When Bryant Vincent and Earnest Hill were graduate assistant coaches at the University of West Alabama, they made a pact that whomever becomes a head football coach that he would try to hire the other to his staff.

Vincent can now say he lived up to his promise.

The Butler County Board of Education approved the hiring of Hill, who will be teaching at the alternative school and will become Vincent's new defensive coordinator.

&#8220It's going to be a big challenge, and the first thing we have to do is get these kids' minds in the frame of winning again,” Hill said Thursday night.

Hill comes to Greenville after serving as defensive coordinator at Handley High for eight years.

Hill said what has impressed him about Greenville's team compared to his former team is size.

&#8220Where I was at, we had small guys who were quick,” he said. &#8220I've never seen kids this size. They're very big, but I don't know how fast they are. I'll be interested to see what they can do once they strap the pads on.”

While Hill will take over as defensive coordinator, former coordinator Matt Coughlan will be the defensive line coach for the Tigers, Vincent said.

&#8220I'm excited to have him on our staff,” Vincent said. &#8220I know he'll be like me and ready to hit the ground running when he gets here.”

Hill plans to implement a hybrid of the 4-4 defense at Greenville.

&#8220I've run it for three years,” he said. &#8220It's more a slanting defense on the inside.”

Hill also will bring intensity to the plate.

&#8220I'm a very intense coach, and I'm going to try to get a lot out of my players,” he said. &#8220I'm looking for kids who love to practice.”

Vincent said that all but two coaching slots are full as of now. He plans to find a linebackers coach as well as a running backs coach.

As defensive coordinator, Hill also will work with the defensive backs.

— Advocate managing editor Kevin Pearcey contributed to this report.