FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas secondary coach Lorenzo Ward told The Morning News on Monday that he has accepted a job to be South Carolina's defensive coordinator.

Ward said Ellis Johnson was willing to give up his title as South Carolina's defensive coordinator to get his longtime friend to join Steve Spurrier's staff.

"He was willing to give up his coordinator title to me," Ward said, adding that he's not sure what Johnson's new title at South Carolina will be.

Ward said he agreed to a three-year deal with the Gamecocks and will officially start work Friday.

"The opportunity to have a title as a position coach intrigued me, and my ultimate goal is to be a head coach. With a title (as a defensive coordinator), it increases your chances of doing that," Ward said. "So that was the major factor in the deal, but Ellis and I are very close. Been close a long time, and the opportunity to work with him will be great also."