Gary Darnell was hired as defensive coordinator...

Gary Darnell was hired as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame after a half-season as interim coach at Florida and a successful stint there leading the Gators’ defensive unit.

Darnell, 40, succeeds Barry Alvarez, who held the post for two seasons before becoming head coach at Wisconsin.

Darnell said he is prepared to accept the high-pressure job of working with Coach Lou Holtz, a perfectionist disappointed with his 12-1 team’s No. 2 finish in its bid to repeat as national champions.