Alabama A&M hires Nevada assistant Spady as coach

Published Dec. 30, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Alabama A&M has hired Nevada assistant coach James Michael Spady to lead the football program.

Athletic director Bryan Hicks announced the hiring on Monday to replace Anthony Jones.

Spady has been tight ends coach and co-offensive line coach for Nevada the past four years. He was Grambling State's offensive coordinator after stints at North Carolina Central and South Carolina State.

Spady began his coaching career in 1995 at his alma mater UTEP, where he was the starting center from 1985-1988.

Hicks says the hiring ''represents another giant step on our journey toward excellence in athletics.''

Nevada coach Brian Polian calls Spady ''a terrific football mind, teacher, and an exceptional recruiter who will no doubt raise the standard of Bulldog football.''

Spady will be introduced at a news conference on Friday.