Arizona’s embarrassing loss to Oklahoma State in the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl was the main event during break, but the Wildcats also lost three assistants, though they have filled two of the positions already. Here’s a timeline of all of Arizona football’s happenings over break.
Dec. 8, 2010: Brown and Tuiasosopo leave for Colorado
Arizona lost two assistant coaches to Pac-12 South foe Colorado when secondary coach Greg Brown and defensive tackles coach Mike Tuiasosopo agreed to join Jon Embree’s staff in Boulder, Colo.
Brown, who also served as a co-defensive coordinator, will return to his home state after only one season with the Wildcats. He coached for the Buffaloes from 1991-93 and 2006-09 and will return as their defensive coordinator.
Tuiasosopo spent seven seasons with the Wildcats and will most likely assume the same role he held with Arizona. He cited his relationship with Embree as his main motive for joining Colorado.
Dec. 16, 2010: Salave’a takes over as defensive tackles coach.
Former Wildcats and NFL defensive tackle Joe Salave’a filled the void left by Tuiasosopo, joining Arizona as the defensive tackles coach.
Salave’a played for the Wildcats from 1994-97 and the Oilers, Chargers and Redskins over the course of his nine NFL seasons. He most recently coached for San Jose State under former Arizona coach Dick Tomey but took 2009 off from coaching.
Dec. 29, 2010: Wildcats embarrassed in Alamo Bowl
For the second straight season, the Wildcats forgot to show up in the bowl season, this time getting blown out, 36-10, in an underwhelming effort against Oklahoma State in the 2010 Alamo Bowl.
Arizona turned the ball over four times — three interceptions from Nick Foles — and struggled to move the chains offensively as the Cowboys outplayed them in virtually every aspect of the game.
“”We should have played better than we did. Turnovers were certainly a big part of it. Just lack of execution is a big part of it,”” Stoops said after the game. “”We’ll have to reevaluate a lot of things we’re doing within our program. It’s hard to say. It’s disappointing we didn’t play better in back-to-back bowl games.””
The Wildcats imploded at the end of the season, losing their final five games to finish the season 7-6 after starting off 4-0 for the first time since 1998.
“”I just know we’re better than the way we’ve played here of late,”” Stoops said. “”For whatever reason, we didn’t finish very strong.””
Jan. 2, 2011: Bedenbaugh leaves for West Virginia
Co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh announced his departure to coach for West Virginia. After four seasons with the Wildcats, Bedenbaugh will handle the Mountaineers’ offensive line in the 2011 season.
Jan 3, 2011: Anae added to Arizona staff
One day after losing Bedenbaugh, the Wildcats added former BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae to the Arizona staff. Anae spent five years with the Cougars and will handle the offensive line and the running game for the Wildcats.
“”It couldn’t be a better fit for us, and for me and our offensive staff, bringing that maturity, success at virtually all levels,”” Stoops said of the Anae hiring.
Arizona inks three mid-year recruits
The Wildcats also nabbed three mid-year recruits during the break. Quarterback Daxx Garman, junior college punter Kyle Dugandzic and prep lineman Saneilia Fuimaono all accepted scholarships with Arizona and are enrolled in classes for the spring semester.
