It’s official: Will Muschamp is making his return to Auburn.

The school confirmed the hire late Friday night.

“I’m excited to welcome Will back to Auburn as our new defensive coordinator,” head coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. “Will is one of the top defensive minds in college football who has a great passion and energy for the game. He is a tremendous addition to our staff.”

Muschamp echoed Malzahn’s sentiments.

“My family, Carol, Jackson, Whit and I are excited about coming back to Auburn and I look forward to working with Coach Malzahn to win championships,” Muschamp said.

Muschamp previously served as defensive coordinator at Auburn in 2006-07. He spent the last four seasons as head coach at Florida.

The Nick Saban disciple’s Gators defense ranked ninth in total defense nationally in 2014, and his defenses have been ranked in the top eight during seven of the last eight seasons.

During Muschamp’s last stop in Auburn, his defense ranked third in scoring defense, allowing just 15.4 points per game and fourth in pass defense.

AL.com reports, citing a source, Muschamp’s salary will total more than $1.6 million annually, making him the highest-paid coordinator in the country. ESPN’s Joe Schad tweeted earlier Muschamp will have a three-year deal.

Muschamp is set to earn approximately $6.3 million over the next four years from Florida. His Auburn salary will not affect the buyout money he’s owed from the Gators.

Muschamp inherits an Auburn defense that allowed at least 31 points in each of its final four games, a program-worst. The respected defensive coach will team up with Malzahn’s offense, which has ranked in the top-20 nationally in each of his first two seasons at Auburn.

Malzahn said Sunday he was uncertain if the new coordinator would help prepare the defense for the bowl game. Current safeties coach Charlie Harbison likely will handle play-calling duties in the Outback Bowl against No. 19 Wisconsin, reports AL.com.

It is expected Travaris Robinson, a former Auburn defensive back and member of Muschamp’s Florida staff, will join Muschamp at Auburn. It is not yet known whether Muschamp will retain any of the Tigers’ current defensive assistants.