AUBURN, Alabama – Clemson secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator Charlie Harbison is expected to join Auburn's coaching staff in a move that will reunite him with an old coaching friend.

New Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson coached with Harbison three times, first at Clemson, then at Alabama and then Mississippi State. Harbison is considered one of the top recruiters in the game, and was named a Top 25 recruiter by Rivals in 2010.

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Reporting the hiring first were

and Rivals' Clemson website,

, who said the deal was done.

Harbison would be the third assistant hired by new coach Gus Malzahn, following Johnson and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.

Harbison is in his second tour with Clemson. He coached there from 1995-97 and returned in 2009. He also coached at Alabama twice (1998-2000 and 2003-06) as well as LSU (2001-02) and was the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State (2007-08).

Harbison played college ball at Gardner-Webb and played in the USFL in 1983 and 1984.

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