IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys didn't take long to hire Paul Pasqualoni as their new defensive line coach. It actually took a matter of minutes.

The University of Georgia announced the hiring of Todd Grantham as its defensive coordinator Friday, and shortly thereafter, the Cowboys announced they had hired Pasqualoni to replace him.

Grantham will finish the season with the Cowboys, but Pasqualoni already has reported to work at the Valley Ranch facility. Pasqualoni, who was fired this week as the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator, was a Cowboys assistant for three seasons. He coached tight ends in 2005 and linebackers the next two seasons.

Grantham informed the Cowboys at the beginning of Thursday morning's practice that he intended to accept Georgia's offer. Owner/general manager Jerry Jones and head coach Wade Phillips agreed to attempt to replace Grantham with Pasqualoni, who went 107-59-1 with nine bowl appearances as Syracuse University's head coach from 1991 to 2004.

Jones got on the phone, and the deal was done 10 minutes later.

"We're really pleased to have Paul back," Phillips said. "He's an outstanding coach. I was lucky to have him when we came in here. He was one of the best coaches I've been around, and I think we're lucky to have him back."