Texas A&M went for defensive familiarity with its new hire, as the Aggies have named Ron Cooper the team’s new defensive backs coach.

Cooper served as John Chavis’ defensive backs coach at LSU from 2009-11. Under his leadership, several LSU standouts made their way to the NFL, including Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne, and Patrick Peterson.

“I am very pleased to have Ron join our staff,” head coach Kevin Sumlin said via statement. “He has experience in the SEC, has been a head coach, a coordinator and has worked with Coach Chavis as well. He will work with our secondary as well as our entire team.”

The head coaching experience Sumlin is referring to was at Louisville from 1995-97, where he finished with an overall record of 13-20. He also served as the interim head coach at FIU in 2016 after Ron Turner was fired.

“I am excited about the opportunity Coach Sumlin has given me at Texas A&M,” Cooper said via statement. “I look forward to getting to know our players and working with our staff. I have been across the field from the Aggies on a few occasions. I look forward to being a part of the Aggie family.”

Cooper also has experience as an SEC defensive coordinator, serving as Mississippi State’s DC in 2003, and coaching at South Carolina from 2004-08.