Charles Henderson defensive coordinator Chuck Dunn has accepted a position with Jacksonville State University as inside linebackers coach.

Dunn, who coached with new Jacksonville State head coach Bill Clark at Prattville High School, along with Charles Henderson head coach Mike Dean confirmed the hire to The Messenger on Monday. Dunn’s official start date is Jan. 2.

“I am very thankful for the things that the city of Troy and Charles Henderson has done for me. Troy has always been my home,” Dunn said. “I can’t say enough about the defensive players and what they accomplished and what they mean to me. Also, I want to thank Lee Hicks (Superintendent of Troy City Schools) and Coach Dean. They have been great and I’m going to miss working with them.”

As defensive coordinator with the Trojans, Dunn helped guide the team to a 9-4 record including a berth in the third round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 4A playoffs where Charles Henderson fell to Dora, 33-21.

“I’m excited for him,” Dean said. “It’s a great opportunity for him and for his family to get back into college football. I can’t say enough about what he did for our program and for the kids.”

Dunn started his coaching career at Troy University where he served as a student assistant from 1994-96. He then coached at Charles Henderson for three seasons as an assistant before returning to Troy as the Trojans were making the transition to Division I as a graduate assistant during the 2000-2001 seasons.

During his time at Troy, Dunn met Bill Clark and joined him on the Prattville High School staff in 2002. From 2002-2007, the Lions were 78-5 and played in three Class 6A state title games, winning two.

Dunn followed Clark to the University of South Alabama where the duo helped build the school’s fledgling football program. In 2011, Dunn became the defensive coordinator at Oxford High School before joining the staff at Charles Henderson for the 2012 season.

Dean said he will likely take on the defensive coordinator’s role himself in 2013 and look to hire an assistant to fill the void left by Dunn.

“We’re going to continue to use the same terminology that Coach Dunn implemented. We have good numbers coming back and 35 or more signed up that didn’t play last year,” Dean said. “We’ll be getting back in the weight room after the holiday and get back to work.”

Dean also mentioned bringing in another offensive assistant to help coordinator Gregg Baker.

“We’re not going to turn the ball over next year,” said Dean. “The Dora game has been eating at me. We’re going to do what it takes to correct our mistakes and get to the next level.”