So much for South Carolina; VanGorder to accept position as Falcons coordinator

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Brian VanGorder is on the move -- again.

Just weeks after accepting the job as South Carolina's defensive coordinator, the former University of Georgia coach is leaving to accept the same job with the Atlanta Falcons and new head coach Mike Smith.

VanGorder, 48, spent last year as the Falcons' linebackers coach. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier hired him as coordinator last month during Week 15 of the NFL season, but VanGorder worked Atlanta's last two games.

The Falcons hired Smith as head coach on Wednesday. Smith replaced Bobby Petrino, who abruptly left the Falcons last month after just 13 games of a 4-12 season.

VanGorder has held six jobs with four teams over the last five years.

In 2004, he resigned after four seasons as defensive coordinator at Georgia. Smith was Jacksonville's defensive coordinator when VanGorder became the Jaguars' linebackers coach in 2005.

VanGorder moved to Georgia Southern the next season, leading the Eagles to a 3-8 record as head coach.

``I worked with Brian in Jacksonville and have a tremendous amount of respect for him,'' Smith said. ``He brings an aggressive approach that I'm sure will benefit our defense.''

Petrino, who left the Falcons for Arkansas, lost his defensive coordinator on Thursday when South Carolina hired him in the same capacity.

Johnson left Petrino's staff after just four weeks.

Meanwhile, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has named Ellis Johnson the new defensive coordinator to replace Brian VanGorder.

Spurrier said VanGorder came to him this morning and said he would be returning to the Atlanta Falcons as defensive coordinator. VanGorder was linebackers coach for the troubled Falcons this season.

Johnson was hired to coach the defense at Arkansas last month. He held the same position with Mississippi State and prior to that he spent three seasons as the head coach at The Citadel.

Spurrier says Johnson will receive a three-year contract.