On his first full day as the Jaguars’ coach, Doug Marrone fired eight assistant coaches Tuesday, but retained defensive coordinator Todd Wash.

Dismissed with one year remaining on their contracts were Jerry Sullivan (receivers), Tony Sorrentino (assistant receivers), Chris O’Hara (offensive assistant), DeWayne Walker (defensive backs), Robert Saleh (linebackers), Scottie Hazelton (assistant linebackers), Aaron Whitecotton (assistant defensive line) and Daniel Bullocks (assistant defensive backs).

Hazelton was hired later in the day as the defensive coordinator at Wyoming.

Besides Wash, the only defensive assistant retained was Mike Rutenberg.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is expected to return, but no official announcement was made.

Wash joined the Jaguars in 2013 and was the defensive line coach for three years before being promoted to coordinator last January. Under his direction, the Jaguars finished sixth in fewest yards allowed and eighth on third down.

Rutenberg followed Walker to the Jaguars from New Mexico State and was assistant defensive backs coach for three years before moving into a defensive assistant position for 2016.

The most notable coach fired was Sullivan. The 72-year old Sullivan was the longest-tenured position coach on the team said it would take "a special situation," for him to continue working on a full-time basis. His full-time residence will remain in the Jacksonville area.

"I feel like I still have something to contribute and maybe somebody will call," Sullivan said in a phone interview with the Times-Union. "If they do and it’s the right situation, I’ll be thankful. If they don’t, then I know I fought the good fight and ran the good race."

Under Sullivan’s guidance, Cecil Shorts (2012), Allen Robinson (2015), Allen Hurns (2015) and Marqise Lee (2016) all had their best professional seasons. Robinson and Hurns each went over 1,000 yards in 2015.

Walker left his post as New Mexico State’s head coach to return to the NFL and the Jaguars in 2013. The Jaguars finished fifth in pass defense this year (215.2 yards per game), but gave up 12 passes of at least 40 yards (tied for fifth-most) and were last with seven interceptions.

Sorrentino, who joined the Jaguars in 2013 after working with Jedd Fisch at the University of Minnesota and Miami (Fla.). Sorrentino, 33, earned praise throughout the organization the last two years for his behind-the-scenes and practice field work.

Among the other coaches fired, Whitecotton was hired in 2013, O’Hara, Saleh and Hazelton in 2014 and Bullocks last year.

The new receivers coach will get to work with four-year players Robinson, Hurns and Lee and third-year player Rashad Greene. Veterans Arrelious Benn and Bryan Walters are free agents.

Robinson (1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns) and Hurns (1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns) broke out last year, but saw their numbers drip this year to 883 and six (Robinson) and 477 and three (Hurns, who missed the final five games with a hamstring injury).

The Jaguars’ downfield passing game was largely missing – their 19 completions of at least 25 yards were third fewest in the NFL.

"We struggled for big plays, which came last year came often and in bunches," Sullivan said. "We struggled for a rhythm. After the Tennessee game [in Week 16], we were like, ‘Where has this been?’ I attribute it to this league having a lot of smart people that coach and they’re going to do their diligence to take you out of what you do well."

Sullivan began his coaching career in 1971 and entered the NFL in 1992 with San Diego and understands his age may not make him as attractive a candidate as in previous years.

"As you get up in age, even though I do have a good reputation, your phone rings less, you know?" Sullivan said. "More of the guys I have relationships with aren’t coaching anymore. I’m very grateful for the career I’ve had and the coaches I’ve been able to work with."

If this is it for Sullivan, it’s been quite the journey. He grew up in foster homes throughout the Miami area, but football allowed him to attend Florida State and experience a wildly successful coaching career.

"Since I was 12 years old – all I’ve done is played and then coached football," Sullivan said. "Football saved me from the streets. Football helped me have a better life. This is a hard day."