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Reflecting on Arizona coaches as Rodriguez turns 50 today

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FBCountdown

The Arizona football team begins its 2013 season against Northern Arizona at Arizona Stadium on Aug. 30, which is 98 days away. From now until then, this Web site will count down the days with facts about the Wildcats, their players, coaching staff and opponents. This is not a ranking, only a list of 100 facts and observances related to the 2013 Arizona football team and coach Rich Rodriguez.

On to Day 98 of our countdown. …

Rich Rodriguez turns 50 today, making him only the fifth out of 19 permanent Arizona head coaches since J.F. Pop McKale to reach that mark while coaching in Tucson.

The average starting age of Arizona’s coaches starting with McKale (who coached from 1914-1930) is 38.9 years old. Rodriguez was 48 when he was hired Nov. 21, 2011. McKale was the youngest to be hired in this stretch, only 26 years old. He was 43 when he left his football coaching duties to become athletic director.

The average age when the 18 football coaches (before Rodriguez) departed is only 43.7.

That means the average tenure of the coaches is only 4.8 years.

The Rodriguez era is off to an encouraging start with the Wildcats finishing 8-4 with a bowl victory in his first season last year. Arizona fans are hoping Rodriguez becomes the oldest football coach to leave Arizona.

Dick Tomey has that distinction, coaching the Wildcats until he was 62 in 2000. He lasted 13 years at Arizona, the longest tenure since McKale walked the sidelines. The next longest is Miles Casteel (1939-1948) and Jim LaRue (1959-1966), both of whom coached eight years. Casteel did not coach in 1943 and 1944 because Arizona did not field a team during World War II.

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Trey Griffey, other redshirts ready to “Shut up and work”

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99Days

The Arizona football team begins its 2013 season against Northern Arizona at Arizona Stadium on Aug. 30, which is 99 days away. From now until then, this Web site will count down the days with facts about the Wildcats, their players, coaching staff and opponents. This is not a ranking, only a list of 100 facts and observances related to the 2013 Arizona football team and coach Rich Rodriguez.

On to Day 99 on our countdown. …

Trey Griffey, son of former big-leaguer Ken Griffey Jr., hopes to make a name for himself as a football player at Arizona (YouTube)

Trey Griffey, son of former big-leaguer Ken Griffey Jr., hopes to make a name for himself as a football player at Arizona (YouTube)

The Wildcats had 18 players who redshirted last season, highlighted by wide receiver Trey Griffey, son of former major-league baseball star Ken Griffey Jr. Arizona fans will finally get to watch the younger Griffey perform, especially with leading receiver Austin Hill perhaps out the whole season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Here is a list of the 18 redshirts who will be eligible to play in the fall: QB Javelle Allen, WR Jarrell Bennett, OL Beau Boyster, LB Vaughn Brinkman, S Clint Cochrane, WR Clive Georges, WR Trey Griffey, OL T.D. Gross, OL Zach Hemmila, QB Nick Isham, DL Kyle Kelley, TE Josh Kern, DL Dwight Melvin, QB Jack Nykaza, S Yamen Sanders, S Zach Streuling, and CB Shane Wilson.

“I think we played half of the freshmen and redshirted the other half,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said of his first Arizona recruiting class before the 2012 season. “I’ve told them all, their redshirt year is over. Now is their time to show they can play and prove themselves.

“I don’t want guys talking about it; I want them showing it. Our strength staff came up with a neat saying on a shirt, it says ‘Shut up and work’. That’s perfect in its simplicity. That’s what we want our guys to do. And they’ve been working pretty hard.”

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Let the countdown begin: Jake Fischer on trophy watch list

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100Days

The Arizona football team begins its 2013 season against Northern Arizona at Arizona Stadium on Aug. 30, which is 100 days away.

From now until then, this Web site will count down the days with facts about the Wildcats, their players, coaching staff and opponents. This is not a ranking, only a list of 100 facts and observances related to the 2013 Arizona football team and coach Rich Rodriguez.

