Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was fired Tuesday morning, two days after his defense did not hold a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against the Detroit Lions and one day after head coach Andy Reid said Castillo would remain with the Eagles.
Reid, who said he would examine and evaluate all aspects of the team during the bye week, apparently changed his mind over night and released Castillo, who had been with the organization for 18 years.
Defensive back coach Todd Bowles was elevated to defensive coordinator.
“I want to make it clear that I have nothing but the ultimate respect for Juan Castillo as a coach and as a person,” Reid said in a statement. “He’s one of the finest football coaches that I have ever worked with. He has served this organization extremely well for 18 years and letting him go was a difficult decision. I know he will continue to be a successful coach in this league and wish he and his family nothing but the best.”
At 3-3, Reid sees more in his team. “We’re six games into the season and average isn’t good enough. I know the potential of our team and insist on maximizing it,” Reid said in the statement.
Castillo was named the Eagles’ defensive coordinator last season, prompting criticism for Reid because Castillo had been the team’s offensive line coach. The defense struggled early last season and didn’t begin to jell until late in Philadelphia’s disappointing 8-8 season. He joined the Eagles in 1995 as an offensive assistant under coach Ray Rhodes. He was promoted to tight ends coach in 1997, and then offensive line coach in 1998.
Bowles was hired by the Eagles in the off-season. He had been on the Miami Dolphins’ staff and was named the interim coach last year when Tony Sparano was fired.
Bowles will try to get the Eagles’ defense to generate more of a pass rush and create turnovers. They only have eight so far this season.
