It was tough for Eric Winters to hear Auburn co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Charles Kelly was taking the head coaching job at Jacksonville State. But disappointment turned into pride when the Auburn safety signee heard on Friday that his primary recruiter was taking a new job.

Jacksonville State University made public today what Gamecock fans have known since Saturday: Auburn co-defensive coordinator Charles Kelly will be their new head football coach.

Jacksonville State is hiring Auburn co-defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, a former Gamecocks assistant, as its new head football coach, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Friday.

Charles Kelly will be the next head coach at Jacksonville State football. It’s time for Gamecocks fans to get to know their next coach. Kelly comes to the Gamecocks after a one-year stint with Auburn as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

Charles Kelly has been part of some of college football's biggest programs and a couple national championships along the way. With that backdrop, he's moving with the swiftness as he begins to assemble his inaugural staff now that he's taking over at Jacksonville State in his native Alabama.

We are beyond excited to welcome Charles Kelly back to Jacksonville State,” said Jacksonville State Vice President for Athletics Greg Seitz. “Coach Kelly’s extensive experience, championship pedigree,