The University of Florida has officially announced what was reported here four hours ago, that USF assistant head coach and defensive line coach Dan McCarney has joined Urban Meyer's staff in the same capacity.

"Dan is a great addition to our coaching staff," Meyer said in a statement. "His experience as a head coach will be invaluable. He has a proven record as a recruiter and a development of talent and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him as a coach and a person."

McCarney spent one season with the Bulls, reuniting with coach Jim Leavitt after 12 seasons as head coach at Iowa State. In Gainesville, he will replace Greg Mattison, who had been co-defensive coordinator for three seasons and has accepted a job as defensive line coach of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.

"Dan did an outstanding job for us this season. I have known him since 1989, he's an excellent coach and will always be a good friend," Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said in a statement released by USF. "I couldn't be more impressed with the results he produced on the defensive line for us this season. We are going to miss him and wish him well."

While money isn't likely the motivating factor in the move, McCarney should make significantly more at Florida than he did at USF. He made $140,000 in 2007 as USF's second-highest-paid assistant; that same salary would have been the second-lowest among Florida's assistants. Mattison and co-defensive coordinator Charlie Strong each made $290,000 last year.

Leavitt now has two defensive openings on his staff, as cornerbacks coach Rich Rachel was moved into a non-coaching position as director of high school relations.

"My family and I have made the difficult decision to leave the University of South Florida," McCarney said in a statement released by USF. "I developed a tremendous bond with the staff and players and I can't say enough good things about them. I was fortunate enough to join the USF program for one of the most memorable seasons of my career and I will always have fond memories of my time as a Bull."