VanGorder returns as defensive coordinator

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Former linebackers coach had left for South Carolina just a month ago

Brian VanGorder's stint with South Carolina and Steve Spurrier didn't last long.

The Falcons announced Thursday that VanGorder would return to the team as the defensive coordinator under new head coach Mike Smith.

VanGorder, the former University of Georgia defensive coordinator, served as the Falcons' linebackers coach last season and left to become South Carolina's defensive coordinator in mid-December after former Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino left after 13 games to coach at Arkansas.

The Falcons also announced two other staff hirings Thursday. Emmitt Thomas, who served as the team's interim head coach for the final three games after Petrino's departure, was named assistant head coach. Bill Musgrave will also remain with the team as quarterbacks coach.

News of VanGorder's return to the Falcons broke Thursday morning. At his afternoon introductory news conference, Smith said: "Brian and I worked together in Jacksonville. We've had conversations [about VanGorder rejoining the Falcons]. We are having conversations now."

Spurrier said VanGorder came to him Thursday morning to inform him he was returning to the Falcons.

The team announced the hirings immediately after Smith's news conference.

A month ago, VanGorder declared to the Journal-Constitution: "I'm a college guy." When asked if he was sure, he replied, "I've declared. I'm committed."

Since leaving Georgia after a successful four-year run, VanGorder has reinvented himself annually. He left after the 2004 season to coach linebackers with the Jacksonville Jaguars, under Smith, thinking it was time to take the professional track. He left there in 2006 to be the head coach at Georgia Southern. After one unsuccessful season, he jumped from Statesboro to the Falcons' assistant job.

"I'll enjoy all the things about college football that I always have and I won't look back at the NFL," VanGorder said in December.

"That's something I've put behind. I'm ready to finish my career as a college football coach."

In another twist, South Carolina named Ellis Johnson defensive coordinator to replace VanGorder. Just one month ago, Johnson was named to the same post at Arkansas — under Petrino.

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