Arizona Wildcats football
2024 Arizona Wildcats football team
First season1899
Athletic directorDave Heeke
Head coachVacant
StadiumArizona Stadium
(capacity: 50,782)
Year built1929
Field surfaceFieldTurf
LocationTucson, Arizona
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferencePac-12
DivisionSouth (2011–2021)
Past conferencesIndependent (1899–1930)
Border (1931–1961)
WAC (1962–1977)
All-time record629–499–33 (.556)
Bowl record10–11–1 (.477)
Conference titles6 (1933, 1934, 1941, 1964, 1973, 1993)
Division titles1 (2014)
RivalriesArizona State (rivalry)
New Mexico (rivalry)
Consensus All-Americans16[1]
ColorsCardinal and navy[2]
   
Fight songBear Down, Arizona
MascotWilbur and Wilma the Wildcat
Marching bandThe Pride of Arizona
OutfitterNike
WebsiteArizonaWildcats.com

The Arizona Wildcats football program represents the University of Arizona (UA) in the sport of American college football. Arizona competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12). They play their home games at Arizona Stadium, which opened in 1929 on the university's campus in Tucson, Arizona, and has a capacity of 50,782. The team coaching position is currently vacant.

Arizona's inaugural season was in 1899. The school first played as an independent before joining a conference in 1931, when they became a member of the now-defunct Border Conference. They, alongside rival Arizona State (ASU), would become part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1962. In 1978, both Arizona and ASU joined the Pac-12 Conference (then known as the Pac-10). They would be placed in the Pac-12 South Division when the conference realigned in 2011. Divisions within the Pac-12 were removed starting in the 2022 season, with the teams with the two best records in the conference making the conference title game.[3]

On August 4, 2023, Arizona announced it would join the Big 12 Conference beginning in the 2024–25 academic year.[4]

The Wildcats have won at least a share of six conference championships, as well as a Pac-12 South division title in 2014, and made 21 bowl appearances, one of which are among the "New Year's Six" bowls.

History

Arizona has had a long football history since it first played in 1899. Although the football program has been mostly playing in the shadow of the Wildcats' elite basketball program in terms of winning and recruiting which has been leading to many mediocre and losing seasons,[5] it has, however, had successful winning seasons sporadically over the years, primarily during the early part of the 1990s when it had a dominant defense that was known to fans as the "Desert Swarm".[6]

1899–1950s (Early history)

Coach Skinner

The varsity football program at the University of Arizona began in 1899, though the Wildcats nickname was not adopted until later.[7][8] Stuart Forbes became the first head coach of Arizona football history and the team compiled a 1–1–1 record.[9] From 1900 to 1901, William W. Skinner served as head football coach at the University of Arizona.[10] While there, he also studied geology. He guided Arizona to 3–1 and 4–1 records, respectively.[10] On November 7, 1914, the team traveled to the west coast to play Occidental, then one of the reigning gridiron powers in California. Occidental won 14–0. Arizona later received the name "Wildcats" after a Los Angeles Times correspondent, Bill Henry, wrote that "The Arizona men showed the fight of wildcats".

Pop McKale was a very successful high school coach in the Tucson area when he was hired at UA.[11] In 1921, Drop-kicker/receiver Harold "Nosey" McClellan led the nation in scoring with 124 points. Wildcats finished the regular season 7–1, and were invited to UA's first bowl game, the East-West Christmas Classic in San Diego, to play powerhouse Centre College of Kentucky; Arizona lost the game 38–0. The Wildcats did not compete in football in 1918 due to World War I. On October 18, 1926, UA quarterback and student body president John "Button" Salmon died from injuries sustained in a car wreck. His final words, spoken to coach "Pop" McKale, were: "Tell them.....tell the team to Bear Down."[12] Soon thereafter, the UA student body adopted "Bear Down" as the school's athletic motto.

On October 18, 1929, Arizona opened up Arizona Stadium for college football play. They won their first game against Caltech with a shutout score of 25–0. McKale retired after sixteen seasons at Arizona. The McKale Center, the Wildcats' home basketball venue, was opened in 1973 and named in McKale's honor.[11] In 1931, Arizona joined the Border Conference and Fred Enke replaced McKale as coach and in one season as the head coach, he posted a record of 3–5–1[13] before getting demoted to assistant coach. Gus Farwick served as the head football coach at Arizona in 1932, compiling a record of 4–5[14] before his resignation. Tex Oliver coached the Arizona Wildcats to a 32–11–4 record in five seasons.[15] During that stretch, his teams never had a losing season.[15] Oliver's "Blue Brigade" played an expanded, more nationwide schedule, and Arizona produced their first All-Americans under Oliver. The team's 1938 record of 8–2 was a school best to date.[15] Oliver resigned after the 1937 season to accept the head football coach position at Oregon.[16] Orian Landreth replaced Oliver and struggled in his one season as head coach, compiling a 3–6 record[17] before he was fired. That season was the first losing season for the Wildcats in several years.

Mike Casteel came to Arizona from his post as an assistant coach at Michigan State. In his eight seasons (Arizona did not field football teams in 1943 or 1944 due to World War II), Casteel compiled a 46–26–3 record and led the Wildcats to the first bowl berth in three decades in his final season, a loss in the 1949 Salad Bowl to Drake.[18] Bob Winslow served as Arizona's head football coach for three seasons, posting a record of 12–18–1, with the team improving every year under his tutelage, going 2–7–1, 4–6 and 6–5 in Winslow's three years.[19] Winslow resigned after three seasons.

In 1954, under coach Warren Woodson, who came to Arizona from Hardin–Simmons, the Wildcats were led by starting halfback Art Luppino. He went on to lead the nation in rushing, scoring, all-purpose running, and kickoff returns.[20] Luppino became the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation in rushing twice.[20] He also tied for the national title in all-purpose running and was third in scoring.[20] Woodson was replaced after five seasons and a 26–22–2 record[21] and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1989. Ed Doherty came to Arizona from his post as an assistant coach for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.[22] In two seasons, Doherty compiled a record of 4–15–1[23] before getting fired. Doherty is the only person to serve as head football coach at both Arizona and archrival Arizona State.[24] Jim LaRue, formerly running backs coach at Houston, was hired to take over the program as head coach after Doherty's firing. LaRue's 1961 team finished 8–1–1 and finished the season ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll.[25]

1960s–1977 (The WAC era)

In 1962, Arizona (and rival Arizona State) left the Border Conference and joined the Western Athletic Conference, and LaRue posted records of 5–5, 5–5, 6–3–1, 3–7 and 3–7 before being was fired due to poor results as well as pressure from fans and alumni.[25][26]

Coach Mudra

Darrell Mudra came to Arizona from North Dakota State in 1967 to lead the team after LaRue's dismissal.[27] His first team posted a record of 3–6–1 but in his second year, Mudra's Wildcats posted a record of 8–3, capped with a loss to Auburn in the Sun Bowl, only the Wildcats third bowl appearance in school history and first since 1949.[28] Mudra left Arizona after two seasons to accept the head football coach position at Western Illinois.[29] His final record is 11–9–1.[27] Mudra was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2000.[27] In 1969, Bob Weber was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach following Mudra's departure.[30] Under Weber, the Wildcats were 16–26, with their best season being a 5–6 1971 season.[31] Weber failed to post a winning season as Arizona's head coach and was fired after four seasons.

