Gamecock's defensive coach heading to Southern Miss

Ellis Johnson, the assistant head coach for defense at South Carolina, is expected to become the head coach at Southern Miss., according to an ESPN.com report.

Johnson, 59, has run the Gamecocks' defense for the previous four seasons.

It wasn't clear whether Johnson would join Southern Miss immediately or stay with the Gamecocks through the Capital One Bowl Jan. 2 against Nebraska.

Johnson served as head coach at The Citadel from 2001-03. In addition to South Carolina, he was defensive coordinator at Alabama, Clemson, Mississippi State, Appalachian State and Southern Miss.