Houston coach Major Applewhite announced that defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio has been relieved of his duties, the university released in a statement on Sunday.

“I appreciate Mark for being a great professional and hard worker as a part of our staff,” Applewhite said in a statement. “He and his family have shown complete dedication to the Houston Football program and our student-athletes while on our team.”

Houston’s defense took a turn for the worst in D’Onofrio’s second season. The Cougars ranked No. 106 in scoring defense (34.4 points allowed per game) and No. 124 in total defense (488.5 yards per game) out of 129 FBS teams. In four losses, the Cougars gave up 54.8 points per game.

Under former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, the Cougars ranked No. 13 in total defense (319.6) and No. 30 in scoring defense (23.5).

D’Onofrio joined the program as part of Applewhite’s first staff in 2017. He previously worked for Al Golden at both Temple and Miami as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He left Miami in 2015 after Golden was fired.

Applewhite will now have to make his second coordinator hire in two years at Houston. He hired Kendal Briles following the 2017 season after former offensive coordinator Brian Johnson left for Florida. 

A national search is underway to replace D’Onofrio. The Cougars finished the 2018 season 8-4, and await a bowl assignment on Dec. 2.