In 1973, Jim Young, formerly defensive coordinator at Michigan, was hired to turn around the downtrodden Wildcats football program.[32] Improvement came immediately, as Young's team surprised the nation with an 8–3 record in his first season and shared the WAC title with Arizona State, Unfortunately, the Wildcats did not go to a bowl game due to losing the head-to-head rivalry game to ASU that season (at the time, only the outright conference winner earned a bowl since there were fewer bowl games available, unless a team from the same conference appears in a major bowl).[33] Young's Wildcats went on to post records of 9–2 in 1974 and 1975, the latter ending with a No. 13 and No. 18 ranking in the Coaches and AP polls, respectively (like in 1973, both seasons ended in no bowl appearances for the Wildcats due to them finishing second in the WAC).[33] In a rebuilding year, Young's team posted a 5–6 record in 1976 to cap Young's mark of 31–13 in four seasons.[33] Young departed Arizona after the 1976 season to accept the head football coach position at Purdue.[34] He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1999.[35]

By 1977, Arizona hired Tony Mason from Cincinnati to replace Young.[36] Under Mason, the Wildcats went 5–7, 5–6 and 6–5–1 for a combined record of 16–18–1.[37] The 1977 season was the last for Arizona as a member of the WAC.

1978–1980s (The early Pac-10 years)

Before the 1978 season, both Arizona schools accepted an invitation to join the Pacific 8 Conference (which became the Pac-10).[38] After a mediocre inaugural Pac-10 season, the Wildcats would rebound in 1979, and played in the Fiesta Bowl, ultimately losing to Pittsburgh.[37] Mason was let go as head coach after the season due to an alleged slush fund scandal involving him and the program during his tenure.[39]

Prior to the start of the 1980 season, Arizona hired Tulane coach Larry Smith, to replace Mason.[40] His first season was Arizona's third in the Pac-10. Smith put great emphasis on in-state recruiting, built up the rivalry with ASU, and focused the team on what he called "running and hitting". His first team went 5–6, including a 44–7 blowout loss to ASU; it would be his only losing season at Arizona. The highlight of the season was a 23–17 upset of second-ranked UCLA (the Bruins were poised to become No. 1 as top ranked Alabama had lost earlier in the day).[41] The team improved to 6–5 during his second season, highlighted by a major 13–10 upset of #1 USC on the road. It was Arizona's first victory over a top-ranked team in program history.[42]

In 1982, the Wildcats improved and finished with a record of 6–4–1, which included upset victories over Notre Dame and rival ASU (with the latter being knocked out of the Rose Bowl as a result). However, Arizona was ineligible for a bowl game due to self-imposing a postseason ban prior to the start of the season as a result of the scandal under Mason's watch. The NCAA would eventually punish the Wildcats by placing them on probation and barred them from bowl eligibility in the 1983–84 seasons.[43]

Despite the NCAA sanctions, Arizona continued to become competitive in the Pac-10 under Smith's leadership, and began to dominate Arizona State, and by 1985, their bowl ban was lifted. They played in the Sun Bowl, where a tie with Georgia gave the Wildcats an 8–3–1 record. In 1986, they defeated ASU yet again and defeated North Carolina in the Aloha Bowl for their very first bowl victory and finished with a 9–3.[41] Seven Arizona players earned All-America honors during his tenure, including two-time consensus All-American linebacker Ricky Hunley and All-Americans linebacker Lamonte Hunley (Ricky's younger brother), Morris Trophy-winning center Joe Tofflemire, safety Allan Durden, placekicker Max Zendejas (who is known for kicking game-winning field goals against Arizona State in 1983 and 1985), linebacker Byron Evans, and safety Chuck Cecil (who is known for returning an interception for a touchdown in the win against ASU in 1986). Over twenty of Smith's Wildcats players went on to play professionally.[41] Smith departed after the season to accept the head football coach position at conference foe USC.[44] Smith ended has Arizona tenure with a 48–28–3 record. He died in 2008 and was voted as the second-best Wildcat football coach only behind his successor, Dick Tomey.

1990s–2000 (Tomey and the "Desert Swarm")

Coach Tomey circa 1973

In 1987, Tomey arrived in Arizona from Hawaii to replace Smith.[45] During his 14-season tenure with Arizona, he coached five future NFL first-round draft choices, 20 All-Americans, and 43 Pac-10 first team players.

His best teams were in the 1990s, highlighted by a tenacious defense nicknamed the "Desert Swarm." He led Arizona to at least ten wins in 1993 and 1998 and resigned after the 2000 season.[46]

In Tomey's first year, the Wildcats seemed to miss Smith's presence and had to rebuild, leading to a season where they had three ties, with one of them against Arizona State (the only tie in the rivalry's history). However, Arizona would improve from 1988 to 1990 as they started to win under Tomey, and won against North Carolina State in the Copper Bowl in 1989 (which was played at Arizona Stadium, the first time that the Wildcats played a bowl game on their home field). In 1990, the Wildcats would lose to Syracuse in the Aloha Bowl.

After missing the postseason in 1991, Arizona entered the 1992 season with Tomey on the hot seat due to the team's poor record during the previous year. However, the so-called "Desert Swarm" defense began to dominate and was characterized by tough, hard-nosed tactics. Arizona led the nation in scoring defense and nose guard Rob Waldrop was a consensus All-American. The season included an upset victory over top-ranked Washington, which fans called the biggest Arizona win in the decade and the turning point for the program at the time.[47] It was also Arizona's second win over a #1 team. The Desert Swarm would ultimately lead Arizona to a winning record. However, Arizona's offense seemed to be overshadowed by the dominant performance by the "Swarm" and it led to them scoring fewer points, and lost to Baylor in the Sun Bowl (then known at the time as the John Hancock Bowl). Tomey was awarded the Pac-10 coach of the year for the team's efforts.

In 1993, the Swarm continued its dominance and it led to Arizona winning nine games in a season for the first time since 1975, and won a share of the Pac-10 title with UCLA and USC. However, the Wildcats split the two games against the two during the season, winning against the Trojans and losing to the Bruins, and it prevented Arizona from earning a trip to the Rose Bowl. The Wildcats would be invited to the 1994 Fiesta Bowl and the Desert Swarm led the way to a victory over Miami by a score of 29–0. It was the bowl game's first shutout in its history. Arizona ended the year with a 10–2 record, which was the first time in school history that the Wildcats won at least ten games or more in a season. The dominant Swarm, led by Waldrop and linebacker and future Super Bowl champion Tedy Bruschi, led the nation in total defense and rushing yards allowed. Waldrop would be named the Pac-10 defensive player of the year.

Arizona entered the 1994 season ranked sixth and were top contenders for the Rose Bowl and a possible national championship. Despite the continuation of the Desert Swarm's dominance, Arizona's offense, however was below-average at times and it led to Arizona dropping out of the Rose Bowl picture. The season ended with an 8–4 record and a loss to Utah in the Freedom Bowl.

