Jordan Hamm
The Arizona football program is in a much different place with Jedd Fisch leaving than when he got to Tucson.
The Wildcats were in the cellar of the Pac-12 after Kevin Sumlin’s tenure. Arizona was coming off a windless 2020 COVID season, a 70-7 loss to Arizona State. Apathy was at an all-time high in Tucson.
When Fisch was hired, there were plenty of questions regarding his background, his lack of head coaching experience and presumably stronger candidates available.
To be frank, many were confused about the decision. Many were pissed about the decision.
It took a little time, but Fisch proved many wrong in his three years with Arizona.
So that begs the question, what sort of job is the Arizona head coaching position?
You could follow the Fisch blueprint and potentially have success.
The roster is deep and talented. The first priority would be retaining the roster that just won an Alamo Bowl.
That would be no small task as players now have 30 days to find a new home without penalty. If you’re able to retain the bulk of talent, you could be well-positioned to build and build.
The conference also plays a role.
Now that the Wildcats are in the Big 12, they would be a favorite to win the conference with the current roster. You don’t have to roll through a Washington, Oregon or USC anymore. Your main competition will be Utah, Kansas and Oklahoma State. With the current roster, that’s manageable.
The fan-base is now far from apathetic. People are upset about Fisch leaving and they put butts in seats, especially at the end of the year. There was excitement coming off the 1-11 year and that’s no small feat. It’s grown and grown from there.
Will the fan-base rally around the team and new coaching staff like they did with Fisch? Or will they feel like they’ll be left again looking for a coach after the first sign of success?
And then there’s the financials…
Brett McMurphy reported an extension could have already been taken care of for Fisch, but the deal “wasn’t a priority for school.”
Jedd Fisch accepts Washington job, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Arizona has team meetings w/in next hour. Arizona had opportunity to get Fisch new deal but it wasn’t a priority for school, source said. UW 2024 schedule includes: Washington State (in Seattle); home Michigan &…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 14, 2024
How much of that is fueled by the $240 million budge deficit the university is facing? Could the optics of Fisch’s raise and extension make leadership hesitant to go through with keeping the coach in Tucson long-term while the university is revisiting budgets and financial aid plans for students?
With all that being said, here are a few names I think would make sense for the Wildcats as their next head coach:
Brennan Carroll – Offensive Coordinator Arizona
If you want to maintain this culture and retain fellow assistants and big-time players on the roster, Carroll gives you the best shot. He’s well-respected on the roster, a good recruiter and his players seem to enjoy playing for him. He’s done a hell of a job identifying and developing talent. His offensive line was one of the best in the country, and the offense moved the ball with ease. Watching the 2021 offense to the 2023 offense is like watching a completely different sport.
BUT…Carroll could follow Fisch to Washington. It would be a great position to be in. He has family in Seattle. He’s coached for the Seahawks. His father (for now) is working in the front office of the Seahawks. Could Arizona make a compelling enough offer to pry Carroll away form ALL of that if he were offered a position with the Huskies?
UNLV Options
Head coach Barry Odom has done a tremendous job at UNLV, going 9-5 in his first year with the Rebels. He also was a head coach at Mizzou, going 25-25. UNLV was one of the best rebuilds in the country this past season. He built a great staff including first-year offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who is a rising star in the coaching and recruiting world.
It won’t be long before Marion is in big-time coaching discussions as well. Marion has only been an offensive coordinator for one year, but if the Wildcats wanted to go for a promising young coach, he is a great option.
GJ Kinne – Head Coach – Texas State
Speaking of young coaches, GJ Kinne just wrapped up his first year as a head coach, and he led Texas State to a bowl game. He is an innovative offensive mind, the Bobcats’ 457.6 yards per game tallied 14th-best in the nation. He helped Texas State take down Baylor in their season-opener.
Jake Dickert – Head Coach – Washington State
Dickert has done a lot during far from ideal circumstances with the Cougars. He took over as head coach midseason when Nick Rolovich refused to take a COVID-19 vaccine, and the team stabilized in the back half of his first season. He’s been able to bring in quality transfers, including Cam Ward. With Washington State’s long-term conference future in question, Arizona and the Big 12 could be appealing.
This is far from a complete list, but there are plenty of interesting options for the next coach of the Wildcats.
