McElwain announces new coaching hire, but not what you'd expect

On Wednesday afternoon the Central Michigan football program announced Chad Bumphis was being hired as the new wide receivers coach.

Only strange thing about that news is that the Chippewas already have a wide receivers coach in Kevin Barbay. And so, let the speculation begin that Barbay will be promoted to offensive coordinator, filling the position left behind by Charlie Frye earlier this winter.

Barbay, who has coached alongside McElwain on multiple stops, was the front runner for the job (should they hire internally) before this most recent hire. Now, one would imagine that Barbay will be named the next CMU offensive coordinator at any moment.

As for the new wideouts coach at CMU, Bumphis joins the program after spending one season at Austin Peay. Prior to that he was a graduate assistant at both Buffalo and Utah after spending a season as the wide receivers coach at Iowa Wesleyan in 2016.

Bumphis played his college football at Mississippi State, leading the team in receiving in three of his four years. He was an All-Southeastern Conference Freshman in 2009 and named Second Team All-SEC in 2012. He currently ranks second in school history in receiving yards.

Current CMU coach Jim McElwain was the offensive coordinator at Alabama from 2008-2011, and had the chance to see Bumphis play in his prime. While that connection is small, it's worth noting. Bumphis had a short stay in the NFL, mainly as a practice squad player, before turning to the coaching ranks.

This is an interesting hire for McElwain and Bumphis was a very strong player at a high level at the position. But this hire could set in motion a bigger piece to the puzzle for Barbay's promotion. Only time will tell.