North Texas announced Tuesday that former WKU defensive coordinator Clint Bowen has been hired for the same position with the Mean Green.

The release issued by UNT said that Bowen will also coach the safeties.

The announcement ends nearly a week of speculation that followed Bowen’s resignation from WKU last Thursday.

Deborah Wilkins, WKU chief of staff and general counsel, told the Herald last Thursday that Bowen was set to accept the DC job at UNT.

Reports later circulated that Bowen had interviewed for a position at Indiana, but new UNT Head Coach Dan McCarney was able to introduce Bowen as one of his first staff hires Tuesday.

“I know firsthand from coaching against Clint in the Big 12 of his special abilities,” McCarney said in the release. “He brought his fiery, enthusiastic approach as a player to the sidelines as a coach and the transition has been very successful. Our defense must lead the way for the turnaround at North Texas to be successful.”

McCarney, a former Iowa State head coach, was hired on Nov. 30 to replace interim coach Mike Canales and former coach Todd Dodge.

Bowen raised the Toppers’ defensive profile this season. The unit ranked 68th in the nation and third in the Sun Belt Conference in total defense, giving up 380 yards per game.

The Toppers lost to North Texas at home this season, 33-6.

WKU has not yet hired a new defensive coordinator to replace Bowen.