Former linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Brent Pry was promoted into the full-time coordinator spot, as announced by Penn State on Sunday.

Congratulations to Coach Pry, named #PennState Defensive Coordinator. #WeAre https://t.co/fuul48kWRc pic.twitter.com/W5RsuUmoXx

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 10, 2016

Pry spent the last few years as part of James Franklin’s mostly unchanged staff (other than the firing of John Donovan and Bob Shoop’s departure for Tennessee). Pry worked with Shoop as his co-defensive coordinator since their days at Vanderbilt.

It seemed like this was the obvious move for the Nittany Lions’ program to make, and it took little time in making it. Rather than embark on a national search like it did for new Offensive Coordinator Joe Moorhead, it took the defense that already works well and has a good system in place, and handed the reins to the former No. 2 guy in Pry.

In Franklin’s staff’s two years at Penn State, Pry worked with 2014’s elite linebacking corps led by Mike Hull and Nyeem Wartman-White, then this season had to play mostly young guns after graduations and Wartman-White going down in the season-opener with an injury.

In addition to Pry’s promotion, Penn State announced that cornerbacks coach Terry Smith will become assistant head coach while defensive line coach Sean Spencer will be the run game coordinator.