After mediocre seasons from 1995 to 1996, despite Bruschi winning the 1995 Pac-10 defensive player of the year award, Arizona ended the 1997 season with a win over old rival New Mexico in the Insight Bowl in only their second bowl game played at home.

By 1998, Arizona's offense began to improve and started to dominate in the Pac-10, with fans nicknaming it the "Desert Storm" due to their performance and as a pun on the Desert Swarm name.[48] It led the team to a near-perfect record of 11–1, with the Wildcats being defeated by UCLA midway through the season that denied an outright Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl berth. A major highlight occurred earlier in the season when Arizona scored a memorable touchdown in the closing seconds against Washington, which led to a road victory. They would play in the Holiday Bowl and defeated Nebraska to end the year with 12 wins, eclipsing the 1993 record.[49] Arizona ended the season ranked fourth nationally in both the coaches and AP polls.

In 1999, the Wildcats were Rose Bowl and possible national title contenders. However, in the season opener, they were humiliated by traditional powerhouse Penn State and never recovered after that. By the 2000 season, Arizona's offense became inconsistent and suffered several close losses and ended the season on a losing streak, including a rivalry loss to Arizona State, and missed a bowl.[50] Tomey resigned under pressure after the season and it was mostly due to team's inability to accomplish their goal of making it to the Rose Bowl after several near-misses at it during his tenure.[51] He finished with a record of 95–64–4, with the 95 victories being the most by an Arizona coach. The Wildcats would decline in wins and went on a bowl game drought over the next several years, as well as consistently becoming overshadowed by Arizona's basketball team. Tomey would become rated as the best coach in Wildcat football history and he died in 2019, eleven years after his predecessor, Larry Smith.

2000s (Decline and rebuild)

After the 2000 season, former Illinois and Texas head coach John Mackovic was hired to replace Tomey for the 2001 season.[52] Mackovic was a college football analyst at ESPN at the time of his hiring.

Mackovic's tenure became a disaster, as he alienated his players and failed to post a winning record in two and a half seasons in Tucson.[53][54] Also, he finished with a 10–18 record and never had a winning season or went to a bowl game.[55] In his first season, which was affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Wildcats narrowly missed a bowl game yet again.

Midway through the 2002 season, Mackovic told one of his players that he was a disgrace to his family due to his poor performance (the player would later be arrested possessing 87 pounds of marijuana).[56][57] He also told another player to quit therapy or he would be kicked off the team. This and other incidents led 40 players (including future Pro Bowler Lance Briggs) to hold a secret meeting with school president Peter Likins. The players complained about Mackovic's constant verbal abuse, such as ugly tirades after losses. Mackovic offered a public apology to his players, the university, and fans.[58][59]

In 2003, however, whatever goodwill that he'd managed to restore quickly evaporated. Many players had lost their love for the game due to Mackovic's brusque manner and fans chanted "Fire Mackovic" during games. Five games into the season, Mackovic was fired and replaced on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz for the rest of the season.[60] School officials said they had to act because it was obvious that the Wildcats would not win with Mackovic at the helm.[61] Mackovic was known as the worst Arizona coach in history (his predecessor, Dick Tomey, was the best). Arizona also had poor recruiting during Mackovic's tenure that led to bad results, and were embarrassed by their opponents in most of their losses. The 2003 season was the worst in program history with a record of 2–10, with the ten losses being a school record at the time. Wildcat fans and nearly all of Tucson had seen enough of Mackovic and shifted their attention to basketball after the season ended.

In 2004, Arizona hired Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, brother of famed Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops, to become the Wildcats' next coach. Stoops was hired to rebuild the team and to clean up the program's mess caused by Mackovic's troubles.[62] Arizona began rebuilding and went 3–8 in Stoops' first two seasons, which included November upset victories over Arizona State in 2004 and UCLA in 2005.[63] However, due to his record at the time, Stoops' job was in critical danger and his margin for error was very thin. In 2006, Stoops led the Wildcats to an improved 6–6 record,[63] the first non-losing season for the school since 1999 when the Wildcats also went 6–6.[64] The Wildcats upset California and became bowl-eligible. However, a rivalry loss to Arizona State and a losing conference record prevented them from earning a bowl bid.

Arizona entered the 2007 season with high expectations, but a sputtering offense early in the season and close losses put them at 2–6 and were in danger of missing yet another bowl and Stoops being placed on the hot seat. However, the Wildcats would rebound and go on a winning streak, which included an upset win over then-#2 Oregon. It was the fourth consecutive season that Arizona upset a ranked team at home in the month of November. Unfortunately, the Wildcats would lose to ASU in the season finale yet again with a 5–7 record and missing out on a bowl once more.

By 2008, the Wildcats told Stoops that he needed to make a bowl game or he would lose his job. However, Arizona improved and became bowl-eligible by defeating ASU for the first time since 2004, which saved Stoops' job. With a 7–5 record, Arizona was invited to a bowl game for the first time since 1998 when Tomey was still the coach, and erased most of the memories of the Mackovic era. The Wildcats ultimately defeated BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl by a score of 31–21.[65]

In 2009, Arizona finished 8–5 for the second straight season.[63] However, the Wildcats would be embarrassed by Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl, which was a rematch of the 1998 meeting.[63][66] After the season ended, offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes left the Wildcats to become the head coach at Louisiana Tech (Dykes is currently the coach at TCU).[67] and defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, brother of both Mike and Bob, became the defensive coordinator at Florida State (he is now the head coach at Kentucky).[68] To replace them, Stoops promoted Bill Bedenbaugh and Seth Littrell to co-offensive coordinators, while promoting Tim Kish to be co-defensive coordinators with Greg Brown, who was hired from Colorado.

2010s (The Pac-12 era)

Arizona began the 2010 season with a possible shot at a Rose Bowl berth. However, they collapsed late in the season and lost to Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl by a score of 37–10.

Before the 2011 season began, the Pac-10 was renamed the Pac-12 after Utah and Colorado joined membership. The Wildcats began the year hoping to rebound and Stoops coaching for his job. After starting off with a win against in-state foe Northern Arizona in the opener, Arizona would lose to a series of ranked teams and fans became incensed by the team's poor performance and began calling for Stoops to be fired. After the Wildcats continued to lose, Stoops was fired for good in early October, finishing with a 41–50 record in his seven and a half seasons as Arizona coach.[69] Arizona said that Stoops' firing was a result of "the inability to win more games, below-average recruiting, and being unable to achieve the team's goal to make a Rose Bowl appearance", as well as Stoops' frequently misbehavior towards officials on the sidelines (which was often seen during TV broadcasts of Arizona games). Kish, the team's defensive coordinator, was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[70] (Stoops returned to the Sooner program soon thereafter as defensive coordinator; Kish, who had known the Stoops brothers for many years, followed Stoops and joined the Sooner staff as the linebackers coach.)[71] Under Kish, the Wildcats partially rebounded and won three of the final six games to finish with a 4–8 record. The later years of the Stoops era featured quarterback Nick Foles breaking Arizona records, including the single-season and career records for most passing yards and touchdowns. Foles would later win a Super Bowl in 2017 for the Eagles.

