Purdue names former Nebraska coach as defensive coordinator

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) Purdue coach Darrell Hazell hired Ross Els as defensive coordinator Friday.

Els was Nebraska's linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator from 2011-14. Last season, he worked on the staff at his son's high school, Lincoln Southwest in Nebraska.

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Before joining the Cornhuskers, Els spent six seasons as Ohio's linebackers coach, including 2010 when he was the assistant head coach. He also coached linebackers, safeties and special teams and served two seasons as defensive coordinator at New Mexico State.

Els' other college stops were at Northern Iowa, Nebraska-Omaha and Hastings College in Nebraska, where he went 32-9 and led the school to two NAIA playoff appearances in six seasons as head coach.

He replaces Greg Hudson, who was fired shortly after the Boilermakers' season finale in November.

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