Arizona to hire Boise State's Yates as defensive coordinator

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Arizona has agreed in principle to hire Boise State defensive coordinator Marcel Yates as its defensive coordinator. He will replace Jeff

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Arizona has agreed in principle to hire Boise State defensive coordinator Marcel Yates as its defensive coordinator.

He will replace Jeff Casteel, who was fired this month by coach Rich Rodriguez.

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

• Georgia
• Utah
• Alabama
• UCLA
• Notre Dame
• Texas
• Miami (FL)
• Tennessee
• Indiana
• BYU
• Kentucky
• Texas Tech

PREREGISTER TO PLAY

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See Official Rules for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

Yates spent the past two seasons at Boise State as defensive coordinator, leading a unit that was ninth nationally with 31 forced turnovers. He was a defensive back at Boise State from 1996-99 and coached defensive backs from 2003-11.

Yates also spent two seasons at Texas A&M as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach.

Yates leaves less than a week after Broncos offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz left Bryan Harsin's staff for North Carolina State.