Source: Decorated West Virginia Coach Jeff Casteel to Retire

A Mountaineer legend is calling it a career. A year after making a triumphant return to West Virginia to be part of Rich Rodriguez’s first season back at the helm, Jeff Casteel is hanging up his whistle for good.

Casteel is retiring from coaching.

In the interest of full disclosure, West Virginia Sports Now was informed through a trusted source about Casteel’s impending retirement weeks ago. The Casteel news came along with a tip about a new defensive coach being added to the staff – Larry Knight was then announced about 10 days later.

Out of respect to Casteel’s legacy, WVSN decided to not report about his retirement and let it come from someone in his family or the program. However, since it has now been reported elsewhere, WVSN can confirm the news.

I might as well say since I see it's been reported. I was honestly going to just not report it and let it be an announcement from the program out of respect to his legacy, but what I was referring to weeks ago when I broke other WVU coaching news was Jeff Casteel retiring. https://t.co/GlSwlQMxUg

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) January 15, 2026

Casteel has over 35 years of defensive coaching experience, including 27 years as a coordinator. He has helped guide teams to 14 conference championships and 15 bowl appearances, and has coached numerous All-Americans and professional players. He was named the Rivals Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 2007, Big East Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 2008, a Broyles Award nominee (five times) and the Football Scoop Linebacker Coach of the Year in 2014.

During his tenure at WVU, the Mountaineers experienced one of their greatest periods of success, including winning three BCS bowl games – 2006 Sugar Bowl, 2008 Fiesta Bowl and the 2012 Orange Bowl.

Courtesy of WVU Athletics

Casteel returned to West Virginia in 2020 after serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Nevada for three years. In 2019, the Wolfpack finished 7-6 and earned a spot in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. In 2018, five of his starters earned All-Mountain West honors. From his first year to his second year, the Nevada defense improved from allowing 208.2 yards per game rushing to 142 and dropped the total defense from allowing 471.3 yards to 378.3 yards per game. Four of his players earned All-Mountain West Conference honors.

At Arizona, Casteel helped lead the Wildcats to the 2014 Pac-12 South championship and four bowl appearances, including the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. The defense aided in setting a school record for most wins over a four-year period.

Find more coverage of Jeff Casteel and the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.