Many who have been following the offseason for Arizona Football, received bad news this past weekend as defensive backs Coach Donte Williams took a job with Nebraska.
As if Arizona Football hadn’t taken enough significant blows on the football field this past season, it appears the Wildcats may have another setback as their defensive back coach and recruiting guru Donte Williams officially took a job offered by Nebraska for double the pay and more responsibility.
Coveted for his recruiting ability, Williams was offered a position to coach corner backs and sub-package specialists for the Cornhuskers. He has been a big part of Arizona’s recruiting success this year so far, and there is certainly a little anxiousness as he departs the Wildcats and flies toward his new home in Omaha.
The Lincoln Journal Star confirmed the major reason for the move it seems, we don’t know for sure, but he is making close to double to what he made at Arizona:
"The Huskers threw some extra coin his way to help bring him aboard. He’s expected to make $400,000 his first year, with the salary escalating to $425,000 in 2018. According to the Arizona Daily Star, he was making $215,000 this year with the Wildcats."
Perhaps his mantra and hashtag, #MoneyTeam worked in his favor, and maybe we should all start using the hashtag for ourselves.
Here is the Nebraska statement welcoming Williams, if there is a pit in your stomach, we totally understand.
From Nebraska on Donte Williams pic.twitter.com/XdZ6mCz7w8
— ZonaZealotsFS (@ZonaZealots) December 5, 2016
Trying not to assume the worst, the departure of Williams has already created ripples in the proverbial recruiting waters. Highly coveted four-star athlete Greg Johnson out of Augustus Hawkins HS in Los Angeles, CA has already re-opened his recruitment. We found out from Hawkins head coach Mil’Von James on Omaha.com that Donte has been recruiting Greg since his days at San Jose St., so this relationship goes way back.
Johnson announced via Twitter of his decision, to the dismay of many heartbroken Wildcat fans. Perhaps coincidentally, Johnson is considering Nebraska, USC, and UCLA among others. He just recently visited ASU, and probably got a call from Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, who visits Hawkins High School regularly.
It’s nice to be wanted. We wish Greg the best of success and happiness. Zona Zealots has gotten to know this accomplished, fearless and extremely talented young man, and although we are sad, everything happens for a reason.
I've decided to reopen my recruitment.
— Lavell Cf 💲 (@YKGthree) December 5, 2016
It is hard to say what kind impact the departure will ultimately have, since it is still early, but head coach Rich Rodriguez understands the importance of getting a solid coach who can and will recruit. We hope that all of our Arizona commit’s remain committed to the school, the coaches still dedicated to the program and Wildcats fans who have already gotten attached to them.
Arizona Wildcats
It will be interesting to see what happens to this class with Coach D leaving, but please understand that even though his departure does hurt a bit, it is certainly not the end of the world.
Arizona and Rodriguez must make a solid hire, and must make it fast! If they do that, they still have time to make a big splash in recruiting and mitigate any other, possible de-commitments. The concerning factor is, if cornerback coaches who can recruit their tails off go for $400K, then Arizona it seems cannot afford that price.
Our suggestions, if Arizona could feasibly attract any of these coaches, would be:
Ricky Hunley (he could coach Linebackers, and Marcel Yates could coach defensive backs, his specialty. He is well connected in the NFL as he played for the Raiders and Bronco’s and coached in the Raiders organization, he is a legend at the school, and it feels right to so many Arizona fans)
Tony White (DB coach currently at San Diego St.)
Brandon Shelby (currently a secondary coach at Indiana, was formerly a graduate assistant at Arizona)
Antonio Pierce (Former Arizona Wildcat and NFL Pro, now head football coach at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School since 2014, although this would be his first college job, he may fit the bill)
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At Zona Zealots, we’re certainly frustrated by the news, but understand things like this happen at a number of other college football programs. Just tough to take the news after a tough season. We certainly want to wish Donte and Greg the best moving forward. Bear Down, Arizona!