Texas Tech has hired Art Kaufman as its fourth defensive coordinator in four years.

Kaufman, a 28-year veteran in college coaching, was interim defensive coordinator at North Carolina this past season after a staff shake-up sparked by the firing of coach Butch Davis.

"I looked at a lot of candidates for this job but when it came down to it, I turned to a guy that I knew could get the job done," Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said. "Art is one of the best defensive coaches in the business and that is obvious when you take a look at the product he has put out on the field over the years. He has experience in the SEC, ACC and Conference USA and I know he will soon make his mark here in the Big 12."

He has 10 years of experience as a coordinator and is the Aggies' first defensive coordinator with at least three years of experience since Greg McMackin in 2000.

Kaufman coached the linebackers at North Carolina, then was promoted to coordinator after Everett Withers was moved up to head coach.

Kaufman follows Chad Glasgow, who left the Aggies after both sides agreed to part ways after just one year and returned to TCU.

James Willis was fired before Texas Tech's bowl game in 2010, also after just one season on the job.

Ruffin McNeill was the defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2009, then left to become the head coach at East Carolina.

David Ubben covers the Big 12 for ESPN.com.