FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas secondary coach Lorenzo Ward has left the Razorbacks to become defensive coordinator at South Carolina.

The Gamecocks announced the hiring Monday. Ellis Johnson, South Carolina's previous defensive coordinator, will now become assistant head coach for the defense under Ward.

"It's a blessing to have the opportunity to work with a great friend of mine in Ellis Johnson," Ward said. "Also having the responsibility of carrying a coordinator title is a huge step to help me someday become a head coach."

This is the second straight offseason a coach has left Arkansas to become South Carolina's defensive coordinator. Johnson left last January to join the Gamecocks.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino released a statement on Ward's departure.

"Lorenzo Ward has left our football staff to take a coaching position at another institution," Petrino said. "We appreciate the hard work and efforts Lorenzo gave to the Arkansas football program in his tenure."

In the last week, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier also hired offensive line coach Eric Wolford, quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus and strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald.

"If you look at the resume and coaching achievements of our staff, this is the most impressive staff I've been able to put together," Spurrier said.

Ward, 41, will also coach safeties for the Gamecocks.

"Coach Petrino is one of the smartest offensive minds I've been around, which really helped me grow as a defensive coach," Ward said. "I was treated very well at the University of Arkansas, but the opportunity to work with Ellis Johnson and the coordinator title made this opportunity very appealing."