Saban Is New Michigan State Football Coach
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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Nick Saban, defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, was announced as Michigan State’s new football coach Saturday, replacing George Perles, who was fired three weeks ago.
The appointment still needs the approval of the Board of Trustees at its meeting Friday, but that will be a formality said university President Peter McPherson.
Saban, 43, was secondary coach and defensive coordinator for Perles from 1983-87. His “Gang Green” defense helped the Spartans win the 1987 Big Ten championship and defeat USC in the Rose Bowl.
Saban left Michigan State in 1988 to be secondary coach for the Houston Oilers. In 1990, he was head coach at Toledo. The Browns hired him away the next year.
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