After a disappointing defensive performance at Stanford, and a lack of overall progress on that side of the ball, Arizona Wildcats coach Kevin Sumlin has decided to make some significant changes.

Sumlin has fired defensive coordinator Marcel Yates and linebackers coach John Rushing.

Senior defensive analyst Chuck Cecil, a 15-year NFL coaching veteran, will take charge of the defense and presumably the safeties, whom Yates also coached. Another analyst, Hank Hobson, will be given additional responsibilities — presumably including the linebackers. That was the position Rushing coached.

Sumlin is expected to address the changes at his weekly news conference Monday afternoon.

Arizona lost 41-31 at Stanford on Saturday. It was the third straight game in which the Wildcats allowed 41 or more points. The Wildcats (4-4) will finish their regular season with games against Oregon State, Oregon, Utah and Arizona State — teams that carry a combined 22-9 record. Oregon and Utah are both 7-1.

Yates was in his fourth season as defensive coordinator. He previously worked under Sumlin at Texas A&M, and Sumlin decided to keep him on staff after becoming UA coach in January 2018. Yates made $560,000 annually as part of a multi-year contract that was set to expire in January.