Bear Down Wildcats

Fishclamps wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:39 pm Shouldnt this move make everyone potentially happy if it actually pans out? You get a guy who has strong Tucson ties and probably wont bail at least as fast as others using us as a stepping stone, and the players get to have Nansen back as AHC/DC and so they stay?

Edit: Plus also maybe Akina comes back with Nansen?

TheCat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:29 pm

SCCats wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:30 pm

azcat49 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:22 pm If somehow this team stays together and is galvanized, that 30/30 Fisch talked about will come true. They will be legends and Fisch will be the villain

Not just that: I think we can all imagine Fisch told the Washington AD ‘all my players will come with me if you hire me and UW immediately restocks.’

If that didn’t happen…well, that might be a bit of a rocky start up in Seattle.

His rocky start is called Oregon, Michigan, Ohio State and probably Wisconsin.

Fishclamps wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:21 pm I understand some people here are still working through their 5 stages of grief, but if this is a done deal all we can do now is hope this turns out to be a good hire and at least give the guy a chance.

TheCat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:09 pm well the players specifically asked for a coach they trust and we said naw we know better. Okay.

arizonawildcats wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:29 pm

AZCatGirl wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:37 am

arizonawildcats wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:29 pm

So for those that don't want to listen, it seems we picked him because Heeke/Robbins (and the boosters) are tired of having to pay for a new coach every few years, and all the money that goes into that. That want someone more permanent, and that's what Brennan is. There's also the hope they can keep Nansen, but obviously that isn't a guarantee. Also the thought seems to be that after the initial exodus of players we wont have to worry about that again for awhile because this guy is a more permanent solution. Basically a plan for the future type of hire.

Of course all that is assuming Brennan can deliver and we don't have to fire him because he sucks. Maybe in a few years we can hire someone better because the money issues will be resolved? At least that's what I hope.

Fishclamps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:37 am ..... basically his version of Fisch and Florida.

Fishclamps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:52 am And if Florida opens in a year and is willing to pay the lump sum to get him hes gone from Washington too. We know the dude is a merc.

Fishclamps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:37 am On your first point no we never would have been able to match, but his new contract had a higher buyout so that would have been good for us if he at least signed ours first. On the Brennan part people believe Brennan would be a lifer at Arizona if he's successful. Has ties to Tucson, never interviewed anywhere but here when it has opened, basically his version of Fisch and Florida.

Jedd Fisch, Washington and how to protect programs like Arizona

By Ari Wasserman - Jan 15, 2024



When the college football coaching carousel hit full steam in December, Jedd Fisch’s name was connected to most of the openings. When you’re winning at a place that felt hopeless three years ago, that’s what happens.

But as jobs opened and closed with Fisch staying put in Tucson, he maintained a steadfast commitment to Arizona. He used the word “loyalty” and appeared eager to continue what was already an impressive build. Arizona, after winning 10 games in 2023, was already being mentioned as a potential favorite to win the Big 12 in its first year in the conference.

But in this sport, things change abruptly. Nick Saban unexpectedly retired last week and Alabama replaced him with Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer a few days later. The Huskies, also moving swiftly, locked in on a few candidates, including Fisch. Twenty-four hours later, Arizona’s world got rocked.

Fisch accepted the Washington job Sunday. It was a sucker punch the size of Mt. Lemmon. In the snap of a finger, Arizona’s trajectory went from “to the moon” to hoping the entire program doesn’t crash back into the desert.

If you’re an Arizona fan, you’re probably feeling a range of emotions from angry to confused to even betrayed. You may be questioning if there’s even a reason to be a fan (I’m a UA alumn and the group chat is buzzing).

What’s the point of even trying to build something if every single time we’re on the right path, another program can just come in and take what we started with little to no pushback?

That’s real. In today’s college football, a coach can leave for more money and prestige and raid the cupboards of his old job on his way out. What’s in the cupboard? Good players. In Arizona’s case, there is legitimate angst that quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan — two of the best players at their position in the Pac-12 in 2023 — could be on the way to Seattle, too.

This happened to Arizona, but it’s a cautionary tale for every lower-tier program trying to sustain success.

I have a solution. We’ll get to that.

But first, let’s get this out of the way: Fisch didn’t do anything wrong. He parlayed his success at Arizona into a better, more prestigious job with more resources. We all do that in our professional lives.

Yes, sports are emotional and you may feel anger toward your former head coach. But according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Fisch will sign a seven-year deal worth $7.75 million per season, which is more than double the $3.25 million he was making at Arizona. Also, the seven years is two years longer than the five-year max deals Arizona state law allows for government employees. More prestige, more stability and more money. No-brainer.

We also have to acknowledge Arizona’s financial situation is bizarre at the moment. Arizona president Robert C. Robbins is dealing with a $240 million budget “miscalculation,” the effects of which led to an athletic department hiring freeze and budget reform. You can imagine how the head coach of Arizona football — who needs money for his recruiting budget and staff — would feel about that embarrassing scenario, let alone the impact it could have on his income potential.

Fisch isn’t a backstabber. He’s a coach with a family. I would have done the same thing.

It doesn’t always work out this way. Washington tried to hire Kansas head coach Lance Leipold this weekend, but Leipold — who, like Fisch, built something at a program that was once a laughingstock — is staying put in Lawrence.

