Arizona Football needs to make a change at Defensive Coordinator

It’s a rage-filled Sunday morning among the Wildcat faithful, and after a disappointing loss to Hawaii it’s clear Arizona Football needs a new coordinator.

Coming into Saturday’s game against Hawaii, the Arizona Football team had eight returning starters, a defensive coordinator in year four of his tenure and more importantly 273 days to prepare for Hawaii’s offense. Somehow we still failed.

When can we say enough is enough? At this point, we’re on pace to possibly be a worse team defensively in year four of the Marcel Yates project… and yes, that’s a real sentence I didn’t foresee typing this season.

Arizona Wildcats

For awhile now we’ve heard the same things; “Arizona doesn’t have the talent defensively”, “we’re too undersized on defense”, “the depth just isn’t there on defense”, etc. Well, now in year four, it’s time to put up or shut up, no more excuses!

Unfortunately after Saturday night, I think there shouldn’t be any more that needs to be seen to allow this “Dog and Pony show” to continue. Arizona had the tools, timing and resources to get it done defensively last night, and ultimately it was the coaching staff that failed us.

I don’t put the blame on these players, because I don’t think it was a lack of effort that caused Arizona to let up 595 yards and 45 points last night. No, instead I chalk up last nights poor performance on a lack of preparedness, poor defensive schemes and sub-par coaching that ultimately failed these kids.

So in short, I do not think Yates is a good coordinator, nor do I think he should be coaching another game at Arizona. However, we may be stuck for the remainder of the year, so it is what it is, but if I’m Kevin Sumlin or even Dave Heeke, I’m starting to think I need to make a change at defensive coordinator and make one fast.

As long as Arizona continues to use Yates, and as long as they are unprepared and out-coached this season defensively, the Wildcats will have a hard time winning games. It’s that simple.

Make the change and start trying to fix things, or risk losing the fan base who is already likely to be uninspired to show up this season.

And more importantly, our players deserve better from our coaches.

At Zona Zealots, we’re hoping for quick improvements moving forward, but I for one am not holding breath. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!