Baer, Simmons let go by Willingham

SEATTLE - Kent Baer is no longer coaching at the University of Washington, according to a report by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Monday morning. Later reports from gohuskies.com - Washington's official website - confirmed the news, as well as the departure of Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach Bob Simmons.

Baer, 56, spent 15 seasons working under Willingham, including the last three at Washington. This season the Huskies had one of the worst defenses in school history.

In 2007, Washington had the 9th-worst defense in terms of points per game (31.6 ppg). The 411 total points given up were the most in UW history. In 1973, the Huskies gave up 376 points.

They were last in terms of total yards surrendered (446 yard per game). The 446 yards per game is the worst in the history of Washington football. In 2005 - a defense also headed up by Baer - UW gave up an average of 419 yards per game.

They were the only defense in conference that gave up an average of over six yards per play.

Prior to his stint at Notre Dame, Simmons served as the head football coach at Oklahoma State University from 1995-2000.

"I consider Kent Baer and Bob Simmons excellent coaches and consummate professionals," said Willingham in his official statement to gohuskies.com. "Making change such as this is never easy, nor is it done without careful thought and consideration. I believe we are continuing to build this football program into a national contender and I truly appreciate the contribution Kent and Bob have made toward our progress both on and off the field."

Willingham has three current vacancies that he'll need to fill in the coming weeks and months; Defensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach, and Running Backs Coach. Trent Miles left Washington to become the new Head Coach at Indiana State - his alma mater.