Options robust as Arizona Football looks for new Head Coach

With Kevin Sumlin’s departure now confirmed by Athletic Director Dave Heeke, there are plenty of options for Head Coach for Arizona Football moving forward.

Well, it is official, the Arizona Football team is in the market for a new head coach, and as rumored by major outlets, there are some very interesting options available for the next leader of the program.

However, it seems the few common themes among fans, is that they do not want another re-tread coach, meaning a coach that failed a big school prior, and they also want more alumni involved in the program.

Arizona Wildcats

Having already covered the likes of Steve Sarkisian, Jay Norvell, Jamey Chadwell, Jason Candle, and Lance Leipold before the announcement became official, here are some additional names that have been rumored and could bring some real excitement back to the Wildcats program.

Graham Harrell (OC USC) would provide the Wildcats with great connections in California and might just be the best mentor for Grant Gunnell and the QB’s moving forward.

What he’s done with Kedon Slovis and the USC offense, has given it a look that was a bit more reminiscent of the Pete Carroll years in Los Angeles. Harrell’s offense also has the Trojans looking to head the class of the Pac-12 in 2020.

Brent Brennan (HC SJSU) has been nothing short of remarkable in his time at San Jose State. Leading them to the Mountain West Championship game this season going 6-0, SJSU knocked off Jay Norvell’s Nevada Wolfpack to secure their spot in the game. Brennan has done a remarkable job in what might just be the toughest situation in Division 1 College Football in turning the Spartans around and very likely heading to their 1st bowl game since 2015.

Joe Salave’a (AC Oregon) would be a welcomed hire since the Wildcats would be bringing the former University of Arizona Defensive Lineman back to his Alma Mater. This would also provide a change of pace for the Wildcats as recent coaches have been more offensively geared, and Salave’a would be naturally a more defensive-minded head coach.

When there is a serious need to repair the culture and alumni ties, Salave’a would basically be a home run hire to generate excitement again. This would not only be a smart football hire but would almost instantly reenergize the Football Program.

Kalani Sitake (HC BYU) – would arguably be the biggest shock hire that’s been rumored to Arizona since the Sumlin dismissal. Leading BYU to a largely dominating year with the exception of the rapid turnaround to travel cross-country to take on Coastal Carolina, Sitake has done great things out in Provo.

The big thing that would potentially open Sitake up for a change would be the stringent rules of BYU with their Honor Code and academic restrictions. With all that he has built at BYU, it’s fun to imagine just how great of a program he could build without the restrictions.

Bryan Harsin  (HC Boise State) would have to be pulled from his alma mater of Boise State much like Sitake at BYU, but with the issues Harsin has had with the Mountain West in their original cancellation of the season, there may be interest from his side to make the jump down to Tucson and into a Power 5 role.

Boise has continually been steady with Harsin at the helm, especially after taking over in 2014 when they faced off against Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl. He has been nothing but consistent at Boise State, and with his feelings of the conference, the opportunity to stay in the west and direct a Power 5 program may be enough to bring him down to Tucson.

The one thing we can all agree on is all we really want is to be excited to watch the Wildcats again! It’s a new dawn for the Arizona Football team and we can’t help but be excited for the prospects of a fresh start for the Football Program. Bear Down, Arizona!