Paul Rhoads, Pitt’s defensive coordinator for the past eight seasons, has left Pitt for the… Paul Rhoads, Pitt’s defensive coordinator for the past eight seasons, has left Pitt for the same position at Auburn.

Rhoads also coached the defensive secondary at Pitt for seven years, but focused this past season on the linebackers.

He proved to be quite successful working with that position, and Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop led the nation in tackles and was named to several All-American teams in his first year as a starter. As a unit, Pitt’s defense was ranked fifth nationally and allowed just 297 yards per game.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the leading candidates to replace Rhoads are current defensive-line coach Greg Gattuso and Carolina Panthers defensive-line coach Sal Sunseri – a former Pitt star linebacker in the 1970s.

Rhoads declined an offer from Auburn in 2002 and was a candidate to replace Walt Harris as Pitt’s head coach in 2004 – a position, of course, that went to Dave Wannstedt.

Rhoads reportedly told Wannstedt of his decision to leave on Wednesday night, which is less than one week after Jeff Hafley was promoted to secondary coach.