LSU hires new defensive coordinator

By The Associated Press | The Natchez Democrat

Published Tuesday, January 6, 2009

BATON ROUGE (AP) — John Chavis, a veteran defensive coordinator with 20 years of experience in the Southeastern Conference, was chosen as LSU’s new defensive coordinator on Monday.

Chavis, who will also coach linebackers, is replacing co-defensive coordinators Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory. Peveto has been named head coach at Northwestern State, while Mallory is headed to New Mexico as defensive coordinator.

‘‘John Chavis is a tremendous coach who has a great deal of success over a long period of time in the SEC,’’ coach Les Miles said. ‘‘The defense that he runs speaks to the fact that he knows what he’s doing.’’

During his 14 years as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, the Volunteers ranked among the SEC’s top four in total defense 10 times. During that period Tennessee won at least nine games 11 times.

The Volunteers won a school-record 13 games on their way to capturing the BCS National Championship in 1998. The team had 11 wins in 1995, 1997 and 2001 and won 10 games in 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2007.

‘‘Year in and year out, his defenses at Tennessee have been among the best not only in our conference, but nationwide. We are excited to have him on board,’’ Miles said.

Chavis has been a college coach for 31 years — 20 of which were spent at Tennessee. He also coached at Alabama A&M and Alabama State.

In 2006, Chavis was named the American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.