Coach Rich Rodriguez

After the conclusion of the 2011 season, Arizona hired Rich Rodriguez, former coach at Michigan and West Virginia, to become the Wildcats' new coach for the 2012 season.[72] Rodriguez is considered a pioneer of a no huddle, run-oriented version of the spread offense, although a pass-first version was already being implemented by others.[73][74][75] Rodriguez hired Jeff Casteel, who served under him during his tenure at West Virginia, as the new defensive coordinator for Arizona.[76] Casteel is considered one of the top defensive coaches in the nation, and considered master of the 3–3–5 "odd stack" defense.[77]

In his first two seasons, Rodriguez took the Wildcats to 8–5 records, both of which ended in bowl victories, defeating Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl in 2012 after a wild comeback,[78] and winning the Independence Bowl over Boston College in 2013.[79] Major highlights of the 2012–13 seasons were big upset victories over ranked opponents, with Arizona defeating USC in the former year and Oregon in the latter. Also, in both seasons, the performance of running back Ka'Deem Carey led the Wildcat offense, and set Arizona records for rushing yards and touchdowns scored.

In 2014, the Wildcats completed a 10–2 regular season, only the third time in Arizona history that they won ten games in a season and the first since 1998. The solid performance, led by quarterback Anu Solomon, linebacker Scooby Wright III (who earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year among other honors), and running backs Terris Jones-Grigsby and Nick Wilson, led the Wildcats to the Pac-12 South Division title, which was the first divisional championship in program history, and advanced to the conference title game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where they were dominated by Oregon, 51–13, and led to Oregon clinching a spot in both the Rose Bowl and the inaugural College Football Playoff (Arizona had upset the Ducks earlier in the season for the second year in a row).[80] The Wildcats earned a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, the school's third major-bowl appearance, where they fell to Boise State. It was Arizona's first appearance in a Fiesta Bowl since the 1993 season. They finished the season ranked 17th in the USA Today Coaches Poll]] and 19th in the AP poll. In addition to the upset of Oregon, highlights of the regular season included a comeback win over California on a Hail Mary touchdown pass on the final play, a win over Washington on a last-second field goal, and outlasting Arizona State for the division championship. In addition, Rodriguez was named the Pac-12 coach of the year, becoming the second Arizona coach to win the award (Dick Tomey won it in 1992).

In 2015, with most of their roster returning, Arizona started off as Pac-12 title contenders. However, they faltered during the second half of the season but still managed to earn a bowl bid. They finished with a record of 7–6 and defeated New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl, which was played on New Mexico's campus in Albuquerque, similar to the Wildcats playing the Lobos in the Insight Bowl in 1997 that was played in Tucson.[81] Arizona did manage to pull off an overtime win against then-#10 Utah in the regular season in yet another November upset victory, mirroring the accomplishments that occurred during the early Stoops era.

After an injury-plagued 2016 season that kept them out of a bowl, the Wildcats recovered in 2017, becoming bowl-eligible with seven wins before falling short against Purdue in the Foster Farms Bowl.[82] The Wildcats finished with a record of 7–6. After a 2–2 start to the season, Arizona turned things around under the performance of dual-threat option quarterback Khalil Tate, which became especially impressive. In an early October game against Colorado, Tate proceeded to run for 327 yards, an NCAA single-game record for quarterbacks, breaking the previous record of 316 set by Northern Illinois' Jordan Lynch in 2013. Arizona went on to win the game, 45–42.[83] Tate was awarded the Pac-12 offensive player of the week and would lead the Wildcats on a winning streak. In addition, Tate was named Pac-12 offensive player of the week for four consecutive weeks – setting a conference record, and leading to him briefly being spoken of as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.[84] However, Arizona's defense would let the team down in November, and led to them losing their bowl game. Also, the Wildcats' late-season collapse may have likely cost Tate the Pac-12 offensive player of the year award.

Rodriguez was dismissed as head coach on January 2, 2018, in the wake of an internal university investigation of sexual harassment claims made by Rodriguez' former administrative assistant.[85] Other factors in Rodriguez being fired was the lack of winning enough games that mattered as well as not bringing in elite recruiting classes to the program. Arizona was forced to find a new coach to rebuild the program.

To replace Rodriguez, Arizona hired Kevin Sumlin to take over the team. Sumlin was previously head coach at Texas A&M University and Houston.[86][87] Sumlin also became the first black football coach to lead the Wildcats.[88]

In his first season in 2018, Sumlin instituted a new offensive scheme and the Wildcats struggled to a 5–7 record. As the offense went in a new direction, Tate was unable to repeat his 2017 performance. After a poor start, the Wildcats would find their rhythm and started to win again. A low point of the season occurred in the finale in the rivalry game against Arizona State. With a potential chance at bowl-eligibility at stake, the Wildcats entered the final quarter thinking the game was over with a large lead, which led to a collapse and ultimately losing. In 2019, with Tate returning, Arizona started 4–1 early in the season but played poorly on both offense and defense and finished the year on a seven-game losing streak that included another rivalry loss to ASU for a 4–8 record.

2020s–present (Future and Big 12 move)

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic put an effect on the Wildcats as well as the entire college football season. Prior to the start of the year, Arizona announced that Sumlin would return as coach after fans called for him to be fired late in the previous season. It followed an offseason of poor recruiting and players taking COVID-19 opt-outs. The year began with Sumlin being placed on the hot seat, meaning that he needed to take the team to the postseason in order for him to keep his job.[89] The COVID-19 outbreak would cause several cancellations of games and leading schedules to be shortened and truncated, and playing only conference games for each team, including the Pac-12.

Arizona, unfortunately, continued to lose and was destroyed by Arizona State by a 70–7 score in the finale. Sumlin was fired after the conclusion of the season, with Arizona citing wins and losses and Sumlin finishing with a 0–3 record against ASU.[90] Fans expressed disapproval with Sumlin's leadership, including lack of winning, poor coaching decisions, weak recruiting, and an overall decline in the reputation of the program, all of which were major factors for Sumlin's firing, though Arizona said that Sumlin not meeting expectations was the main reason for his dismissal.[91][92]

Soon after Sumlin was fired, Arizona conducted a national coaching search. Former college and NFL coach Jedd Fisch was chosen as the Wildcats' next head football coach, as announced on December 23, 2020.[93] Fisch and San Jose State coach Brent Brennan (a former assistant under Wildcat coach Dick Tomey in his final year in Tucson, as well for a few seasons at San Jose State) were the two finalists for the opening. Fisch has previous ties to Arizona president Dr. Robert Robbins,[94] and has extensive NFL assistant coaching experience (for five different franchises) and was previously a collegiate assistant at UCLA, Minnesota,[95] and Miami.[96]

In Fisch's first season in 2021, the Wildcats played an average defense that kept them in most of their games. However, injuries and inexperience on the offense led to scoring fewer points and would cost them a chance at wins. After an 0–8 start which included an upset loss to Northern Arizona earlier in the season (Arizona had not lost to NAU since 1932 before then), Fisch would finally earn his first victory as Arizona coach when the Wildcats defeated California in early November, with several players and coaches for the Golden Bears were out because of COVID-19.[97] It turned out to Arizona's only win of the season, as they finished with a 1–11 record, including a loss to Arizona State for the fifth straight year. The eleven losses are the most in a single season for Arizona, surpassing the record of ten set by the 2003 team.