When it does happen, though, coaches shouldn’t be able to take their players with them. If Fisch wants to bolt for more money and the American dream, fine. But he shouldn’t be able to take Fifita, McMillan or anyone else with him. It feels dirty. It feels wrong. It feels like a slap in the face to the employer who gave them their first opportunity. And if you aren’t comfortable with a permanent restriction, make it a one-year delay so the prospects aren’t part of the coaching deal.

I have a name for this rule: The Caleb-Lincoln Clause.

When Lincoln Riley abruptly left Oklahoma for USC a few years ago, he took star freshman quarterback Caleb Williams with him to Los Angeles. Williams won a Heisman trophy with the Trojans the following year.

No more of that.

You may wonder if that’s unfair to players, and maybe it is. Fifita’s family has been loyal to Fisch because the coach believed in the quarterback in high school when nobody else did. Fifita could, for all we know, be the starting quarterback at Ohio State — or someplace like that — heading into next fall had he bolted after his breakout redshirt freshman season. But he stayed in Tucson because of “loyalty.” Now, a month later, the coach is gone. It’s a bad break for the player, no question.

But in this new era of the sport in which players can transfer so freely — there’s a 30-day window open for everyone on Arizona’s roster to enter the portal — we have to put in some restrictions. Washington can hire the coach, but it shouldn’t also get an established quarterback and a potential first-round NFL Draft pick at receiver as part of the deal. It will always be difficult for Arizona to compete with programs with more tradition and better resources — just take a look at its history — but the Wildcats should at least have the opportunity to benefit from Fisch’s work moving forward.

That’s not to say Fifita or McMillan couldn’t transfer somewhere else now that the coach is gone. It just can’t be one program robbing the other.

The onus is now on Arizona to find another coach who can operate like Fisch. The benchmark of successful programs is the ability to remain afloat after losses. Even Alabama has to replace Saban. Coaches come and go, and competent programs with elite leadership weather those storms. Arizona can get another Fisch. It needs to.

But being a sports fan shouldn’t be hopeless.

It feels hopeless to be an Arizona fan today.

It could be even worse if the core of last year’s team — the one that was triumphantly going to lead the Wildcats to the Big 12 — is lighting up scoreboards for Washington in nine months.

UAEebs86 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:28 am You should post his conference record and championships Merk.

They get their ass kicked in the non-conferece every year for paydays against the big boys.

Merkin wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:24 am That sure won't win the press conference.

Only ranked once in his 7 years at SJSU with a 34-48 record and recent seasons of
5-7
7-5
7-6

pc in NM wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:40 am

Merkin wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:24 am That sure won't win the press conference.

Only ranked once in his 7 years at SJSU with a 34-48 record and recent seasons of
5-7
7-5
7-6

IMNSHO, he's a better "press conference" choice than was Fisch; and will get a MUCH BETTER reception on these boards than did Fisch, initially.

Admittedly, that's not much....

I do say, 1) we fulfilled the "fill that vacancy NOW" criteria, 2) he has Arizona ties, 3) he won a conference coach-of-the-year award, and 4) beggars can't be choosers.

I'm giving him, Robbins and Heeke the benefit of the doubt today.

There's really only one thing to do now: BTFD!!!!

dmjcat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:50 am

pc in NM wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:40 am

Merkin wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:24 am That sure won't win the press conference.

Only ranked once in his 7 years at SJSU with a 34-48 record and recent seasons of
5-7
7-5
7-6

IMNSHO, he's a better "press conference" choice than was Fisch; and will get a MUCH BETTER reception on these boards than did Fisch, initially.

Admittedly, that's not much....

I do say, 1) we fulfilled the "fill that vacancy NOW" criteria, 2) he has Arizona ties, 3) he won a conference coach-of-the-year award, and 4) beggars can't be choosers.

I'm giving him, Robbins and Heeke the benefit of the doubt today.

There's really only one thing to do now: BTFD!!!!

Agree completely, especially with #4 on your list.

Until the UA achieves one or more of the following:

1) Is admitted to the SEC/B1G (which is probably never happening)
2) Manages to permanently fill the 20,000 empty seats in AZ stadium for each and every game
3) Spits out a Phil $Knight$ alumnus

We are going to be on the lower totem pole of college football. Its all about money and the UA athletic dept. doesn't have that and likely never will. We simply are not going to compete successfully and regularly under the existing rules & media marketability of the UA. Getting rid of the transfer portal/NIL would help.

Coach Brennan is a guy who has been known for "Getting more out of less" which is exactly what the UA needs going forward.

Chicat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:24 pm At this point my criteria is no-fired HC retreads and do it fast.

Don’t let this drag out. Pretend there’s a plan.

Chicat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:49 am

Chicat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:24 pm At this point my criteria is no-fired HC retreads and do it fast.

Don’t let this drag out. Pretend there’s a plan.

Got my wish.

If Noah & TMac truly are returning, we ain’t dead yet!!!

Merkin wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:38 am Big if true.

Fishclamps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:12 am It's done

CalStateTempe wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:54 am

Fishclamps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:12 am It's done

Townie hire

But we’re broke so it makes sense

Good luck Brett

CalStateTempe wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:05 pm If DD is correct we roll…

dmjcat wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:21 pm

CalStateTempe wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:05 pm If DD is correct we roll…

Maybe.

The team is more than Fifita/TMAC. We need to keep the entire OL (they could easily follow Carrol to UW) and our DL's/DB's/LB's and Coleman (who's already in the portal) and the other WR's........etc, etc. etc.

But keeping Fifita/TMAC is a good start.

I will be anxiously watching the portal after Brennan speaks with the team.