Boise State defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has been hired to take the same position at Tennessee.

Wilcox was the Broncos defensive coordinator for four seasons after spending three years as linebackers coach at California. The 32-year old was a grad assistant at Boise State prior to joining Cal.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity," Wilcox said in a press release. "I'm really humbled to be considered and for Coach Dooley to offer me the job."

Wilcox and UT head coach Derek Dooley faced each other in Western Athletic Conference play while Dooley was head coach at Louisiana Tech from 2007-2009. Boise State won all three games, including a 38-3 romping in 2008.

The Broncos defense finished ranked No. 14 nationally in both scoring defense and total defense last season, allowing an average 300.2 yards and 17.1 points per game and coming up with dominating performances in the Boise's' biggest games.

The unit held a TCU offense that averaged 38.3 points and 239.5 rushing yards per game to just 36 yards on the ground and 10 points in Boise's 17-10 win in the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl last month.

I think it's just one of those things that was too good to pass up, and I'm excited to be here. Justin Wilcox, new UT defensive coordinator

Wilcox's defense also proved to be stout in the Broncos' season-opening win over Oregon. Boise won that game 19-8, with the Ducks managing just 152 yards on offense including just 31 rushing yards. The Ducks averaged 231.7 rushing yards and 36.1 points per game over the entire season.

The Broncos were also stout on the defensive side of things in 2008. Nationally, Boise ranked No. 2 in pass defense, No. 3 in scoring defense and No. 20 in total defense.

"Boise State is an incredible place and I wasn't really looking to leave there," Wilcox said. "All this happened pretty fast.

"I think it's just one of those things that was too good to pass up, and I'm excited to be here."

Wilcox was a defensive back for the Oregon Ducks from 1995-99 and earned second team All-Pac-10 honors as a senior cornerback.

ESPN's Wendy Nix reported that Wilcox will arrive in Knoxville this afternoon, but he is not expected to be introduced at this evening's Signing Day press conference.