Georgia Southern fans weren’t the only ones taking notice of the Eagles’ defensive accomplishments in 2010.
    Defensive coordinator Brent Pry has been offered a position at Vanderbilt.
    Georgia Southern coach Jeff Monken confirmed Thursday that Pry accepted the offer, but that Pry had not yet officially joined the Commodores’ defensive staff.
    Monken said that a search for Pry’s replacement will begin after the completion of recruiting. National Signing Day is on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Georgia Southern will unveil the 2011 signing class at a 3 p.m. press conference Wednesday at the Parrish Football Center on campus.
    As GSU releases National Letter of Intent confirmations throughout the day beginning at 9 a.m., updates will be available on StatesboroHerald.com
    ESPN.com blogger Chris Low reports that Vanderbilt hired William and Mary defensive coordinator Bob Shoop to take over the Commodores’ defense, and that Pry accepted the position of co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
    Pry will join the staff of first-year Vanderbilt coach James Franklin. Franklin replaces Robbie Caldwell, who took over July 14, 2010 when Bobby Johnson unexpectedly retired. The Commodores finished 2-10 and 1-7 in the Southeastern Conference in 2010.
    Pry inherited a GSU defense which allowed 27.5 points per game in 2009 under the previous regime. He changed the scheme from a three-man front to a 4-3 look and changed the positions of many defensive players to add more speed to the lineup.
    With the new look, Pry’s defense improved to allow just 18.5 points per game in 2010.
    The Eagles ranked seventh in the nation in total defense (286.9 yards per game), eighth in the nation in scoring defense, 14th in passing defense (159.9 ypg) and 24th in rushing defense (127 ypg) in 2010.
    Pry coached two Associated Press All-Americans — Brent Russell (First Team) and Laron Scott (Third Team) — and four All-Southern Conference players, including Russell (First Team), Scott (First Team), Josh Rowe (Second Team) and Roderick Tinsley (Second Team).
    Georgia Southern returns a defense that features 10 of the 11 players who started in the loss to Delaware in the 2010 Football Championship Subdivision semifinals. The lone graduate from the starting 11 was cornerback Carson Hill.

    Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.