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.

"I'm thrilled about joining the Gator Nation," McCarney said in a statement. "I have the utmost respect for Coach Meyer and the Florida football program. It is a dream come true for me and my wife, and we are looking forward to the opportunity."

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.

-- GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer