Former Arizona Football Coach Tom Roggeman Passes Away

It’s a sad day for the Arizona Football family, as Former Arizona Football coach Tom Roggeman passed away at the age of 86.

It’s tough to say goodbye to people you care about, and it’s especially tough to say goodbye to ones who are a part of ‘our family’. Well, this weekend, Wildcats everywhere are saying goodbye to Former Arizona Football coach, Tom Roggeman.

The former Arizona coach passed away at the age of 86.

A former graduate and player of Purdue University, Roggeman has had quite the career. As we learned from the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, following his collegiate career, Roggeman joined to Marine Corps, where he was able to play for the bases football team, before playing professionally for the Chicago Bears.

Arizona Wildcats

Spending three seasons in Chicago, Roggeman felt it was time to hang the cleats and instead transition to coaching. Over time, his unique path would lead him eventually to Tucson twice, where he would serve as the defensive line and linebackers coach from 1977-79 and again from 1982-86.

Coaching alongside former head coaches Tony Mason and Larry Smith, where he became a big part of the Arizona family in his time spent in Tucson.

Roggeman was often considered to be a great motivator, really getting a lot out his players. In his time with the Wildcats, he coached a lot of tremendous talent including; Ricky Hunley, Byron Evans, Cleveland Crosby, Mike Robinson, Glenn Perkins, Lamonte Hunley and Brian Warren.

Former players Julius Holt and Ricky Hunley seem to be taking this one incredibly hard, both taking to social media to express the sadness.

Holt had this to say on Facebook:

"“The Arizona Wildcats and a member of Larry Smith football coaching staff has passed away. Tom Roggerman was like E.F. Hutton, when he spoke no one said a word and when he was done speaking you were mad as hell and ready to go hell and fight the devil, or better yet, beat Notre Dame, even with his son playing for the Irish. They were the enemy and we were inspired and told to leave some casualties on the field and let Touchdown Jesus deal with it. Remember he was a “marine” and he was great using reverse psychology. Coach Roggerman loved every player on the football team and we loved him. I remember getting a call from Roggerman a few years ago and he said I’m very proud of the man you have become considering where you came from. My best memory besides beating Notre Dame is the statement he made to me about not being embarrassed in the weight room. Coach Roggerman was a father, grandfather, teacher, listener, motivator and he made you believe when you had nothing to believe in. The man will be missed, but his life lessons will live on.”"

At Zona Zealots, we carry a heavy heart learning of the passing of Coach Roggeman, and would like to extend our sincerest condolences to his family, as well as his Wildcat family! Bear Down always, Coach!