By Mark Gonzales

The revamping of the White Sox's farm system involves the hiring of former major league slugger Chris Chambliss and re-hiring of former hitting coach Gary Ward.

The system-wide changes, which started last summer, were announced Monday by Buddy Bell, the director of minor league instruction.

Chambliss, 59, takes over as manager at Triple-A Charlotte, replacing Marc Bombard. Chambliss, a 16-year major-league veteran, served last season as hitting coach at Triple-A Richmond.

Chambliss managed in the Detroit system nearly 20 years ago and was a major league hitting coach for the New York Yankees, Mets and Cincinnati. Chambliss interviewed for the Arizona managerial job that went to Bob Brenly after the 2000 season.

Ward, the Sox's hitting coach for two years before he was replaced by Greg Walker, will join Chambliss' staff in a similar capacity.

Ever Magallanes left the Los Angeles Angels' organization to join the White Sox as their Double-A manager at Birmingham. Magallanes, 42, was the Arizona League manager of the year in 2006, directed Class-A Cedar Rapids to the 2007 Midwest League title and managed at Class-A Rancho Cuamonga of the California League last summer.

Magallanes replaces Carlos Subero, who is now the Class-A manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Inland Empire affiliate in the California League.

The new managers at the Class-A levels are Joe McEwing (Winston-Salem) and Ernie Young (Kannapolis). Ryan Newman left the Detroit organization to become the manager at Advanced Rookie-Bristol.

McEwing was the Sox's hitting coach at Charlotte last year.

Former Cincinnati second baseman Ron Oester joins the Sox’s organization as its infield instructor. Oester takes over for Manny Trillo, who will become the organization’s bunting/base running coordinator.

Former Bristol manager Bobby Thigpen takes over as pitching coach at Winston-Salem. Hitting coaches Greg Briley (Winston-Salem) and Omedo Saenz (Advanced Rookie-Great Falls) are joining the Sox’s organization for the first time.

Saenz will assist manager Chris Cron, who steered Great Falls to the 2008 Pioneer League title.

Bombard, Subero and Winston-Salem manager Tim Blackwell were informed two months ago that they wouldn't be retained. Kannapolis manager Chris Jones was released in July.