleck’s Minnesota team finished 8-5 in 2025, including a 20-17 overtime victory against New Mexico in the Rate Bowl. Shula will be working with quarterback Drake Lindsay, who is Minnesota’s first returning starter at the position since 2022-23.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
