National Football League

VanGorder to take over Auburn's defense

Published Jan. 8, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is leaving Atlanta to take the same job at Auburn.

Falcons head coach Mike Smith said Monday that VanGorder, who has been Atlanta's defensive coordinator for four years, is leaving for the new job.

VanGorder's move continues his pattern of moving back and forth between college and NFL positions. He is the former coach at Georgia Southern and former defensive coordinator at Georgia. He left Georgia to become an assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005 before coaching at Georgia Southern and moving back to the NFL with the Falcons.

Smith said VanGorder ''has been an integral part of our success here over the last four years.''

The Falcons' season ended with Sunday's 24-2 loss to the Giants in an NFC wild-card game.