The Arizona Wildcats officially announced the hiring of new linebackers coach Scott Boone on Tuesday morning.
The Star and others reported Boone’s impending arrival Monday. He spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Nevada.
Join us in welcoming Coach Scott Boone to our football family! #BearDown https://t.co/rQzmtKU3V6 pic.twitter.com/30jcYAzhax
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) December 20, 2016
“I am excited to add Coach Boone to our coaching staff,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said in a statement. “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.”
The addition of Boone, 57, shuffles some of the coaching duties for the other defensive assistants. Defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, who coached linebackers this past season, will oversee cornerbacks and “Spur” safeties. Jahmile Addae will coach free safeties and “Bandit” safeties.
The current projected starters at those safety spots next season are Tristan Cooper (Spur), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Bandit) and Isaiah Hayes (free).
While Arizona plucked a coach from Nevada, the Wolf Pack hired a former Wildcats coach.
Jeff Casteel, fired as Arizona’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after the 2015 season, has been hired as Nevada’s defensive coordinator.
First-year coach Jay Norvell announced the addition of Casteel via Twitter on Monday night.
Proud to have Jeff Casteel as our new D.C. here at Nevada!🐺#NevadaGrit pic.twitter.com/L530zRX5US
— Jay Norvell (@CoachJayNorvell) December 20, 2016
Casteel came with Rodriguez to Tucson in 2012 after coaching alongside him at West Virginia. Rodriguez overhauled the defensive coaching staff after the ’15 season. Casteel did not coach in 2016.
Rodriguez’s father, Vince, has passed away. He was 77 years old.
Rodriguez described his dad as “the hardest-working, toughest man I know.”
Appreciate the thoughts and prayers for the passing of my dad-Vince -he was the hardest working, toughest man I know. #originalHardEdge
— Rich Rodriguez (@CoachRodAZ) December 20, 2016
Vince Rodriguez was a coal miner in Grant Town, West Virginia, and a huge influence on Rich and his brothers.
In 2012, Rich Rodriguez told the Star’s Greg Hansen a story that illustrated his father’s fortitude.
"When he went into the Marines, he hitchhiked all the way to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to get there,” Rich Rodriguez said. “He's got Semper Fi tattooed on his shoulder. He's very proud of it."
