BOISE -- Boise State announced Wednesday afternoon, defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox will be leaving Boise State for the University of Tennessee.
Pete Kwiatkowski, who was the Broncos defensive line coach will be promoted to the defensive coordinator position to replace Wilcox.
Wilcox has been with the Broncos for the last six seasons and has been the defensive coordinator since the beginning of the 2006 season. This isn't the first interest Wilcox has drawn this offseason. In December, he was a finalist for the Texas A&M defensive coordinator position.
According to ESPN's Chris Low, Dooley had talked to several people about the position. He apparently made an offer to Clemson D-coordinator Kevin Steele, who had some initial interest, but then decided to stay with the Tigers. Low also said Dooley was interested in Alabama's Kirby Smart, but in the end decided to go with Wilcox.
Before taking the job at Tennessee last month, Derek Dooley was the athletic director and head football coach at Louisiana Tech. So, Wilcox and Dooley have competed against one another for each of the last three seasons. Dooley's Bulldogs actually hung 35 points on the Broncos in 2009, the most the BSU defense allowed all season.
Boise State and Chris Petersen also announced Wednesday that assistants Scott Huff and Chris Strausser will switch positions. Strausser has been the tight ends and fullbacks coach the last three seasons, while Huff has managed the offensive line over the same time period.
Petersen called the switch, "A win-win situation for us. Scott and Chris are outstanding individuals who have coached these positions before. Similar to what we have done in the past, we are always looking to keep things fresh and create energy. We feel this move will be a plus for our team as we continue to look for new ways to improve. "
Petersen also announced that a search is underway to hire another assistant coach.
