GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Dan Mullen has hired Todd Grantham as the team’s defensive coordinator, bringing a third assistant with him from Mississippi State.

Mullen announced the move Thursday. Grantham, a Broyles Award nominee as the nation’s top college assistant, joins former MSU assistants Billy Gonzales and John Hevesy on Mullen’s staff.

Grantham has 31 years of coaching experience, including 11 as a defensive coordinator. He served in that role at Mississippi State (2017), Louisville (2014-16), Georgia (2010-13) and with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns (2005-07).

Grantham spent 11 years in the NFL, most recently serving as the defensive line coach for Dallas. He was with the Cowboys for two years (2008-09) after spending three seasons with the Browns and six as defensive line coach for the Houston Texans (2002-04) and Indianapolis Colts (1999-01).

Grantham helped Mississippi State engineer one of the nation’s best defensive turnarounds in 2017. After ranking 110th in total yards allowed (459.1 yards per game) and 93rd in scoring defense (31.8 points per game) in 2016, the Bulldogs ranked 10th in defense (302) and 24th in scoring defense (20.4) this season.

Conversely, Florida’s defense went from allowing 16.8 points per game in 2016 to 27.3 this season.
Details of Grantham’s contract were not immediately available, but ESPN reported that he will sign a three-year deal. He was making more than $1 million per year at Mississippi State.

Grantham posted a farewell message on Twitter Thursday thanking Mississippi State fans and players.

“I want to thank the community of Starkville for making my family feel so comfortable. We felt a part of the community in our short time here,” Grantham wrote. “No matter the time spent, Mississippi State will always be a special place. We were able to re-establish the identity on defense the program deserves! I want to thank the players for allowing us to be a part of their lives and embracing the changes we made with great work ethic. Being able to improve from 110th to 10th in total defense in just one season is one of the greatest accomplishments I’ve ever witnessed.”

At Florida, Grantham replaces Randy Shannon, who was named the Gators’ interim head coach after the school and former head coach Jim McElwain agreed to mutually part ways on Oct. 28.

Shannon was not retained by Mullen to be a part of his staff at Florida.

Mullen also has reportedly fired offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, defensive backs coach Corey Bell, receivers coach Kerry Dixon, tight ends coach Greg Nord and defensive assistant Robb Akey, although the school has not announced those moves.