Former Stephenville assistant and Glen Rose head football coach Erik Slaughter has been named defensive coordinator at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

TAMC sports information director Danny Kambel confirmed to the Stephenville Empire Tribune that has been added to the Lions' coaching staff.

Slaughter's career was rising quickly with him being named the lone finalist at perennial power Stephenville. Slaughter had been a successful Stephenville assistant before becoming head coach at long dormant Glen Rose.

Slaughter was at Glen Rose the last two years.y.

Slaughter was named the lone finalist for the head coach and athletic director vacancy at Stephenville on Feb. 11, but suddenly withdrew his name from consideration two days later, citing family reasons and a desire to finish what he started in Glen Rose.

But on Feb. 14, Slaughter was placed on administrative leave by Glen Rose Superintendent Wayne Rotan. A letter from Rotan to Slaughter - obtained under open records laws and confirmed by Rotan - stated, "I have taken this action based on allegations you discussed with me and which were first reported to Stephenville ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell Floyd by a former female student of that district."

Floyd was away on vacation and unavailable for comment on Monday.

Five days after being relieved of duty, Slaughter resigned from Glen Rose ISD on Feb. 19. Tommy Dunn, also a former assistant at both schools, was promoted to head coach at Glen Rose, while Stephenville assistant Joseph Gillespie took over the top seat in Yellow Jacket athletics.

Rotan's letter also informed Slaughter that he had reported the alleged misconduct to the State Board for Educator Certification, pursuant to state law. The superintendent also stated that the allegations had nothing to do with the coach's tenure at Glen Rose.

According to the Texas State Board for Educator Certification Web site, Slaughter's Texas Educator Certificate is currently classified as valid. However, there is a notification on the certificate, which the Web site explains with the statement, "An allegation of misconduct against the educator has been made and the Professional Discipline Unit staff is currently analyzing the available information and/or is in the process of obtaining additional information."

Slaughter's attorney, Tiger Hanner, said the allegations go back 17-18 years and involve no criminal charges. He said they plan to fight those allegations when they meet with investigators with the SBEC.

"We have not met with them or even talked to them yet," Hanner told the Empire Tribune. "At some point in time we will meet with them, but that has not been scheduled as of yet."

The attorney said Slaughter decided a return to the college game offered the best opportunity to move forward with his career after the allegations became public.

"He's trying to move forward," Hanner said. "He's trying to put this behind him and not make both communities (Stephenville and Glen Rose) have to deal with it."

Hanner said Slaughter has been well received at TAMC and believes he is doing a good job.

Slaughter was an assistant coach under Art Briles at Stephenville from 1990-98, helping the program to its first three state championships. He later served as head coach for two seasons at Linden-Kildaire, two at East Bernard and one at Springtown. He then served on Briles' staff at the University of Houston for three years before taking over at Glen Rose in 2006.

In two seasons at Glen Rose, he led the Tigers to back-to-back District 7-3A championships. The 2007 team advanced to the regional finals for the first time in school history.

Slaughter has spent much of his life in the Cross Timbers Area, graduating from Hico High School in 1986, and from Tarleton State University in 1990.

Texas A&M-Commerce is a public institution and part of the Texas A&M University System, with an enrollment of 8,879. The Lions compete as members of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference (North Division). TAMC is coming off a 5-6 season in 2007, its fourth under head coach Scotty Conley.

Slaughter replaces David Gibbs, inheriting a TAMC defense that surrendered 23.2 points and 304.6 yards per contest in 2007.