Zona Zealots
Fansided

Wildcat fans rejoice! Arizona Football dismisses Kevin Sumlin

By Leith Sinclair

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 13: The Arizona Wildcats take the field with fireworks to start the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Arizona Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Paul Dye/J and L Photography/Getty Images )
TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 13: The Arizona Wildcats take the field with fireworks to start the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Arizona Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Paul Dye/J and L Photography/Getty Images ) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Arizona Football fans can finally rejoice as the Wildcats have finally released head coach Kevin Sumlin from his coaching duties.

At long last, after three tumultuous seasons, Wildcat fans have something to celebrate, as Arizona Football has announced that it has relieved Kevin Sumlin of head coaching duties on Saturday afternoon.

Sumlin finishes, his tenure at the U of A, with a 9-20 record (6-17 in the Pac-12), no bowl game appearances, and an 0-3 record against Arizona State in the Territorial Cup Game.

Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats /

Arizona Wildcats

Additionally, it seemed that Sumlin never seemed to have his guys mentally ready to play, and that was clearly evident in his final game as UofA head coach.

These things are just inexcusable for a program that had such high expectations when they hired Sumlin. Especially after the success Rich Rodriguez had, it seemed like Sumlin could have been the guy to take the program to the next level, but that was clearly not the case.

Where does Arizona Football go from here?

Speculation has already begun from multiple sources as to who Arizona will look to, to replace Sumlin. Those names include the likes of, Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian, Nevada head coach Jay Norvell, even Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen among others. It might be nice to bring in an NFL guy.

I personally believe this can be an attractive opening for head coaching candidates.

So how could Arizona be an attractive opening?

It might seem odd for someone to say that a program in as much chaos as the UofA would be an attractive destination, but it can be. For one thing, we have a solid quarterback in Grant Gunnell who just needs a guy that can help develop him, since he has so much potential. Plus,  we have an intriguing backfield led by Gary Brightwell (assuming he comes back) and Michael Wiley. Creative play-calling on offense would be a major plus.

A situation like that might be perfect for a guy like Sarkisian for example, who may be looking to prove himself as a head coach once again.

There is plenty of young talent on this team, and with the right coach this team will have a chance to get back to where they were during the Rich Rod era.

On Arizona Football. light. More

All of us at Zona Zealots are hoping for the best, but also bracing ourselves for the same old same old too. As always, Bear Down Arizona!

Home/Wildcats Football