Report: Juan Castillo still Philly's DC

Eagles Keep Defensive Coordinator

Report: Juan Castillo to return as Eagles defensive coordinator next season.Tags: SportsCenter, Juan Castillo, Defensive Coordinator, Andy Reid, Ron Jaworski

Eagles Keep Defensive Coordinator

Embattled Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo will return to the team in the same capacity for the 2012 season and former Miami Dolphins interim coach Todd Bowles will coach the team's cornerbacks, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday.

Since his surprising switch to defensive coordinator last season after 13 seasons coaching the offensive linemen, Castillo has been under the microscope in Philadelphia.

The defense played poorly when the "Dream Team" Eagles started 1-4. But Philadelphia's defense improved as the season went on and finished eighth overall. The Eagles, who began the season with Super Bowl aspirations after adding big names in free agency, finished 8-8.

Bowles, who coached the Dolphins' secondary, was 2-1 as Miami's interim coach after coach Tony Sparano was fired during the season.

Castillo was hired after the Eagles already had brought in former Tennessee defensive line coach Jim Washburn to implement his wide-nine scheme. It's unusual for a new defensive coordinator to have to cater to an existing system, but Castillo's hiring was surprising in itself because of his background.

Even players were taken aback when it happened. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said in December that his teammates didn't have much confidence in Castillo's calls early in the season, but they executed better at the end of the season because they grew to believe in him.

The Eagles announced shortly after the season that coach Andy Reid would return for his 14th season as the team's coach.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.