Opinion: Chuck Cecil’s opportunity to become Defensive Coordinator starts now

We’re way past the half way point in the 2019 Arizona Football season, and with defensive coordinator Marcel Yates out, Chuck Cecil’s chance to shine is now.

We’re just about at the breaking point in the season. The Arizona Football team is 4-4 (2-3), still having a viable shot at a bowl game, however the challenge is on for interim defensive coordinator, Chuck Cecil.

It’s been a busy few days for the Wildcats. After dropping their third straight game in which they gave up a combined 133 points, it was time for a change with Marcel Yates and John Rushing now out as coaches.

Arizona Wildcats

Unfortunately it is a performance driven industry, and although Yates and Rushing were loved by the players, it was time for a change, and that means the challenge is on, especially for Cecil.

As it stands, it’s been a rough go for this group. Aside from a few solid performances, the Wildcats still rank 119th in total defense, 81st in pass efficiency defense, and 65th overall in rushing defense.

With just four games to go on the season, it’s unlikely this group sees major improvement, nor will they likely make any scheme changes so late into the year, but nonetheless, Cecil can at least make somewhat of an impact and hopefully get some better results from this group.

Also, with the vacancies at defensive coordinator and at linebacker, the opportunity is there for him to make an impression.

While it’s hard to say if Arizona and Kevin Sumlin will legitimately give Cecil a shot to become the full-time replacement to Yates, however I can’t help but think this is his perfect opportunity to shine and essentially audition to potentially become the new defensive coordinator.

I know as fans, we all are a bit biased of Cecil, especially dating back to his playing days where we fell in love with his grit and tough play. At Arizona and while in the NFL, Cecil would absolutely punish offensive players with his bone-jarring and earth-rattling hits.

However, finally after a very productive seven-year professional football career, Cecil kept his talents in the NFL, establishing quite the coaching pedigree in the process. From 2001-2010, he served as a Defensive Assistant, Safeties coach, Defensive Backs coach, and finally as a defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

Following a brief stint away from football, Cecil would return, spending time with the St. Louis/ Los Angeles Rams organization as a secondary coach from 2012-2016.

Certainly an impressive resume if you ask me, however, what Cecil does lack is true, college coaching experience. Although he’s spent time as a defensive analyst at Arizona these past few seasons, this is his first chance at being a coach at this level and his impact I’m sure will be more directly felt.

As a player he certainly brought the intensity, now let’s see if he can bring it as a coach, a motivator and influencer of young men!

At Zona Zealots, we’re excited to see what Chuck can do and we’re hoping he can make an impact in these four games! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!