The UL Ragin’ Cajuns announced this afternoon, as expected, the hiring of former Texas Tech defensive coordinator James Willis as its replacement for ousted defensive coordinator Greg Stewart.

The former NFL linebacker arrives with a coaching resumé that is strong on experience with major-conference programs, including Auburn and one of Alabama’s national-championship teams in the SEC — but one that also has a blemish.

His hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, according to a news release from the school.

Willis played at Auburn, and later for the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks from 1993-99.

He coached linebackers at Rhode Island in 2004, at Temple in 2005 and at Auburn for three seasons from 2006-08.

In 2009, the same season the Crimson Tide beat Texas in the BCS national title game, Alabama hired Willis away from his alma mater to be its associate head coach.

He left Alabama after one season to become Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator under Tommy Tuberville.

"Of everybody we met," UL head coach Mark Hudspeth said, "obviously his resumé speaks for itself.

"This guy has worked under Nick Saban (at Alabama), he’s worked at Auburn and obviously he was defensive coordinator at Texas Tech as well as a successful player in the National Football League.

"He is highly regarded," Hudspeth added "as one of the best recruiters in the nation."

Willis was dismissed from Texas Tech, however, on Dec. 25, 2010 — during preparations for the Red Raiders’ upcoming TicketCity Bowl, and three days after a domestic violence incident involving his then- and-still wife at his Lubbock-area home.

According to reports by both Lubbock TV station Fox 34 and Al.com, Willis later "pleaded guilty to charges of assault and domestic violence and was sentenced to six months deferred probation."

Four months after being dismissed by Texas Tech, Willis was named linebackers coach of the Hartford Colonials — a team in a league, the United Football League, whose operations are now suspended.

UL’s announcement of the hiring is expected to come one day after NCAA National Signing Day.

"That is why it took so long for me to get to this point," said Hudspeth, who dismissed Stewart after the 2012 season. "I was very diligent in my research and background checks.

"And after careful considerations and visiting with many former colleagues that have worked with (Willis), I am very comfortable that we are hiring not only a really good football coach but also a really good person.

"Myself as well as everybody else," Hudspeth added, "is very comfortable that he has paid his dues and is ready now (to return to college coaching)."

Hudspeth said Wednesday that the Cajuns interviewed more than a half-dozen candidates for the position.

At one point, after initially considering Willis, they expanded their search, only to come back to Willis as their best fit for their vacancy.

The Cajuns also conducted extensive research into Willis’ background before making the hire.

"Everybody we contacted," Hudspeth said, "spoke highly of him, not only as a coach but as a person."