EUGENE – The Oregon football team has parted ways with defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. The school announced Thursday that Leavitt and the university have mutually agreed to separate. Leavitt still had three years left on a contract that pays him $1.7 million annually. He was the highest paid assistant coach in the Pac-12 Conference.

Leavitt interviewed for multiple head coaching positions during the off season, but was not offered a new job.

UO says a national search for a replacement has begun and multiple sources are predicting that Oregon’s safeties coach, Keith Heyward, will be promoted to the defensive coordinator position.