Storrs — UConn announced the hiring of Darrell Perkins as the defensive backs coach, a position that he held for the Huskies from 2010 to 2013, on Thursday.

Perkins spent the last three seasons as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Fordham University in New York.

"It is with great pleasure to announce that Darrell Perkins has rejoined our football family here at UConn," coach Randy Edsall said in a release. "Darrell understands what it takes to win at UConn and has developed some outstanding defensive backs in his previous stint at UConn. To add a coach and person with Darrell's experience and knowledge of the University of Connecticut will make us a better program."

Perkins helped coach a Fordham defense that led the Patriot League in tackles for loss with 7.5 per game in 2017. He also guided a defensive backs unit that was tops in the Patriot League in 2016 and fifth in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in defensive passing efficiency (106.61), and third in the league in interceptions with 13. The Rams ranked first in the league and 12th nationally in turnovers gained.

His resume also includes coaching defensive backs for Maryland in 2015 and cornerbacks at Old Dominion University in 2014.

During his previous coaching stint at UConn, Perkins helped develop Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz, two third-round selections in the 2013 NFL Draft, as well as future 2015 first-round pick, Byron Jones. UConn ranked first in the Big East and ninth in the country in total defense in 2012 and in 2010 it was tied for fifth in the nation in interceptions while earning a share of the Big East title and earning a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

"I am so excited to be back at UConn working with coach Edsall again," said Perkins, a 1990 graduate of Wyoming."He is a great person, coach and leader. I cannot wait to meet the players and then get to work doing the necessary things to have a great 2019 season."