Former assistant coaches during the Mel Tucker era at Michigan State didn't get a good rap, and for good reason. It felt like a lot of assistants under Tucker just failed to live up to expectations, including Jay Johnson and Scottie Hazelton.
Johnson received much more criticism than his fellow coordinator because the offense just couldn't seem to move the ball consistently, but he still found a new job at the same position last offseason. Johnson was hired to be Wyoming's offensive coordinator -- he has struggled there this year.
Somehow, though, Hazelton who actually showed flashes of being a solid defensive coordinator hadn't found an opportunity at the same position elsewhere.
That changed on Friday.
Wake Forest has finalized the hiring of Scottie Hazelton as its new defensive coordinator, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 27, 2024
Hazelton was a special assistant to the head coach at Texas this year. Was previously a respected DC at places like Michigan State, Kansas State and… https://t.co/OoaOOZZCsh pic.twitter.com/XWbKTRYdky
According to reports, Hazelton was officially hired as Jake Dickert's defensive coordinator at Wake Forest which feels like a good spot for him. The Demon Deacons are moving on from Dave Clawson after a successful stretch, but Hazelton has his hands full because Wake Forest hasn't been known for its defense in years. He'll have a full rebuild on his hands -- again.
Hazelton did have a job this season in a lesser position as a special assistant to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and he helped the Longhorns make the College Football Playoff.
Now, he's headed to the ACC with Washington State's former head coach.
It'll be interesting to see if he lives up to the hype at Wake Forest because he is a respected defensive coordinator and was supposed to do big things in East Lansing but just never lived up to the hype. While he fell short in East Lansing, it'll be easy to root him on at Wake Forest.