Let’s start with Day 100 on our countdown. …

Jake Fischer will be a returning junior captain for Arizona

Jake Fischer will be a returning junior captain for Arizona (YouTube)

The 2013 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List was announced last week by the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif. with Arizona senior linebacker Jake Fischer earning a spot. Of the 42 players on the watch list, 11 are from the Pac-12 with 20 linebackers, 14 defensive backs and eight defensive linemen.

Fischer, Arizona’s team captain as a junior in 2012, was instrumental in the implementation of the 3-3-5 defensive system by defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel.

Fischer has played in 39 career games, making 21 starts at linebacker, and was named Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2012. He was also the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for his 13 tackles in UA’s 2012 home opener against Toledo. He totaled 119 tackles in 2012 with 6.5 for a loss of 16 yards. He also forced three and recovered four fumbles.

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Reggie Geary first foreign coach to win Japanese title

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Reggie Geary has coached the Yokohama B-Corsairs to a 31-21 record and semifinal berth in the Japanese Professional League playoffs despite his team being in its first year of operation (Yokohoma B-Corsairs photo)

Reggie Geary coached the Yokohama B-Corsairs to the Japanese Professional League championship on Sunday (Yokohoma B-Corsairs photo)

Reggie Geary became the first former Arizona basketball player or assistant coach to win a championship at the pro level as a head coach Sunday.

His Yokohama B-Corsairs defeated the Rizing Fukuoka 101-90 in Japan’s bj-league championship game in front of 9,764 spectators at Ariake Colosseum.

Geary is one of a few former UA players during the Lute Olson era coaching today. Others include Josh Pastner of Memphis, Craig McMillan of Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College, Jason Gardner, assistant at Loyola (Chicago), and Damon Stoudamire, hired recently by Sean Miller to be an assistant at UA.

Geary, in only his second year in Japan, became the first foreign head coach to capture a championship there. Geary coached his team to its first title in the league’s eight-season history.

“We never stopped believing,” Geary told Ed Odeven (a former Arizona Daily Star staffer) of The Japan Times.

“It’s incredible. It’s unbelievable. I know this hasn’t set in yet, but these guys have been through so much this season and really have just shown such high character throughout the entire season.”

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ESPN’s Chad Ford: Grant Jerrett a second-round pick

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Grant Jerrett is working out with power forward prospects at the NBA draft combine in Chicago

Grant Jerrett is working out with power forward prospects at the NBA draft combine in Chicago

During this morning’s NBA draft combine broadcast on ESPNU, draft expert Chad Ford was optimistic of former Arizona forward Grant Jerrett’s prospects of being selected in the draft next month.

Jerrett, who left the Wildcats after his freshman season, worked out with power forward prospects, including former Colorado player Andre Roberson, in the combine at Chicago. The combine is today and tomorrow and consists of 60 invitees. Jerrett and former UA small forward Solomon Hill are two of the participants.

“Somebody will get (Jerrett) in the 30′s or 40′s (selections of the second round),” Ford said during the telecast.

The NBA draft consists of 60 picks overall. If Jerrett is drafted in the 30′s or 40′s, it will be because of his untapped potential. He averaged only 17.8 minutes and 5.2 points a game this season. He became the tallest player to lead the Wildcats in three-point shooting in a season at 40.5 percent (32 of 79).

“Out of high school, he was ranked as a top 10 player,” Ford said. “He has the ability at his size (6-foot-10, 220 pounds) to stretch defenses. One thing he did well at Arizona is shoot 40 percent from the field. He is going to try to sell himself here.”

Ford said Jerrett is in the mode of former Cal forward Ryan Anderson, a 6-10, 240-pound power forward who averaged 16.2 points a game and made 38.2 percent of his three-point attempts this season for New Orleans.

“(Jerrett) can get out there and shoot threes and get in corners,” Ford said. “He just did not get a lot of playing opportunities at Arizona.”

