STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Ted Roof has left Penn State after one season as defensive coordinator to take the same job at his alma mater, Georgia Tech.

A statement on Georgia Tech's website Wednesday said Roof's hiring could not become official until he completed a background check which would likely occur next week.

Roof is a Georgia native who also served as defensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets under George O'Leary for three seasons starting in 1999.

The Nittany Lions announced Roof's resignation on their Twitter feed on Wednesday. Secondary coach John Butler will take over as defensive coordinator.

Roof's departure comes as somewhat of a surprise after a successful 2012 campaign coordinating first-year coach Bill O'Brien's defense. The coaching veteran tweaked Penn State's well-established defense with more blitzing schemes.