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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- Former Southern Mississippi assistant Grady Brown has been hired by South Carolina to coach defensive backs and help with special teams.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier announced the hiring Friday. Brown fills out a staff that had plenty of offseason turnover as the team won 11 games for the first time in South Carolina history.

"We’re pleased to announce the hiring of Grady Brown, a sharp, young defensive secondary coach who has had much success the last three years at Southern Miss," said Coach Spurrier. "He will also assist Joe Robinson with the special teams. He and Joe were together at LSU and know each other well. He will fit in extremely well here and be an excellent addition to our staff."

Brown is the fourth new assistant and fifth staffer brought in by Spurrier.

Defensive head Ellis Johnson left for the head coaching job at Southern Miss. Special teams coach John Butler and strength coach Craig Fitzgerald left for jobs at Penn State. Running backs coach Jay Graham left for his alma mater of Tennessee. Assistant Jeep Hunter was let go by Spurrier last week.

Spurrier said Brown is a sharp, young coach who has had success.

"I’m excited to work with Lorenzo Ward, someone I’ve known since I was 17," said Brown. "It should be a smooth transition and a blessed opportunity for me to work with someone I’ve known for such a long time. I also am excited to have the opportunity to work with Coach Spurrier. He is such a well-respected coach and has done some great things here at South Carolina. I’m looking forward to becoming part of the Gamecock family."

2012 South Carolina Coaching Staff Assignments:

Steve Spurrier, Head Coach

Kirk Botkin, Linebackers/Spurs; Grady Brown, Secondary/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator; Shawn Elliott, Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator; Brad Lawing, Defensive Line; G.A. Mangus, Quarterbacks; Joe Robinson, Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends; Everette Sands, Running Backs; Steve Spurrier Jr., Wide Receivers/Passing Game Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator; Lorenzo Ward, Defensive Coordinator

(The Associate Press contributed to this report.)