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Arizona’s 2013-14 non-conference hoops schedule most difficult in Sean Miller era

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UA’S NON-CONFERENCE FOES
RPI Opponent Rec SR Date
1 *Duke 27-5 2 TBD
17 at Michigan 25-7 3 Dec. 14
22 UNLV 24-9 3 Dec. 7
29 at San Diego St. 20-10 3 Nov. 14
57 New Mexico St. 23-10 4 Dec. 11
60 *Alabama 20-12 3 TBD
109 *Rutgers 15-16 2 TBD
118 Long Beach St. 17-13 4 Nov. 11
165 Cal Poly 16-13 3 Nov. 8
213 Texas Tech 11-20 3 Dec. 3
255 NAU 11-21 3 Dec. 23

SR-Starters returning
*NIT Tip-Off Classic participants who are potential Arizona opponents
TBD-To be determined
Sean Miller's non-conference scheduling is decidedly tougher than when he started in 2009

Sean Miller’s non-conference scheduling is decidedly tougher than when he started in 2009

Arizona’s 2013-14 non-conference schedule will be the most difficult of the Sean Miller era, especially if the Wildcats manage to face Duke in the NIT Tip-Off Classic in New York in late November.

The Wildcats can play the Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden if they win two preliminary round games — most likely at McKale Center — and get matched with Mike Krzyzewski’s team either in the semifinals, finals or consolation game in New York City.

Arizona has two of the most difficult true road games it has played in the non-conference slate, dating back to 2008-09 when interim coach Russ Pennell had to coach on the road against Texas A&M and UNLV. The Wildcats play at formidable San Diego State, which has three starters returning, on Nov. 14, and at Michigan, which lost in the national championship game to Louisville, on Dec. 14.

With the addition of New Mexico State to the schedule yesterday, Arizona will face at least four teams (UNLV, San Diego State, and Michigan the others) that qualified for the NCAA tournament in March. If the Wildcats play Duke the number will be five.

Two other programs — Long Beach State (NIT) and Cal Poly (CollegeInsider.com) — played in the postseason. Alabama, a potential opponent in the NIT Tip-Off Classic, also participated in the postseason NIT in March.

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Who will be the next Arizona college football hall of famer?

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Chris McAlister was a unanimous All-American in 1998

Chris McAlister was a unanimous All-American in 1998

Arizona’s Fearsome Foursome of defense — Tedy Bruschi, Rob Waldrop, Chuck Cecil and Ricky Hunley — are now in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Bruschi will be officially inducted in December after being selected by the National Football Foundation on Tuesday.

Former coaches Warren Woodson, Darrell Mudra and Jim Young are also in the Hall of Fame.

Is this Arizona’s limit? Four players and three coaches? Where is the “Cactus Comet” Art Luppino? What about Chris McAlister? Dennis Northcutt?

And shouldn’t Larry Smith and Dick Tomey get consideration?

Woodson was 26-22-2 in only five years in Tucson from 1951-56. He won the necessary 60 percent of his games because of stints at Arkansas State Teachers University (40-8-3), Hardin-Simmons (57-23-6), New Mexico State (63-36-3) and Trinity (16-5).

Mudra was 200-81-4 in his career but he was 15-27-1 at Arizona and Florida State, the only major college programs he coached. And he lasted only four years total at those institutions. He stockpiled victories at places like Adams State, North Dakota State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois and Northern Iowa.

Tomey had a career record of 185-145-7, a winning percentage of .546 that falls below the National Football Foundation’s required 60 percent.

Tomey, however, is widely respected among his peers and former players. During his tenure at Arizona, he coached five future NFL first-round draft choices, 20 All-Americans, and 43 Pac-10 first team players. His best teams were in the mid-1990s, highlighted by the “Desert Swarm” defense of which Bruschi and Waldrop helped form into one of the best units in college football history.

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Bruschi’s humble beginnings made him the Hall of Famer he is today

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Tedy Bruschi went from wearing high-top basketball shoes, not cleats, in his first three days of freshman football practice in high school to becoming one of the most storied college and NFL players in history.

Bruschi’s humble beginnings included changing from a football uniform to a marching-band outfit after finishing his football games as a freshman and sophomore at Roseville (Calif.) High School.

Tedy Bruschi has worked his way toward success everywhere he's gone

Tedy Bruschi has worked his way toward success everywhere he’s gone

His late mother Juanita Lacap did not want Bruschi to play football because of the physicality of the sport. She wanted him to sing in the choir and play the clarinet and alto saxophone.

