Nashville, TN -- Tennessee State University hired James Webster as its new head football coach on Tuesday.

Webster had been an assistant coach at North Carolina since 2000, but will now take over for James Reese, who was fired following the season.

"This was a challenging search," said athletic director Teresa Phillips. "Coach Webster defines the total package - leadership, experience and passion."

The 54-year-old Webster began his coaching career at UNC, where he also starred as a defensive end, and has also worked for Florida, Kansas, Colorado, and East Carolina before returning to the Tar Heels' staff. Most recently, he served as the assistant head coach in Chapel Hill.

Webster brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to the Tigers, who captured back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference titles in 1998 and 1999 before stumbling to a 24-33 mark over the past five seasons.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to be the head coach at a university that has a great winning tradition," said Webster.