VIDEO: Larry Slade Press Conference

Slade takes over for Mike Clowney who was promoted to associate head coach in December. 

"Larry and I go back a long way, I've always admired his work, especially dealing with people." Sparks said. "There's no question of his quality of his ability as a football coach. What really excites me is his quality as a man of God and what he'll be able to bring in that realm, because that's the realm that matters."

Slade has more than 25 years of Division I experience under his belt as a defensive coach.  He spent a decade on Phillip Fulmer's staff as a secondary coach from 1999-2008 before heading to Louisville where he coached corners in 2009 and the secondary until 2012.

Other stops for Slade include Texas A&M (1994-98), Maryland (1992-93) and Washington (1986-91).   He spent this past year as an assistant at Central High School.

"This is a tremendous opportunity," Slade said. "Ken came to me and I hardly couldn't keep my joy back.  When you sow the right seeds, it's incredible what can happen. I'm unabashedly excited to be here and be able to lead men to Christ."

Slade, is a native of Pelham, N.C., who twice was named All-WVIAC while playing guard at Shepherd in the early 1970s. He was named Little All-America honorable mention in 1971 and later inducted into the Shepherd College Hall of Fame.

Slade's coaching career began at his alma mater with a nine-year stay before subsequent stops at Richmond, Howard, Southern Illinois, Washington and Maryland.

His six-year tenure as secondary coach at Washington was highlighted by a national championship season in 1991, during which the Huskies ranked first in NCAA statistics for pass efficiency defense.

"Our guys will play with great fundamentals and great technique," Slade said. "Furthermore, they will play with great effort.  These are habits that we have to develop and will not compromise on."

His 1997 Aggies secondary allowed only three passing touchdowns, fewest in the nation. Slade's first unit at Tennessee also sparkled by allowing 214.9 yards per game through the air and making 21 interceptions against only 15 touchdown passes.

Over the course of his final five seasons at Tennessee, Tennessee's defensive backfield produced such NFL signees as Super Bowl champion Gibril Wilson, Super Bowl participant Deon Grant, Rashad Baker, Jabari Greer, Jonathan Wade and Jason Allen, who was selected in the 2006 first round by the Miami Dolphins.

Slade's 2000 and 2001 secondary units, aided and abetted by the rest of the defense, established school season records with 64 and 72 passes broken up, respectively.

Eagle fans can follow Slade on Twitter @coachlarryslade.