 On December 13, 2011, Colorado State hired Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain to take over as head coach.McElwain remained with the Crimson Tide through the remainder of the bowl season before taking over at CSU, and won a second national championship with Alabama when they defeated LSU 21-0 in the BCS Championship Game on January 9, 2012.McElwain's tenure at CSU began on a high note.