Missouri O-coordinator takes Cowboys' job

Dave Christensen, the architect of the offense that vaulted Missouri back to national prominence and helped make quarterback Chase Daniel the school's first Heisman Trophy finalist, is the new head coach at Wyoming.

Christensen agreed to terms Sunday on a five-year contract with a base salary of $180,000 and a total package that could exceed $750,000 per year, and the school announced the deal Monday night.

"We are thrilled to be able to attract a coach with the experience that coach Christensen brings to our program," athletic director Tom Burman said in a statement on the university's Web site. "He is one of the great offensive minds in college football.

"With Dave leading Cowboy football, I believe our program will make dramatic progress in the coming years and return to a position of prominence in the Mountain West Conference."

Interestingly, Wyoming and Missouri will play for the first time in a two-game home-and-home series in 2011 in Columbia, Mo., and 2012 in Laramie, Wyoming.

Christensen, who transformed Missouri's offense by bringing in the spread in 2005, is the first assistant to leave Pinkel's staff since he was hired in 2001. He actually has been with Pinkel much longer than that, serving as his offensive line coach for four years and offensive coordinator for another four at Toledo.

"It's a great state and it has rich football tradition," Christensen said. "They've got a lot of great kids, blue-collar kids that work extremely hard and are extremely dedicated.

"They've got the resources to be successful and I think it's an appealing job."

Pinkel said Christensen would remain with the 19th-ranked Tigers through the Big 12 championship game Saturday against No. 3 Oklahoma and whatever bowl game they play in, although he'll devote some time to hiring a staff and recruiting for Wyoming.

"He'll finish his responsibilities. That's his desire," Pinkel said.

SWINNEY TO HEAD CLEMSON: Clemson is sticking with Dabo Swinney, giving the Tigers' interim coach a five-year contract Monday to replace former boss Tommy Bowden.

Swinney's salary and possible incentives in the deal won't be released until the contract is approved by the university's Board of Trustees Compensation Committee.

Athletic director Terry Don Phillips said Swinney was one of college football's bright young coaches and he was proud to lock him up long-term.