Arizona parts with defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel

The Arizona Wildcats have shaken up their coaching staff, as it was announced Monday defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jeff Casteel along with defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich will not return for the 2016 season.

Both were long-time assistants under head coach Rich Rodriguez, dating back to his days leading West Virginia.

However, Arizona’s defense has been a bit of a sore spot during the staff’s four years in Arizona, and slipped last season to 10th in the Pac-12 in scoring, surrendering 35.8 points per game, and total defense, allowing opponents to gain 466.9 yards per game.

Still, the moves come as a surprise to many due to the fact that Rodriguez has shown to be very loyal to his assistants. With regards to Casteel, one of the reasons many believed Rodriguez failed at Michigan was because he could not get the defensive coordinator to Ann Arbor with him. His unique 3-3-5 defense has come under fire some, though, and this may be a sign the head coach will be looking for a different scheme.

The Wildcats finished 7-6 this past season, taking a step back from the previous year’s 10-4 campaign that saw them win the Pac-12 South and play in the Fiesta Bowl.

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