Arizona Football coaching legend Dick Tomey passes away

TUCSON, AZ- It’s never easy saying goodbye, it’s worse when it’s one of your own. On Friday evening, Arizona said farewell to legendary football coach, Dick Tomey.

For those who haven’t been following, it’s been an ongoing battle for former Arizona Football coach, Dick Tomey. Just three months ago, the legendary coach was diagnosed with lung cancer, and knew it was going to be a daunting road ahead for him.

Well, after months of fighting, the fight proved to be a little too much for him, as Tomey passed away Friday evening, surrounded by his loving family.

Arizona Wildcats

For fans, the news comes at a tough time, and will certainly sadden those who remember Tomey roaming the Arizona sidelines, or making appearances in Tucson long after not coaching here.

Always known for his fiery competitiveness, Tomey will always be remembered for the immense amounts of success he saw here, most notably putting together the infamous ‘Desert Swarm’ defense in the early 90s. However, the journey didn’t start this way.

Hailing from Hawaii, Tomey began his journey to Arizona in 1987, when he took over a rather successful program.

Not long after becoming the Arizona head coach, it didn’t take long for his presence to be felt here, putting that infamous tough grit into his teams that we all grew to love.

Enjoying an illustrious 14 seasons in Tucson, Tomey would accomplish quite a lot, winning 95 games, the most by an Arizona Football coach in school history. He would also take the Wildcats to a 10-2 record in 1994, including a Fiesta Bowl win over then No. 10 Miami, shutting out the Hurricanes by a 29-0 final!

He would see his team featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but unfortunately like many other successful football coaches here before and after him, they would all fail to accomplish the same thing, bring an elusive Rose Bowl berth to Tucson.

Once again Tomey would come close in bringing Arizona to a Rose Bowl, guiding the Wildcats to a 12-1 record, but the Cats instead had to settle for the 1998 Holiday Bowl, facing then No. 14 ranked Nebraska. Arizona would win that game by a 23-20 final, finishing the year with 12 wins, their most in school history.

Things would pretty much go down hill after that. Tomey would finish 6-6 in 1999 and 5-6 in 2000, which would bring an end to the Tomey era in Tucson.

However, Tomey just couldn’t stay away from coaching, returning the sport of football in 2005, when he took over a perennially under-performing San Jose State program.

Despite going 3-8 in his first season, Tomey would go 9-4 the following year, posting one of their best seasons in school history in 2006, as they clinched their first bowl game since 1990, and actually beat New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl.

Tomey would go just 13-23 over the next three seasons, officially retiring from the sport following the 2009 season.

Since then, Tomey would make his appearances in Tucson, as you could often see the former Wildcat coach on the sidelines or around the program.

While Tomey is gone, we will always have memories like these of coach Tomey!

At Zona Zealots, we’re saddened to see coach Tomey go, but are glad he is able to rest peacefully. We all share many fond memories of coach and wish he and his family the best during this time! Thanks for the memories, coach! As always, Bear Down!