Making Some Changes

OXFORD, Miss. -­ With the addition of one new coach as well as the promotion of a graduate assistant to full-time status, Ole Miss head football coach Ed Orgeron announced Tuesday a realignment of duties for several members of his staff.

John Thompson, who joined Orgeron’s staff last month as defensive coordinator, will also coach the defensive backs, while David Corrao, who for the last two years has served as a defensive graduate assistant, has been promoted to a full-time assistant coaching position. Corrao will coach linebackers.

Corrao, who joined Orgeron’s first staff in the spring of 2005, helped mold Rebel defenders such as All-American Patrick Willis. Prior to arriving at Ole Miss, Corrao spent one season on the Northeastern University football staff as an assistant working with the tight ends.

Before working at NU, Corrao coached at three high schools before landing a graduate assistant position at Syracuse in 2000 and was with the Orangemen through the 2003 season.

Orgeron also announced assistant defensive backs coach Tony Hughes is now coaching tight ends, while last year’s tight ends coach, Hugh Freeze, has switched to coach the wide receivers. Freeze will continue his duties as recruiting coordinator.