Arizona tabs former Nevada defensive coordinator Boone as new linebackers coach

With former cornerbacks coach Donté Williams leaving the team to take an opportunity at Nebraska, the Arizona Wildcats needed to fill an empty spot on the defensive coaching staff.

Wildcats’ head coach Rich Rodriguez announced Tuesday they have hired Scott Boone as their new linebackers coach, while defensive coordinator Marcel Yates will now transition to overseeing the cornerback and spur safety positions in addition to his other duties..

Boone goes to Tucson after spending the last three years as defensive coordinator at Nevada.

Last season Nevada finished 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Mountain West Conference, yielding 29.0 points per game. That mark was good for fifth in the conference.

“I am excited to add Coach Boone to our coaching staff,” Rodriguez said. “Scott has tremendous experience coaching linebackers as well as coordinating a defense. Along with his coaching track record, he has experience recruiting the areas we recruit. He is a great addition to our staff.”

Before joining the Wolf Pack, Boone was a coach at William and Mary for 10 seasons. He was the defensive coordinator there from 2011-13, a linebackers coach from 2007-10 and a defensive backs coach from 2004-06.

Boone began his coaching career at Wabash, where he spent 14 years as an assistant coach. He was honored in 2011 with being named to the Wabash College Athletic Hall of Fame.

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