DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne High has gone back to the well. Specifically, the well of defensive coaching talent that brought Bart Sessions to Jubilee Stadium last summer.

Daphne athletic director and head football coach Glenn Vickery announced the hiring of Mark Hurt as the Trojans' new defensive coordinator Friday for the 2011 football season.

An assistant coach at Prattville High School, Hurt is stepping into the Daphne job vacated by his former boss at Prattville.

Sessions, who earlier this year resigned to become the head coach at McGill-Toolen Catholic, was the DC at PHS before coming to Daphne in 2010.

“We are excited to announce the hiring of coach Mark Hurt,” Vickery said. “His experience as a football coach in one of the top programs in the country and his experience in big games will benefit our school and our athletic program. Coach Hurt is a quality person and teacher who brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.”

Hurt will take over a defending 6A state champion defense that finished 2010 as the best in their classification in scoring prevention, just over six points per game.

“I am very excited about becoming a member of the Trojan nation,” Hurt said. “I look forward to working with the administration, the teachers, the coaching staff, and the players in continuing the winning tradition of Daphne High School.”

Hurt, who will also be the position coach for cornerbacks, has been at Prattville High since 2007 coaching defensive backs. Before that he was the head coach and athletic director at Booker T. Washington in Tuskegee.

He led the 5A BTWHS Golden Eagles from 2001-07. From 1998-01, he was the head coach and AD at Class 1A Keith High in Orrville. He has assisted at Selma High, Russell County and Fayetteville State University, where he began his career in 1992.

Also joining the Trojan defensive staff will be former Baker High head coach Tim Massengale, who will coach outside linebackers and serve as strength coach for all sports.

“I’m very excited to become a part of Daphne High School and the athletic program,” he said. “I have known coach Vickery for a long time and I appreciate this opportunity to work with the coaching staff at Daphne. I consider it a privilege to coach at a school that is strong academically and athletically like Daphne High School.

Vickery said that Massengale's addition will be a plus for the entire athletic program.

“Daphne High school has added a quality teacher and coach in the hiring of Tim Massengale. He does a tremendous job as a strength coach as well as a football coach. We are excited to have a coach with the qualities that coach Massengale brings to the table.”

Massengale led the Hornets football team from 2007-10 and was the defensive coordinator there for four years as well.

He was the defensive coordinator at B.C. Rain from 1999-02 and held that position at Mobile Christian for six seasons from 1993-98.

Vickery also announced the promotion of Jacy Todd from head freshmen football coach to varsity staff assistant where he will coach inside linebackers. Todd will continue to coach the boy's golf team at Daphne.

Also, former Daphne assistant, former Gulf Shores Head coach and former defensive coordinator at Tuscaloosa County, Robby Guthrie, has rejoined the football staff at Daphne and will coach safeties for the Trojans.

“We are excited to announce Jacy Todd and Robby Guthrie to our varsity football staff,” Vickery said. “They are excellent teachers, coaches and men. Our players will benefit from the leadership and positive coaching from coach Todd and coach Guthrie.”