FAYETTEVILLE — Taver Johnson has been hired as a defensive assistant coach at Purdue, according to multiple reports.
Johnson coached the last two seasons at Arkansas. He was the Razorbacks' cornerbacks coach last year after working as the team's linebackers coach in 2012. Johnson was an assistant head coach his first year at Arkansas, serving as the team's interim coach in April 2012 after Bobby Petrino's suspension and subsequent firing.
At Purdue Johnson will reunite with Darrell Hazel, the Boilermakers head coach. The two previously coached together as assistants at Ohio State.
Johnson is the third defensive assistant coach to leave Bret Bielema's staff this off-season. Charlie Partridge was hired as head coach at Florida Atlantic in December and Chris Ash accepted a co-defensive coordinator position at Ohio State last month.
Bielema hired Robb Smith last week to coordinate the Razorbacks' defense. Rory Segrest was hired last month as the team's defensive line coach.