Arizona head football coach Rich Rodriguez announced on Monday morning that senior offensive lineman Zach Hemmila passed away in his sleep. Alongside athletic director Greg Byrne, a tearful Rodriguez told reporters he notified the team at the end of Monday’s practice.
Byrne and Rodriguez did not provide any further details.
Hemmila was a local product, playing for Chandler High School and head coach Shaun Aguano.
“I loved his smile and his quirkiness. His parents are huge supporters of our football team, and I feel incredibly horrible for them,” Aguano told Sports360AZ. “I’m hurting right now because a piece of our family is gone, and one of my babies passed away too early.”
“I know his teammates and family are hurting but he’s in a good place right now, so we want to keep him in our prayers.”
Rodriguez and Byrne address the media on Hemmila’s passing here (video courtesy of AZ Desert Swarm):
Sports360AZ
