VanGorder named Louisville defensive coordinator

Brian VanGorder was named defensive coordinator at Louisville on Monday, bringing an impressive resume that includes a Broyles Award as the top college assistant in the nation. "I've known Brian for a long time and have an extremely high level of respect for everything he's accomplished throughout his coaching career," Cardinals coach Bobby Petrino said. "With over 30 years of coaching experience, Brian has coordinated defenses in the National Football League, and at the highest level in college football. He's an outstanding teacher, a great communicator, and has displayed the ability to develop players at every level." VanGorder, 58, served as defensive coordinator at Georgia (2001-04), Auburn (2012) and Notre Dame (2014-15). He won the Broyles Award in 2003 after the Bulldogs allowed the third-fewest points in the nation. VanGorder was linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons under Petrino in 2007. Petrino quit 13 games into the season. VanGorder was promoted to Atlanta's defensive coordinator from 2008-11 with the Falcons making the playoffs in three of those seasons. "I am truly excited about the opportunity to join the football program at the University of Louisville," VanGorder said. "Coach Petrino has built an impressive program here and I know that the culture that he has created here at Louisville is something that I believe I fit well with and will be comfortable in. I look forward to the challenge ahead and being a productive part in this successful program." VanGorder served as a defensive analyst at Georgia in 2016 and at Oklahoma State in 2017. Louisville was 62nd in total defense last season under coordinator Peter Sirmon after finishing 14th under Todd Grantham in 2016. VanGorder inherits a defense that lost nine full-time or part-time starters.