WVU Football Announces Jeff Casteel’s Retirement; Confirms Previous Reports

As previously reported by West Virginia Sports Now, longtime defensive coach Jeff Casteel is retiring. The WVU football program officially announced the news on Friday.

So now a year after making a triumphant return to West Virginia to be part of Rich Rodriguez’s first season back at the helm, Casteel is hanging up his whistle for good.

“I have worked with Jeff for years, and there are very few coaches who have built a better defensive resume,” said Rodriguez in a statement. From his start at Shepherd College, to coordinating the defense here at West Virginia during one of our most successful periods of time and then as we built the program at Arizona, he has been a valuable member of our staff and a good friend. I, along with my staff and players, want to thank him and wish him and his family the best in retirement.”

Thank you Coach Casteel for your lasting impact on our program and state.

Wishing you all the best in retirement!

🔗 → https://t.co/uEw0RNrArv pic.twitter.com/CBvEIkSLkf

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) January 23, 2026

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.

Casteel ends his career after 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.

WVU defensive coach Jeff Casteel during a press conference in March of 2025. (WVSN photo by Mike Asti)

WVU defensive coach Jeff Casteel coaching during a practice in March of 2025. (WVSN photo by Mike Asti)

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.

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.