USF has hired Chris Cosh as defensive coordinator to replace Mark Snyder.

Cosh, who served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State from 2009-11, worked with USF coach Skip Holtz when the two were assistants at South Carolina from 1999-2003.

More from the school's release:

In total, Cosh has served as a defensive coordinator for 15 of his 28 seasons, including stops at Kansas State, Maryland, South Carolina, Michigan St. and Illinois.

“I’m excited that Chris has agreed to be the defensive coordinator here,” Holtz said. “We’re very familiar with each other, having coached together for five years at South Carolina. I’ve got great respect for him as a teacher and communicator. He’s had a lot of success building some of the top programs in the country and I’m looking forward to working with him again here at USF.”

Cosh, who was in his second tour of duty at Kansas State, helped rebuild the Wildcats under Bill Snyder, culminating in a Cotton Bowl appearances after the 2011 season. The Wildcats improved drastically in 2011, cutting almost 100 yards per game off their rushing defense to rank 37th nationally. K-State gave up less than 400 yards per game and under 28 points despite playing in a league that had six of the nation’s top 13 offenses. Cosh’s defense produced three All-Big 12 performers last year, including linebacker Arthur Brown. In 2010, Cosh helped direct a Wildcat defense that saw a true freshman earn All-Big 12 honors for the first time on a Snyder-coached team when safety Ty Zimmerman had a breakout rookie season. Zimmerman was named to numerous Freshman All-America teams and received votes for the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award after recording 74 tackles, three interceptions, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

At USF, he has plenty to work with headed into 2012. The Bulls ranked No. 4 in the nation in sacks with 39, and return many key contributors up front -- including Ryne Giddins, Cory Grissom, Elkino Watson and Julius Forte. Linebackers DeDe Lattimore and Sam Barrington also return. The major holes to fill are in the secondary, where Quenton Washington and Jerrell Young are gone.

The key for this defense is to be more sound and disciplined. Too many times this season USF had key lapses late in games that ended up contributing to some of the close losses. USF lost five games by a touchdown or less. Contrast that to the team Cosh left behind: Kansas State won eight games by a touchdown or less. It was a huge reason the Wildcats made a resurgence this season.