Bob Leverone/Associated Press

The Green Bay Packers announced Wednesday they have parted ways with defensive coordinator Dom Capers following a 7-9 season.

Capers has been with the Packers since 2009, but the defense struggled this season, finishing 22nd in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed. The unit was in the bottom half of the league against both the run and the pass.

Assistant linebackers coach Scott McCurley and defensive line coach Mike Trgovac were also let go.



The 67-year-old, who has spent eight years as a head coach with the Panthers and Texans with just one winning season, got off to a great start to his tenure with the Packers. His teams in 2009 and 2010 ranked in the top 10 in both yards and points, improving a group that was 22nd in points allowed the year before arriving.

In 2010, Capers' defense allowed the second-fewest points on its way to bringing home a Super Bowl.

The unit has struggled since, failing to finish inside the top 10 the last seven years. The group ranked 22nd in points allowed in each of the last two years, also ending this season just 24th in takeaways. This is all despite the team using its first draft pick on a defensive player in each of the last six years.

Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network previously reported Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could be a top candidate to replace Capers.