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Syracuse is finalizing a deal to hire Juan Castillo as its offensive line coach, Pete Thamel reported Saturday. Castillo spent time with five NFL franchises before most recently serving as UCLA’s offensive line coach and an offensive analyst at Michigan.

The Orange let go of previous OL coach Dale Williams, along with several other staff members, following a nightmare three-win 2025 campaign. Castillo brings four decades of NFL and collegiate experience to SU’s new-look coaching staff.

Castillo began his coaching career as a defensive line and linebackers coach at his alma mater, Texas A&M-Kingsville, in 1982. His first NFL gig came with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995 as an offensive assistant. Castillo then served as the Eagles’ tight ends coach for a year before he became the offensive line coach for 12 seasons. He was the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2011-12 before leaving Philadelphia.

From 2013-23, Castillo worked with the Ravens, Bills, Bears and Commanders, respectively, with one year at Michigan in between. He then served as UCLA’s offensive line coach in 2024 before heading back to Michigan for the Wolverines’ 9-3 campaign this season.

Now, he’ll look to rebuild SU’s offensive line, which ranked 121st in the country in pass blocking and 95th in run blocking, per Pro Football Focus.

Published on December 6, 2025 at 4:00 pm
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