Ole Miss hires Clemson's Herring as defensive coordinator

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - Reggie Herring, the defensive coordinator at Clemson the last five years, will become Mississippi&#39;s third defensive coordinator in the past three years. <br> <br> ``Reggie Herring has been a proven winner throughout his career,&#39;&#39; said Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe, who made the announcement Wednesday. <br> <br> The 42-year-old Herring, who was a standout linebacker at Florida State from 1978-80, will also coach linebackers. <br> <br> He replaces Don Lindsey who was let go after just one year with Ole Miss. Lindsey replaced Art Kaufman, who was fired after the 2000 season. <br> <br> The Rebels&#39; smallish defensive front, which featured just one 300-pound player, had trouble stopping the run, allowing 214 yards per game on the ground. <br> <br> That doomed the Rebels (7-4) late in the season. They lost three of their last four and missed out on a bowl bid for the first time in five years. <br> <br> Ole Miss ranked last in the Southeastern Conference in rushing defense, but first in passing defense. The Rebels also ranked near the bottom of the conference in points allowed at 28.2 per game. <br> <br> In Herring&#39;s five years as defensive coordinator, Clemson ranked in the top 20 in the nation in rushing defense three times, including a No. 6 ranking in 1997. <br> <br> He had a two top-25 scoring defenses and two top-25 total defenses. <br> <br> The Tigers ranked 15th, 25th, 35th, 37th, and 71st in total defense during his five seasons. <br> <br> ``He coaches defense the same way he played the game, with great intensity and passion,&#39;&#39; Cutcliffe said. ``He has been successful at every level of his career and has worked to become one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the country.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Herring began his coaching career at Oklahoma State in 1982. He served stints at Auburn and TCU before becoming linebackers coach at Clemson in 1993. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m excited about the new challenges my family and I will face at Ole Miss,&#39;&#39; Herring said. ``Coach Cutcliffe had a lot to do with my decision to leave Clemson. It&#39;s a great opportunity to be able to work with such a highly respected coach.&#39;&#39;