Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

AUBURN, Ala. (WACH/AP) -- Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has hired Clemson co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Charlie Harbison to the same position.

Malzahn announced the Harbison's hiring Sunday. He will work with defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson.

Harbison spent the past four seasons with Clemson and previously worked with Johnson during one of two stints at Alabama and another at Mississippi State.

He replaced Johnson as Mississippi State's defensive coordinator in 2008.

Malzahn calls Harbison "a true professional and one of the class guys in college coaching."

Harbison had been at Clemson since the 2008 Gator Bowl against Nebraska. He coached Clemson’s defensive backs on Saturday during Clemson’s first practice as it prepares for the Chick-fil-A Bowl against LSU on December 31. But, he decided Saturday night to make the move to Auburn.

"I want to thank Charlie Harbison for a great job the last four years," said head coach Dabo Swinney. "He has helped us immensely in all phases. He has been a tireless recruiter and coach who has represented this program with class. He is one of the most respected coaches in the business and we wish him well."

Swinney announced Sunday that Wesley Goodwin, who had worked in defensive research development, would move on the field to coach the secondary in the interim period.