In 2022, Fisch would capitalize on recruiting and player transfers to turn around the program. The Wildcats rebuilt their offense and took down Division I (FCS) powerhouse North Dakota State and upset UCLA despite a poor defense. Arizona would conclude the season on a high note by defeating ASU to end their futility against their rival.[98] They would finish the year with a 5–7 record, which was a four-game improvement from the previous season.

The Wildcats began the 2023 season hoping to get to a bowl game as they would continue to rebuild and improve. With a fixed defense and a dynamic offense led by a change at quarterback (with Noah Fifita taking over for an injured Jayden de Laura), Fisch began to take the team on a winning run. Fifita threw often to his former high school teammate Tetairoa McMillan as well as wide receiver Jacob Cowing and tight end Tanner McLachlan as top targets. Running backs Michael Wiley and Jonah Coleman were also standout offensive performers.

From mid-October to early November of the season, Arizona would compete a rare accomplishment by defeating three straight ranked teams, all Pac-12 opponents (Washington State, Oregon State, and UCLA), and winning six straight games overall to end the regular season, their longest winning streak since 1998, all which led to them becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2017. The Wildcats, who finished the regular season with a 9–3 record and 14th in the AP top 25 poll (their highest since 2014, which was also the last time that they at least nine games)[99] After winning big against Utah and rival Arizona State (which was their first rivalry win on the road since 2011), they were invited to play in the Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma, who along with Texas, will leave the Big 12 for the SEC in 2024.[100] (ironically, Arizona's last appearance in the Alamo Bowl was an embarrassing loss to Oklahoma's rival Oklahoma State in 2010).

After the 2023 season, Arizona, along with Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado, is set to join the Big 12 Conference for 2024 and beyond, ending a 45-year run in the Pac-12.

Conference affiliations

Head coaches

The following are the head coaches of the Arizona Wildcats.

No. Season Names Record Pct
11899Stuart Forbes1–1–1.500
21900–1901William W. Skinner7–2.778
31902Leslie Gillette5–01.000
41903–1904Orin A. Kates5–1–2.667
51905William M. Ruthrauff5–2.714
61908–1909H. B. Galbraith8–1.889
71910–1911Frank Shipp8–1–1.850
81912Raymond L. Quigley2–1.667
91913Frank A. King2–2.500
101914–1930Pop McKale80–32–6.703
111931Fred Enke3–5–1.389
121932August W. Farwick4–5.444
131933–1937Tex Oliver32–11–4.723
141938Orian Landreth3–6.333
151939–1948Mike Casteel46–26–3.633
161949–1951Bob Winslow12–18–1.403
171952–1956Warren B. Woodson26–22–2.540
181957–1958Ed Doherty4–15–1.225
191959–1966Jim LaRue41–37–2.525
201967–1968Darrell Mudra11–9–1.548
211969–1972Bob Weber16–26.381
221973–1976Jim Young31–13.705
231977–1979Tony Mason16–18–1.471
241980–1986Larry Smith48–28–3.627
251987–2000Dick Tomey95–64–4.595
262001–2003John Mackovic10–18.357
272003Mike Hankwitz (interim)1–6.143
282004–2011Mike Stoops41–50.451
292011Tim Kish (interim)3–3.500
302012–2017Rich Rodriguez43–35.551
312018–2020Kevin Sumlin9–20.310
322021–2023Jedd Fisch15–21.417
332024–presentTBD0–0–

Coaching staff

Arizona Wildcats
NamePositionConsecutive season at Arizona in current positionPrevious position
Brennan CarrollOffensive coordinator / offensive line4thSeattle Seahawks – Offensive line (2020)
VacantDefensive coordinator1st
Scottie GrahamAssociate head coach for offense / running backs4thArizona State – Assistant athletic director (2014–2020)
John RichardsonAssistant head coach for defense / cornerbacks2ndWashington State (2021-2022)
Jimmie DoughertyAssistant head coach for offense / quarterbacks/pass game coordinator4thUCLA - (2017–2020)
Kevin CummingsAssistant head coach for offense/Wide receivers4th

San Jose State – Wide receivers (2017–2020)

Jordan PaopaoAssistant head coach for offense/Tight ends/Co-Special teams coordinator4thUNLV – Tight ends (2020)
Ricky HunleyAssistant head coach for defense/ defensive line4th

Memphis – Defensive line (2014–2015)

Chuck CecilAssistant head coach for defense/safeties4thArizona – Defensive analyst (2018–2020)
Tyler OwensAssociate head coach / director of football strength & conditioning4thAlabama – Assistant of football strength & conditioning (2015–2020)
Reference:[101]

Championships

Conference championships

Arizona has claimed at least a share of six conference titles.[102]: 149–150 

Season Conference Coach Conference Record Overall Record
1935Border ConferenceTex Oliver4–07–2
1936Border ConferenceTex Oliver3–0–15–2–3
1941†Border ConferenceMiles W. Casteel5–07–3
1964†Western Athletic ConferenceJim LaRue3–16–3–1
1973†Western Athletic ConferenceJim Young6–18–3
1993†Pacific-10 ConferenceDick Tomey6–210–2

† Co-champions

Division championships

The Wildcats claimed the South Division title of the Pac-12 in 2014.

Season Division Coach Conf Record Overall Record Opponent Pac-12 CG Result
2014Pac-12 SouthRich Rodriguez7–210–2OregonL 13–51

Bowl games

Arizona has appeared in 22 bowl games, posting an overall record of 10-11–1. The team's most recent appearance in a bowl game was against Oklahoma at the 2023 Alamo Bowl.

The team's first official bowl game was the 1968 Sun Bowl, under coach Darrell Mudra. The Wildcats lost to the Auburn Tigers 34–10 in that contest. The team's next bowl game was the 1979 Fiesta Bowl, losing to Pittsburgh. After tying Georgia in the 1985 Sun Bowl, Arizona finally earned their first bowl win when they defeated North Carolina in the 1986 Aloha Bowl.

Arizona has been invited six times to one of the "New Year's Six" major bowl games (the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange, Cotton, and Peach Bowls), including two appearances in CFP in 2014 and Bowl Coalition game in 1993, both of which were Fiesta Bowls.

Not included in this tally of bowl games is Arizona's first "post-season" game, played in 1921 against the Centre Colonels during the San Diego East-West Christmas Classic. Arizona lost that game 38–0. Also not included was the 1949 Salad Bowl, against the Drake Bulldogs, Arizona lost 14–13.

Bowl game No. of appearances First year Last year Bowl record
Sun Bowl3196819920–2–1
Fiesta Bowl3197920141–2
Alamo Bowl2201020231–1
Cactus Bowl2198919972–0
Holiday Bowl2199820091–1
New Mexico Bowl2201220152–0
Aloha Bowl2198619901–1
Independence Bowl1201320131–0
Las Vegas Bowl1200820081–0
Foster Farms Bowl1201720170–1
Freedom Bowl1199419940-1

All-time series records

Arizona's season records are from the record books of the university's athletic association. Through November 27, 2023, Arizona has compiled an overall record of 632 wins, 499 losses, and 33 ties (including post-season bowl games).