“I remember I told her I wanted to play (football) when I was 14,” Bruschi said this morning during a press conference following his selection to the College Football Hall of Fame. “She wouldn’t buy me a pair of cleats because she told me, ‘I’m not going to spend money on cleats for football when in three days, I don’t know if you’re going to be there (still practicing), Tedy.’”

Being involved with the game has gone from three days to almost 30 years. Playing football was the best decision of Bruschi’s life, other than marrying former Arizona volleyball player Heidi Bomberger. They have three sons who are learning the values of having a well-rounded life that Bruschi learned from his mother.

“We have a mandatory rule in our household with my 12-, 10- and 8-year-olds that they must learn to play a musical instrument,” Bruschi said in the press conference. “I have a drummer, a guitar player and a pianist right now.”

Bruschi was in the midst of receiving one of the greatest honors for a college football player — the induction into the College Football Hall of Fame — and he was talking about learning how to play the piano and guitar with his children.

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Bruschi can become fourth Arizona player in College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday

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Tedy Bruschi is nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame and New England Patriots Hall of Fame

Tedy Bruschi is nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame and New England Patriots Hall of Fame

Tedy Bruschi, one of the standouts of Arizona’s Desert Swarm defense in the early 1990s, can become the fourth former Wildcat to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame tomorrow morning.

Reports Monday indicated that former Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde and Nebraska quarterback Tommy Frazier are two of the 12 players who will be part of the 2013 Hall of Fame class. Two coaches will also be inducted. The inductions will be announced during a news conference at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

Bruschi is one of 77 players, including Testaverde and Frazier, who are nominated. This is the fourth consecutive year Bruschi is on the ballot.

The Wildcats have three Hall of Fame players — nose tackle Rob Waldrop (inducted in 2011), safety Chuck Cecil (2009) and linebacker Ricky Hunley (1988).

Bruschi, a defensive end at Arizona, was a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 player. He earned second-team All-America honors in 1993, was a consensus All-American in 1994 and a unanimous All-American in 1995. Bruschi and the late Derrick Thomas, a former Alabama linebacker also on the ballot, share the NCAA record for sacks with 52.

Bruschi can enter two hall of fames in one year. He is also nominated for the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

During his 13-year NFL career as a linebacker with New England, Bruschi won three Super Bowl titles, eight division championships and earned two All-Pro selections and one Pro Bowl appearance.

A stroke survivor, Bruschi is an inspirational figure in Tucson and the Boston area. He was overlooked as a recruit out of high school by major programs before signing with former UA coach Dick Tomey. He is now one of ESPN’s top NFL analysts.

WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes blogs for Lindy’s College Sports, TucsonCitizen.com and Sports Illustrated-sponsored site ZonaZealots.com.

Arizona football making a statement with new uniforms

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The motto of Arizona’s football team is “Make a Statement”.

With that in mind, the unveiling of the Wildcats’ new uniforms today has Arizona making the statement, “We can be hip too, Oregon.”

Gradient numbers. Seven different uniform and helmet combinations. With Chip Kelly off to the NFL, Rich Rodriguez is the most media-friendly and hip coach around. He certainly is not stodgy.

What other coach would sit among fans at the blackjack tables at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas when the UA basketball team was in town for the Pac-12 tournament?

Arizona is coming of age with its style of play with its spread offense and now with its uniform combinations. Question is, can Arizona gain the stature of Oregon in terms of victories and Rose Bowl appearances?

It’s one thing to have a look inviting to young recruits; it’s another to make those recruits play as good as they look.

For fun — and isn’t that what these uniforms are for — I ask you what’s your favorite uniform combination from the seven looks below? I notice the Stormtrooper look — white pants, jersey and helmet — is not included.

 ArizonaFootballNewUnis2
Arizona Athletics photo

Arizona Athletics photo

WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes blogs for Lindy’s College Sports, TucsonCitizen.com and Sports Illustrated-sponsored site ZonaZealots.com.