Why Arizona Football should consider UAB DC David Reeves

As Arizona Football searches for their replacement at Defensive Coordinator, we make the case for why the Wildcats should hire UAB’s, David Reeves.

Well, it is a position I am sure not many Arizona Football fans thought we would be in this off-season as we are still just one year into the Jedd Fisch era in Tucson, and we already are in search of a new defensive coordinator.

As we all saw earlier this week, Arizona defensive coordinator Don Brown is officially stepping down as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator after this season, in order to become the next head coach at UMass.

A change that took a few by surprise, it, unfortunately, is the nature of the business, and Fisch and the Wildcats are looking at some of their replacement options.

While we are still in the infantile stages of the coaching search, a few names have been suggested so far, and it is beginning to pique the interest of fans.

So with a few candidates already in consideration, we make the case for why Arizona Football needs to take a hard look at UAB’s David Reeves.

With that said, let’s take a look at what David would have to offer!

David Reeves

Current Position: Defensive Coordinator at UAB
Alma Mater: Athens State University
Reported Salary: $239,291

Resume:

• Athens HS (Defensive Coordinator) – 2000-05
• Alabama (Graduate Assistant) – 2005-06
• Southern Arkansas (Defensive Coordinator) – 2007-11
• UT Martin (Secondary Coach) – 2012
• Jacksonville State (Defensive Line Coach) – 2013
• UAB (Defensive Line Coach) – 2014
• UAB (Program had two-year Hiatus) – 2015-16
• UAB (Defensive Coordinator) – 2017-Present

Pro’s

• This guy wins, and he does it at a place like UAB where it isn’t easy. However, he and head coach Bill Clark make it look so simple. Compiling a 47-26 (31-12) record, these two have a recipe for success that works, and to me, that would benefit Arizona if the Wildcats were to hire Reeves.
• He’s one of the best in the business, and he has a proven track record for being one of the best and most underrated defensive coordinators. Spending now six seasons in Birmingham, UAB has had three, Top 10 defenses nationally the past three years (2018, 19, 20), and once again they have a group that is currently ranked in the top third in College Football.
• He does less with more. UAB doesn’t attract the best recruits by any means but he and Clark still win a lot of games, and they get results. At Arizona that would be a huge asset to have, where recruiting can be challenging in the Pac-12.
• The guy doesn’t jump ship quickly. He’s stayed with Bill since 2013 now, and even during UAB’s two-year, no football hiatus, Reeves stayed in Birmingham and has helped build a quality, on-field product.

Con’s

• The guy has proven himself to be successful, and I am sure other programs have come calling. Why hasn’t he left? And if Arizona were to have serious interest in him, why would he consider joining the Wildcats?
• He’s spent all his life in the South/Southeast, what indication is there that he would even be interested in coming to the Southwest/West Coast, let alone Arizona?
• Lastly, as we’ve mentioned before in our other article, Arizona needs more of a long-term option at defensive coordinator. If Dan were to come to Arizona, who’s to say another, bigger program wouldn’t come along and try and poach him?