All-time record against Pac-12 opponents

Opponent W-L-T (Percentage) Streak (W/L) First Year Last Year Next Year
Arizona State51–45–1 (.531)W2189920232024
California19–15–2 (.571)L119782022TBD
Colorado10–16–0 (.385)W2193120232024
Oregon17–29–0 (.370)L319372022TBD
Oregon State25–16–1 (.607)W119662024TBD
Stanford15–17–0 (.452)W119782023TBD
UCLA19–27–2 (.417)W219272023TBD
USC8–38–0 (.174)L1019162023TBD
Utah20–25–2 (.447)W1192420232024
Washington11–25–1 (.311)L619782021TBD
Washington State28–18–2 (.600)W119632023TBD
Totals 221-271-9(.450)

At the end of the 2023 season, the Pac-12 will likely dissolve as ten of the conference's twelve members (including Arizona) will leave for new conferences.

All-time record against future Big 12 opponents

Opponent W-L-T (Percentage) Streak (W/L) First Year Last Year Next Year
Arizona State51–45–1 (.531)W1189920232024
Baylor0–1–0 (.000)L1199219922025
BYU12–12–1 (.500)L3193620212024
Colorado10–16–0 (.385)W2193120232024
Cincinnati0–0–0 (–)–202520252026
Houston1–3–0 (.250)L2196920182024
Iowa State4–1–1 (.750)W2194819682025
Kansas2–3–1 (.417)L1193719662025
Kansas State5–1–1 (.786)W1194719782024
Oklahoma State4–5–0 (.444)W1193120122025
TCU1–1–0 (.500)L1199920032024
Texas Tech5–26–2 (–)W1193220192024
UCF0–0–0 (–)–20242027
Utah20–25–2 (.447)W1192420232024
West Virginia0-0–0 (–)–20242026 2024
Totals 100-139-9(.421)

All-time record against in-state opponents

Arizona's athletic program operated with a limited budget for the first several years after its establishment in 1899. To reduce travel costs, early Arizona football teams played limited slates of games, mostly against squads from nearby schools. Local scheduling resulted in the development of gridiron rivalries with several in-state private colleges, most notably Arizona State and Northern Arizona.

Opponent W-L-T (Percentage) Streak (W/L) First Year Last Year Next Year
Arizona State51–45–1 (.526)W2189920232024
Northern Arizona16–2–0 .889W1193220232024
Totals 67-47-1(.587)

All records accurate as of the conclusion of the 2023 season

Rivalries

Arizona State

The primary rival of the Wildcats is Arizona State. Both teams are members of the South Division of the Pac-12. The annual matchup the two schools is known as the "Duel in the Desert." The winner receives the Territorial Cup trophy. Originating in 1899, the Wildcats lost the first game by a score of 11–2. Arizona leads the series at 51–45–1 through the end of the 2023 season.[103]

New Mexico

A major rival of the Wildcats in the 1900s was against the New Mexico Lobos. The series was intense until the annual matchup was canceled after the 1990 season. Both teams have met twice in bowl games, with Arizona winning both, as they won the 1997 Insight.com Bowl and the 2015 New Mexico Bowl. Arizona leads the head-to-head series at 44–20–3 with the most recent game played in 2015.[104] They have a non-conference game scheduled in Tucson for 2024.[105]

Home Stadium and facilities

Arizona Stadium

Arizona plays its home games at Arizona Stadium, which located on the campus in Tucson. The stadium capacity is 50,800 as of 2022.[106]

Lowell-Stevens Football Facility

Located on the north end of Arizona Stadium, the 187,000 square foot facility houses the football programs weight room, locker room, medical treatment room, players lounge, cafeteria, coaches' offices, auditorium for team meetings, as well as a media room.[107] The facility also offers 4,200 chair seating, as well as 500 premium seating.[108]

Traditions

Logos and uniforms

Starting in the 2010 season, Arizona wore new uniforms. They are simplified versions of the uniforms worn from 2005 to 2009, with the addition of a white helmet with a red-white-blue stripe. The team may use any combination of its two helmets, three jerseys and three pants. On September 29, 2012, the Wildcats unveiled a new copper helmet and for the Territorial Cup game later that season, they unveiled an all-red helmet.

On September 20, 2015, the Wildcats unveiled a new "chrome red" helmet which they wore on September 26, 2015, against the UCLA Bruins.

On August 4, 2021, Arizona announced it would be going back to an updated version of their "Desert Swarm" uniforms worn during the Dick Tomey era.[109]

Individual accomplishments

National winners

Conference awards

Heisman voting

Arizona has had two players finish in the top 10 of the Heisman Trophy voting as of 2017.

Year Name Pos Finish Ref.
2013 Ka'Deem Carey RB 10th [116][117]
2014 Scooby Wright III LB 9th [118][119]

All-Americans

Canadian Football Hall of Fame

There are two former Wildcat players inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Player Pos. Years CFL Team(s) Inducted Ref.
Ted UrnessC1958–1960Saskatchewan Roughriders (1961–1970)1989[120]
Terry VaughnWR1990–1993Calgary Stampeders (1995–1998)
Edmonton Eskimos (1999–2004)
Montreal Alouettes (2005)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2006)		2011[121]

College Football Hall of Fame

Arizona has four former players and three former coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as of 2017.[102]: 63 

Player Pos. Career Inducted
Warren B. Woodson Head coach 1952–1956 1989
Ricky Hunley LB 1980–1983 1997
Jim Young Head coach 1973–1976 1999
Darrell Mudra Head coach 1967–1968 2000
Chuck Cecil DB 1984–1987 2009
Rob Waldrop DL 1990–1993 2011
Tedy Bruschi LB 1991–1995 2013

Future opponents

On November 1, 2023, Arizona's Big-12 opponents from 2024 through 2027 were revealed, with their rivalry game against Arizona State being a protected annual game.[122]

Future Arizona Wildcats Football Schedule
2024 2025 2026 2027
vs Arizona State vs BYU vs Arizona State vs Colorado
vs Colorado vs Baylor vs Utah vs Houston
vs Texas Tech vs Oklahoma State vs TCU vs Kansas State*
vs Houston vs Kansas vs Iowa State vs UCF
vs West Virginia at Arizona State vs Cincinnati at Arizona State
at BYU at Colorado at BYU at Utah
at Utah at Houston at Texas Tech at Baylor
at TCU at Iowa State at Kansas State* at Oklahoma State
at UCF at Cincinnati at West Virginia at Kansas

Arizona and Kansas State will play each other as non-conference opponents in both 2024 and 2025 due to the two teams announcing a home-and-home series prior to Arizona joining the Big 12. They will play as conference teams starting in 2026.

