Eastern Kentucky absorbed a rare late-spring staff subtraction this week when Eric Mathies departed for Charles Huff's Southern Miss program.
Now, Walt Wells is making a major move to replace Mathies.
Eastern Kentucky is hiring Dayton LeBlanc away from Kirby Smart's Georgia program to be its new defensive line coach.
LeBlanc previously had served as Georgia's assistant defensive line coach.
A former North Texas defensive lineman, LeBlanc played several seasons for the Mean Green before he was forced to medically retire from the sport prior to the 2022 season.
EKU is coming off its second FCS Playoff appearance in three years under Wells, who also guided the team to the 2021 Opportunity Bowl, where they beat Jacksonville State.
The Colonels are scheduled to open their 2025 season against Louisville Aug. 30, as the rejuvenated Cardinals enter Year 2 under Jeff Brohm.