Brad Cesmat
When Nick Saban retired from Alabama seven days ago, the lives of football players and coaches here in our backyard were affected downstream. Disagree? Well, here are the facts.
- The University of Washington lost their football coach to the Crimson Tide six days ago.
- The Arizona Wildcats lost their football coach and most staff to UW two days ago to replace the coach who went to replace Saban.
- Former Valley quarterback Chubba Purdy committed to San Jose State football coach Brent Brennan on Sunday. Purdy went into the portal out of Nebraska in December and had taken visits elsewhere but loved Brennan and his staff after their weekend visit. His search for a good landing spot was over. Less than 24 hours later, Brennan’s name got attached to Arizona, and by Tuesday, he was gone from San Jose. Purdy is now back, looking at other options.
- Six in-state high school seniors had started classes at the University of Arizona last week because they were going to play for Jedd Fisch. Those six players now have thirty days to transfer if they so desire. Imagine being a high school kid, and you’re just trying to find the right hall for math class, and the head coach, along with most of the staff that recruited you, are gone.
- QB Demond Williams is now in the portal a week into his Arizona Wildcat college career.
This trickle-down effect could go into a full-blow tsunami if the NFL takes two coaches from college to fill their openings. Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh(LA or Atlanta) and USC’s Lincoln Riley(Seattle?)
It’s nice to feel the pressure from the University of Arizona Football fan base. I didn’t know if they existed because, you know,… it’s a basketball school. But I heard from many about Brennan’s hiring and Fisch’s departure. The facts are that the fan base hasn’t had to go through the shock of losing a head football coach since 1987 when Larry Smith went to USC. The Tomey faction is happy today, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but not everyone believes that this was a good hire by President Robbins…
Arizona State football’s self-sanctioning this week on recruiting may or may not soften the inevitable blow by the NCAA for the nonsense that happened under the previous regime. Uncertainty is no way to go through life, build a football program, or search for a new Athletic Director…
It’s hard to imagine how layoffs could hit an NFL franchise…
I’m looking forward to watching Jonathan Gannon, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly play in the WM Pro-AM, especially if they are in the same foursome, which I hear is a strong possibility…
Please give me more small ball with Kevin Durant in the middle…
We said back in November that Grand Canyon University’s Basketball depth at guard would be a problem for teams this season. I might have understated just how much of an issue. Collin Moore hasn’t gotten the media spotlight, but I think that will come as they round the corner towards the WAC Tourney in March. There is much more on the ‘Lopes on Thursday show with ‘Lopes head coach Bryce Drew…
Jerzy Robinson was the best high school basketball girls’ prospect in Arizona. We mentioned last week that she left Desert Vista for California, where NIL is legal for high school players. Nike signed Robinson to a shoe deal this week. She’s the #1 ranked high school player for the class of 2026…