Non-conference opponents

Announced non-conference schedules as of November 19, 2023.[123]

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033
New Mexico
Aug 31		 Hawaii
Aug 30		 Northern Arizona
Sep 5		 at Colorado State
Sep 4		 Colorado State
Sep 2		 at Hawaii
Aug 25		 at Virginia Tech
Aug 30		 Northern Arizona
Aug 30		 at Alabama
Sep 4		 Alabama
Sep 3
Northern Arizona
Sep 7		 Weber State
Sep 6		 Northern Illinois
Sep 19		 Northern Arizona
Sep 18		 Prairie View A&M
Sep 9		 Virginia Tech
Sep 8		 Northern Arizona
Sep 7		 at Air Force
Sep 6		 Northern Arizona
Sep 11		 Northern Arizona
Sep 10
at Kansas State
Sep 14		 Kansas State
Sep 13		 at Nebraska
Sep 16		 Air Force
Sep 15		 Wyoming
Sep 14		 Nebraska
Sep 13		 at Wyoming
Sep 17

Media

  • Radio flagship: KCUB (AM) - 1290 AM in Tucson, AZ
  • Spanish-language radio flagship: KTKT – 990 AM in Tucson, AZ
  • Broadcasters: Brian Jeffries (play-by-play) and Lamont Lovett (color analyst)
  • Spanish-language broadcasters: Francisco Romero (play-by-play) and Luis Hernandez (analyst)

The current flagship radio station for Wildcat football, men's basketball, and baseball is Tucson sports radio station KCUB, branded as "Wildcats Radio 1290" and simulcast on the FM side on Tucson classic hits station KHYT, branded as "K-Hit 107.5" (football and men's basketball only). From 1983 until 2004, the flagship station was news/talk radio station KNST. The primary play-by-play voice of Wildcat football, baseball and men's basketball, since 1987, is Brian Jeffries (after starting out as the color commentator for former CBS Sports announcer Ray Scott, who called Wildcats games from 1984 through the spring of 1987). The Phoenix radio affiliate for Arizona Wildcats football and men's basketball is KGME, branded as "Fox Sports 910."

  • Public address announcer: Jeff Dean

Previously: Jimmy Zasa

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arizona Wildcats football.

