TUSCALOOSA — Alabama has hired Billy Napier as wide receivers coach, coach Nick Saban announced Friday.

Napier replaces Mike Groh, who was hired this week by the Chicago Bears.

"We are glad to have Billy back on our staff," Saban said. "He did an outstanding job when he was with us in 2011, and he was the first call we made when this position opened. He is a sharp young coach and he'll be a great addition working with the wide receivers. We also feel that he will be a tremendous asset to our staff in the recruiting process."

Napier spent 2012 as Colorado State's assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach under Jim McElwain. Napier served Alabama as an offensive analyst for the 2011 national championship season.

"I have a great appreciation for the University of Alabama and the program coach Saban runs, especially after spending the 2011 season in Tuscaloosa," said Napier. "From a professional development standpoint, it was the best year in my coaching career. When you've been here and seen it first-hand, you know that you want to try and get back to Alabama if that opportunity ever presents itself. I am excited to be back and appreciate Coach Saban offering me the position. We had a great experience a year ago and we have a lot of great friends here. It is a special place because of the history and tradition, but also because of the people you work with and the fans and supporters of the program."

Napier spent five years at Clemson before his first stint with the Tide. Napier became Clemson's youngest coordinator in 2009, taking over the offense at age 29.

In his first year as offensive coordinator, Clemson set the school record for points scored (436) and won the ACC Atlantic Division.

He served as the recruiting coordinator for three seasons (2006-08).

Napier, who played at Furman, worked as the quarterbacks coach at South Carolina State in 2005, where he helped the Bulldogs to a 9-2 season.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma hired former Auburn assistant Jay Boulware as its tight end coach Friday.

Boulware spent the past four seasons at Auburn on Gene Chizik's staff, including the Tigers' national championship season in 2010.

Before that, he served alongside Chizik at Iowa State. He has also worked at Stanford, Utah, Arizona and Northern Illinois.

Boulware played for Oklahoma's archrival, Texas, as an offensive lineman.

Coach Bob Stoops said in a statement that Oklahoma will benefit from Boulware's "recruiting relationships across the country" and his impressive track record as a coach. Stoops also expects Boulware to take on special teams responsibilities, which were also part of his job at Auburn.

Copyright 2013 The Decatur Daily. All rights reserved. AP contributed to this report.