Former Nevada defensive coordinator Scott Boone is set to become the Arizona Wildcats’ linebackers coach. The official announcement could come as soon as today, the Star has learned.
Football Scoop first reported the news.
Boone, 57, spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Wolf Pack. Nevada parted ways with Coach Brian Polian after a 5-7 season, essentially making Boone and other staff members free agents.
The Wolf Pack took a step backward this past season. Before that, Nevada had lowered its points allowed in each of Boone’s first two seasons.
Before joining the Nevada staff, Boone spent three years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at William and Mary. Boone was a finalist for FCS Coordinator of the Year in 2013.
Boone spent 10 years in all at William and Mary. Before that, he was the head coach at Randolph-Macon in Ashland, Virginia.
Boone helped Nevada defeat Colorado State in the inaugural Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl last year. Arizona defeated Nevada in 2014 and ’15 with Boone as the defensive coordinator.
Boone and UA coach Rich Rodriguez have a longstanding relationship, according to a report in the Reno Gazette-Journal.
The departure of cornerbacks coach Donté Williams earlier this month created an opening on Arizona’s staff. Defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, who had coached linebackers this past season, tweeted last week that he will be moving to defensive backs, the first indication that Rodriguez would hire a linebackers coach.