References

  1. ↑ "NCAA Football Award Winners" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2014. pp. 13–18. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Colors | University of Arizona Brand Resources". Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Pac-12 scraps divisions starting in the 2022 college football season".
  4. ↑ Robbins, Robert C. (August 4, 2023). "University of Arizona Will Join the Big 12 Conference in 2024-25". University of Arizona Athletics.
  5. ↑ "Overshadowed by basketball, Arizona football looks to recapture winning success". Arizona Daily Star. April 14, 2001.
  6. ↑ "Remembering the Cats' 'Desert Swarm' era". Tucson Citizen. August 31, 2004.
  7. ↑ George Moore (March 8, 1938). "47 Years of Arizona Collegiate Football". The Arizona Republic. p. 10.
  8. ↑ "The First Football Team, 1899". University of Arizona. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Arizona Football History Database". Nationalchamps.net. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  10. 1 2 Will Skinner Archived September 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved June 2, 2010.
  11. 1 2 Greg Hansen Arizona Daily Star (2011-08-21). "Greg Hansen: 'Pop' was the father of athletics at UA". Azstarnet.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  12. ↑ Gimino, Anthony (2013-07-21). "John Button Salmon taught UA how to 'bear down'". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  13. ↑ "Fred Enke Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  14. ↑ "Gus Farwick Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  15. 1 2 3 "Tex Oliver Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  16. ↑ Foster, Chris (April 13, 1988). "Services Set Today for G.A. (Tex) Oliver". Los Angeles Times.
  17. ↑ "Orian Landreth Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  18. ↑ "Miles Casteel Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  19. ↑ "Robert Winslow Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  20. 1 2 3 Gimino, Anthony (2013-08-28). "Top 50 football players in Arizona Wildcats history: No. 5 Art Luppino – AG's Wildcat Report". Tucsoncitizen.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-05. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  21. ↑ "Warren Woodson Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  22. ↑ "Times Daily - Google News Archive Search". Times Daily – via Google News Archive Search.
  23. ↑ "Edward Doherty Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  24. ↑ "Ed Doherty – Pima County Sports Hall of Fame".
  25. 1 2 "Reflecting on Arizona coaches as Rodriguez turns 50 today – ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com". Wildaboutazcats.net. 2013-05-24. Archived from the original on 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  26. ↑ "Ocala Star-Banner" – via Google News Archive Search.
  27. 1 2 3 "Former Coach Darrell Mudra Named to Football Hall of Fame – The University of Arizona Official Athletic Site". Arizonawildcats.com. 2000-04-24. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  28. ↑ "Darrell Mudra Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  29. ↑ "Darrell Mudra,1990 – The Official Athletics Site of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks". February 22, 2014. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  30. ↑ Opinion by Greg Hansen (2008-11-05). "Opinion by Greg Hansen : Former UA football coach 'was a character guy'". Azstarnet.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  31. ↑ "Bob Weber Coaching Record – College Football at". Sports-reference.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  32. ↑ Star, Arizona Daily. "Strack, who ushered UA into Pac-10 and hired Snowden, dies at 90".
  33. 1 2 3 "Jim Young Coaching Record". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  34. ↑ "Ex-purdue, Army Coach Finds Happiness As Arizona Assistant". Chicago Tribune. November 6, 1992.
  35. ↑ "Walker heads listof 14 Hall of Fame inductees".
  36. ↑ "The Tuscaloosa News" – via Google News Archive Search.
  37. 1 2 "Tony Mason Coaching Record". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  38. ↑ "UA, ASU officially join new Pac-10 conference". Arizona Daily Star. July 2, 1978.
  39. ↑ "Tony Mason Is Hired". The New York Times. July 26, 1981.
  40. ↑ "Former USC Head Football Coach Larry Smith Dies". Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  41. 1 2 3 Larry Smith: 1939–2008 Archived May 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Arizonaathletics.com, January 28, 2008.
  42. ↑ ARIZONA UPSETS U.S.C., 13–10, Associated Press (The New York Times paid archive, free abstract available), October 11, 1981.
  43. ↑ "UA football program handed down punishment by NCAA in wake of fraud scandal". Arizona Daily Star. May 21, 1983.
  44. ↑ Florence, Mal (January 3, 1987). "Larry Smith, the 'Outside' Choice, Named USC Football Coach". Los Angeles Times.
  45. ↑ "Tomey Is Coach at Arizona". Los Angeles Times. January 14, 1987.
  46. ↑ "Loss to ASU end of line for Tomey – Monday November 27, 2000 – The Arizona Daily Wildcat". Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  47. ↑ "Wildcats shut down top-ranked Washington for massive upset". The Arizona Republic. November 8, 1992.
  48. ↑ "Operation 'Desert Storm'? Wildcat offense on a mission". Tucson Citizen. November 9, 1998.
  49. ↑ "Dick Tomey Coaching Record". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  50. ↑ "ASU vs. Arizona: Territorial Cup all-time results".
  51. ↑ "The Wildcats' longtime coach quits after losing to ASU". CNN.
  52. ↑ "Sun Journal" – via Google News Archive Search.
  53. ↑ "John Mackovic was the worst". 16 August 2015.
  54. ↑ "'I stopped loving football because of Coach Mackovic'". 5 November 2003.
  55. ↑ "John Mackovic Coaching Record". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  56. ↑ "ESPN.com: NCF – Emotional Mackovic apologizes to players". static.espn.go.com.
  57. ↑ "ESPN.com: NCF – Arizona's Levasseur arrested with 87 pounds of marijuana". a.espncdn.com.
  58. ↑ Fish, Mike: "Apologies or No Apologies, Mackovic Has Had It", CNNSI.com, November 15, 2002.
  59. ↑ Arizona's Mackovic vows to change after player uprising Archived August 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Associated Press, 2002-11-15.
  60. ↑ "Arizona, off to 1–4 start, fires Mackovic". September 29, 2003.
  61. ↑ Bernstein, Viv. Lack of Communication doomed Mackovic. The New York Times, 2003-9-30.
  62. ↑ "Arizona Hires Mike Stoops". Los Angeles Times. November 30, 2003.
  63. 1 2 3 4 "Mike Stoops Coaching Record". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  64. ↑ "1999 Arizona Wildcats Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  65. ↑ "Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona 31, BYU 21". 21 December 2008.
  66. ↑ "Arizona vs. Nebraska — Game Recap". ESPN.com. December 30, 2009.
  67. ↑ "Louisiana Tech hires Dykes as new head coach". January 21, 2010.
  68. ↑ "Fsu's Fisher Works To Fill Coaching Staff". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  69. ↑ "Arizona Wildcats fire Mike Stoops as coach after 1-5 start".
  70. ↑ "Stoops Relieved of Duties" (Press release). University of Arizona Athletics Department. October 10, 2011. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011.
  71. ↑ Travis Haney (January 25, 2012). "It's official: Tim Kish will join OU football coaching staff". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  72. ↑ "Arizona announces Rodriguez hire on Twitter". 21 November 2011.
  73. ↑ Lang, Arne. "College Coaching Award". Archived from the original on November 20, 2006.
  74. ↑ Davie, Bob (25 May 2006). "Football 101: Mountaineers spread the wealth".
  75. ↑ May, Tim. "College football: Spread option remains in vogue". Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  76. ↑ Crow, Alfie (January 11, 2012). "Jeff Casteel Reunited With Rich Rodriguez, Named Arizona's Defensive Coordinator".
  77. ↑ Ryan Finley (January 14, 2012). "UA football: Arizona football: Casteel leaves roots, takes pay cut to fix UA defense". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  78. ↑ Kercheval, Ben (December 15, 2012). "Arizona scores twice in final two minutes to beat Nevada in New Mexico Bowl". Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  79. ↑ "Arizona cruises past Boston College 42–19". CNN.
  80. ↑ Schroeder, George. "Oregon dominates Arizona 51–13 to win Pac-12; next stop, playoff". USA TODAY.
  81. ↑ "2015 Arizona Wildcats Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  82. ↑ Lev, Michael. "Foster Farms Bowl: Khalil Tate's career performance not enough as Wildcats fall to Purdue 38–35". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  83. ↑ Lev, Michael. "Khalil Tate's record-setting performance propels Arizona Wildcats past Colorado". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  84. ↑ "Khalil Tate for Heisman? We break down the Arizona QB's chances". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  85. ↑ "Updated timeline: How Rich Rodriguez's firing unraveled at Arizona, which led the Wildcats to Kevin Sumlin". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  86. ↑ "University of Arizona fires football coach Rich Rodriguez". www.abc15.com. 3 January 2018.
  87. ↑ "Arizona Selects Kevin Sumlin to Lead its Football Program – Arizona, University of". Arizona, University of. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  88. ↑ "'It's a historical day': UA introduces first African-American head football coach". 16 January 2018.
  89. ↑ Cluff, Jeremy (January 20, 2020). "Arizona Wildcats' Kevin Sumlin among college football coaches on hot seat entering 2020". Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  90. ↑ "Arizona football coach Kevin Sumlin dismissed after three seasons". ESPN. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  91. ↑ Lev, Michael. "Why Kevin Sumlin didn't pan out as head coach of the Arizona Wildcats". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  92. ↑ Jackson, Wilton. "Arizona Wildcats Fire HC Kevin Sumlin". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  93. ↑ Lev, Michael (December 23, 2020). "Wildcats name Jedd Fisch new head coach; comes endorsed by Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll". Arizona Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2020-12-24.
  94. ↑ "Pats' Fisch replaces Sumlin as Arizona's coach". ESPN.com. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  95. ↑ "Gophers may be losing offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, who reportedly is expected to join Pete Carroll's Seattle Seahawks staff". Twin Cities. 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  96. ↑ "Coaching Profile: Jedd Fisch". WildcatAuthority.com. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  97. ↑ "Arizona snaps losing streak, gets win over depleted Cal team". ESPN.com. 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  98. ↑ "Arizona football beats ASU to win their first Territorial Cup since 2016". Arizona Daily Wildcat. November 28, 2022.
  99. ↑ Spears, Justin (2023-11-26). "Arizona Wildcats climb two spots to No. 14 in AP Top 25". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  100. ↑ Spears, Justin (2023-12-03). "Arizona Wildcats to face Oklahoma Sooners in Alamo Bowl". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  101. ↑ "2023 Football Coaching Staff". arizonawildcats.com.
  102. 1 2 "2017 Arizona Wildcat Media Guide". arizonawildcats.com (PDF). Arizona Wildcats Athletics. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  103. ↑ "Winsipedia – Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State Sun Devils football series history". Winsipedia.
  104. ↑ "Arizona Wildcats vs. New Mexico Lobos football series history". Winsipedia.
  105. ↑ "FUTURE ARIZONA FOOTBALL SCHEDULES".
  106. ↑ "2022 Arizona Football Media Guide" (PDF). University of Arizona Athletic Department. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  107. ↑ Gimino, Anthony. "UA: Inside the Lowell-Stevens football facility". AZCentral.com.
  108. ↑ "The University of Arizona Lowell-Stevens Football Facility". Archived from the original on 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  109. ↑ "Arizona brings back the Desert Swarm uniform". 4 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  110. ↑ ""Retirement of jerseys" at Wildcats website". Archived from the original on April 25, 2013.
  111. ↑ "Top 50 football players in Arizona Wildcats history: No. 5 Art Luppino". Tucson Citizen. August 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  112. ↑ "Top 50 football players in Arizona Wildcats history: No. 45, Steve McLaughlin". Tucson Citizen. July 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  113. ↑ College Football Awards – The Outland Trophy Archived 2008-05-03 at the Wayback Machine. Football.about.com (April 10, 2012). Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  114. ↑ College Football Awards – Jim Thorpe Award Archived 2016-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. Football.about.com (April 10, 2012). Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  115. ↑ Previous Winners | PB Sports Commission – Lou Groza. Lougrozaaward.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  116. ↑ "Arizona Wildcats running back Ka'Deem Carey 10th in Heisman voting". Tucson.com.
  117. ↑ "2013 Heisman Trophy Voting". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  118. ↑ "Marcus Mariota of Oregon Ducks wins Heisman Trophy". ESPN.com. 14 December 2014.
  119. ↑ "2014 Heisman Trophy Voting". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  120. ↑ "Harold Edward "Ted" Urness".
  121. ↑ "Terry Vaughn".
  122. ↑ "Big 12 Football Matrix 2024-2027" (PDF).
  123. ↑ "Arizona Wildcats Football Schedules and Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arizona Wildcats football.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.