Clemson hires Troy's defensive coordinator

CLEMSON, S.C. - Vic Koenning, who led Troy University to a top 10 national ranking in scoring defense, has been named defensive coordinator at Clemson, the school said Wednesday.

"I have always said that the most important statistic in football is scoring defense," head coach Tommy Bowden said. "To have a great program you need to rank in the top 10 in the nation in defense and Vic accomplished this and much more this past season.

Troy's defense was first in the nation in interceptions (25) and tied for second in turnovers forced (32).

Koenning spent two seasons at Troy as the defensive coordinator and was head coach of Wyoming from 2000-02.

The school also said Marion Hobby, former assistant at Mississippi, had been hired as an assistant defensive coach.

STRONG CLASS FOR 'DOGS: The Georgia Bulldogs so far haven't had any problems attracting top prospects, despite losing high-profile assistant coaches.

With two weeks remaining until National Signing Day on Feb. 2, the Bulldogs already have received 16 nonbinding commitments. Concerns with the depth at safety and on the defensive line have been addressed with a strong recruiting class.

Kade Weston and C.J. Byrd, rated as five-star players by Insiders.com, gave their commitments to Georgia on Nov. 27.

The early NFL Draft departures of Thomas Davis and Odell Thurman, along with the loss of senior David Pollack and a stock load of juniors, also played a part.

After Davis declared, playing time looks brighter for Byrd. The two-way player from North Augusta, had 76 tackles and two interceptions at safety and averaged 37 yards on kickoff returns.

Weston, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive tackle from Little Silver, N.J., is an extremely athletic big man.

Douglass teammates Roderick Battle and Brandon Sesay, who each ranked 14th at defensive end in the country, made verbal commitments. Wide receiver Mohamed Massaqoui and quarterback Joe Cox of Charlotte have committed to be Bulldogs.

Jackets grab Garner: Highly regarded prep quarterback Jonathan Garner and linebacker Matthew Braman have verbally committed to play football at Georgia Tech.

Garner is the lone quarterback in the Yellow Jackets' recruiting class. The 6-foot-4 left-hander started four years at Daytona Beach's Mainland High School, winning 45 games.