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NEWBERRY, S.C. (AP) -- Newberry defensive coordinator Todd Knight will take over as head football coach.

College president Mitchell Zais made the announcement Friday.  Knight takes over for Zak Willis, who was fired this week after six seasons at the NCAA Division II program.

Willis was abruptly let go only three days after Newberry completed spring football drills.  The team was 11-2 in 2006, winning its first South Atlantic Conference title and making its first NCAA playoffs. They went 6-4 last season.

Knight headed up Newberry's defense under Willis.

Knight also has been an assistant at Charleston Southern, Lees-McRae and Gardner-Webb.

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