Texas A&M has fired defensive coordinator Mark Snyder, according to head coach Kevin Sumlin. Snyder oversaw a defense that finished its regular season ranked dead last in the SEC in total defense each of the last two years, giving up 475 and nearly 450 yards per game, respectively.

Linebackers coach Mark Hagan will take over as the Aggies interim defensive coordinator for the team’s bowl game.

The move is one that many have expected for much of the season. Texas A&M was counting on a big improvement from the defense after it cost them last season, and instead saw the defense regress. The Aggies struggled mightily in both coverage and tackling. Just about the only area they excelled was rushing the passer, thanks to star freshman Myles Garrett setting the SEC freshman sacks record.

Texas A&M was unable to get consistent production or playing time from the many of top defensive recruits they’ve brought in over the last two seasons, which undoubtedly played into Snyder’s firing.

Snyder was under contract through March 2016. He was due to make $700,000 for the 2015 season.

There has been speculation that Texas A&M could be targeting Will Muschamp, who was fired as Florida’s head coach two weeks ago. Muschamp has ties to the state of Texas, as he was the defensive coordinator at Texas before his stint at Florida.