Mississippi State safeties coach Maurice Linguist has taken the same position with P.J. Fleck’s new staff at Minnesota, the school has confirmed.

The 2016 season was Linguist’s only year in Starkville, where MSU finished last in the SEC (14th) in pass defense with 281.5 yards allowed per game.

Prior to joining the Bulldogs staff, he had spent two seasons as the defensive passing game coordinator for Iowa State. He also had stops at Buffalo, James Madison, and Valdosta State.

On Wednesday, Mississippi State announced a change at defensive coordinator, naming Louisville’s Todd Grantham to replace Peter Sirmon, who subsequently joined the Cardinals in the same role.