Because new Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin is known primarily for his offensive background, how he fills out his defensive coaching staff will go a long way in determining whether he succeeds in College Station.

According to a report from Texags.com, Sumlin is aggressively courting Pat Narduzzi, the defensive coordinator at Michigan State:

billyliucci Billy Liucci Michigan St DC Pat Narduzzi in Aggieland today as Sumlin works to land his guy.

Narduzzi, a 45-year old who played LB at Rhode Island, has risen quickly in the coaching ranks over the last decade, from serving as a LB coach at North Illinois to stints as a defensive coordinator at Miami, Cincinnati and Michigan State, where he's spent the last five years working under Spartans coach Mark Dantonio.

His defense, ranked 10th in the nation, helped Michigan State to a 11-3 record and an Outback Bowl victory.

For Narduzzi, a job in the SEC, the most high-profile conference in the country, could be a stepping stone for a head coaching gig of his own.

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