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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Quick look at potential head coaching candidates for Arizona football

Texas+A%26M+head+coach+Kevin+Sumlin+talks+to+a+ref+in+the+second+quarter+on+Saturday%2C+Sept.+23%2C+2017+in+the+Southwest+Classic+in+Arlington%2C+Texas.+Texas+A%26M+has+fired+Sumlin+as+head+football+coach.+
Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin talks to a ref in the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 in the Southwest Classic in Arlington, Texas. Texas A&M has fired Sumlin as head football coach.

Arizona football head coach Rich Rodriguez was fired on Tuesday following allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile workplace claim. So for the first time in six seasons the Wildcats will have someone new at the helm. Here is a quick list of potential suitors for Arizona.

Chuck Cecil-

It was odd that Cecil came on to the coaching staff at the time that he did, and perhaps now there is a good reason for it. Cecil has been shadowing the program the entire season, monitoring practices and situating himself in the coaches booth for games. The only question is, could he handle the grind of recruiting and the intricacies of college football considering he has never coached at that level before.

Kevin Sumlin-

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin answers questions from the media during the Cotton Bowl Media Day at Cowboys Stadium Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012.
Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin answers questions from the media during the Cotton Bowl Media Day at Cowboys Stadium Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012.

The former Texas A&M head coach has huge ties to Texas and was a player favorite. The fans in College Station, not so much. Sumlin is 86-43 in his career at both Texas A&M and Houston while utilizing the spread offense, which would bode well for current quarterback Khalil Tate.

Glenn Parker-

Parker has been around the UA football program for quite a while now. His stint in the NFL would give him instant credibility not only with recruits but also with the locals in Tucson who struggle to get out to games. The same question stands for Parker as there is Cecil, does he want to withstand the grind of recruiting?

Lane Kiffin-

Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin talks to his defense in the first quarter against Akron in the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Football Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.
Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin talks to his defense in the first quarter against Akron in the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Football Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.

Would Lane Kiffin leave FAU after just one season? The answer is yes. Kiffin brings a lot of bang but also a lot of drama, but the guy can coach. This season he led the Owls to a 11-3 record while going 8-0 in Conference USA. Kiffin would love nothing more than to return to the Pac-12 and redeem his USC failure, but would the administration like the circus that comes?

Marcel Yates-

If Arizona wanted to stay in house, Yates would be a hire worth looking at. Yates is a player favorite and has done a solid job working with a young defense that appears prime for success. Yates has no previous head coaching experience but has served as defensive coordinator at both Arizona and Boise State.

Whoever comes into the situation in Tucson has some tools to work with. A quarterback on the rise and an up and coming defense make the Wildcats an interesting spot for whoever should land there.


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