Arizona
Here's who Arizona Football should consider for its next Defensive Coordinator
With Johnny Nansen leaving for Texas, we add our two cents on who Arizona Football should look at for its next Defensive Coordinator.
Welp, for the third time in the last four seasons, Arizona Football head coach Jedd Fisch finds himself in the unfortunate position of having to hire yet another, defensive coordinator.
As we are all aware by now, it is that Johnny Nansen is leaving Arizona to become the next Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach at Texas.
A move that is leaving Wildcat fans a bit perplexed, regardless, Arizona has to move on, and luckily for them, they have a great opportunity to find a solid replacement to help lead a group that returns a large majority of its starters.
*Keep in mind, this is an article based on our opinion and does not reflect the actual thoughts of head coach Jedd Fisch, nor does it provide any insight into Arizona’s actual coaching search. With that said, here’s who we think the Wildcats should consider!
Age: 67
Position: Senior Defensive Assistant/Secondary
Current Team: Arizona
Alma Mater: Washington
Resume:
The man is a wealth of knowledge and his reputation speaks for itself. Everywhere he goes he succeeds, and I don’t think it is a coincidence that Arizona’s secondary/defense took a major step forward once he arrived on campus this year.
Also, it seems like making him the defensive coordinator would be the next logical step for him and for Arizona should he want the responsibilities.
Assuming Texas doesn’t try to poach him too, Akina is 67, so does he have the energy and stamina to be the next defensive coordinator? How would he handle recruiting responsibilities and being out on the road?
Regardless of his stellar background and qualifications, there are some questions (concerns) I have if he were to become the next defensive coordinator.
Age: 53
Position: Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Current Team: San Jose State
Alma Mater: Utah
Resume:
A West Coast-based guy, Coach Odum has made a name for himself by putting together a stout defense at San José State and his defenses have been ranked as such; 125th (2018) 106th (2019), 26th (2020), 54th (2021), 32nd (2022), and 42nd (2023).
Additionally, he could transition quickly as coach Odum runs a mix of 3-4, 4-3, and 4-2-5 with the Spartans now, and Arizona has the personnel to compete right away!
Would he even come to Tucson? With no ties to Arizona, would we have to worry about him leaving in the next couple of years should he do well here? Beyond that, how would he do with an increased level of competition? Would he experience the same level of success?
Age: 48
Position: Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Current Team: San Jose State
Alma Mater: Arizona
Resume:
We are all aware of the obvious. Coach Salave’a has Arizona ties being a former player here himself, so he understands the history, culture, and tradition at Arizona.
He’s also a strong recruiter with Polynesian ties, and he was a tough-nosed player at Arizona which seems to translate into his coaching style. At Washington State and Oregon, Joe put together some solid Defensive Lines, and with the talent the Wildcats have returning, his flare could mesh well with the defense.
As it was rumored at Oregon, does Joe even call his own plays on defense at Miami, and if he doesn’t, would that be an issue by jumping into a full-fledged defensive coordinator role at Arizona?
Beyond that, does Arizona even have the money and prowess to pull him from Miami? He has done well for himself in climbing the coaching ranks, and at this point, is Joe too big of a name to even come to Arizona?
Age: 44
Position: Linebackers Coach
Current Team: Carolina Panthers
Alma Mater: Arizona
Resume:
As suggested by Justin Spears of the Arizona Daily Star, perhaps this is a candidate that gets a look for the Wildcats! After all, Peter Hansen was a two-sport star and graduate of the University of Arizona and he also coached alongside coach Akina at Stanford from 2014-19, so could Fisch pair them up in Tucson
But does he have an interest in Arizona, and would he leave the NFL though? Yes, he went to school here but not every Arizona alum or person with ties to Arizona has to come here.
Beyond that, how would he be as a defensive coordinator? His stint at UNLV from 2020-21 didn’t exactly go all that well.
Age: 43
Position: Linebackers Coach
Current Team: Michigan
Alma Mater: Lafayette College
Resume:
Already a candidate being suggested and tied to Arizona’s coaching search, Chris is someone who makes a ton of sense for a lot of reasons. For starters, he and Coach Fisch have previously coached together a Michigan, so there is familiarity there, and Coach Partridge is a bright defensive mind.
However, bringing him also brings a bit of extra attention to Arizona Football for all the wrong reasons. For those that didn’t know, Coach Partridge was wrapped up in the Michigan sign-stealing debacle just a couple of months ago, and he was the scapegoat in the whole thing as he was terminated this past November.
So does Arizona take the risk and bring him in, and is he worth the extra drama and attention? Those are some difficult questions Fisch and staff will need to answer before proceeding!
Next. HOT TAKE: Arizona Football still in good hands with Johnny Nansen leaving. HOT TAKE: Arizona Football still in good hands with Johnny Nansen leaving. dark
Strong Second Half fuels No. 10 Arizona Basketball in win over Utah. dark. Next. Strong Second Half fuels No. 10 Arizona Basketball in win over Utah
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Arizona
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Arizona
High-upside three-star CB commits to Arizona over Washington football
The Washington Huskies saw one of their few remaining uncommitted targets in the 2027 class go elsewhere on Thursday afternoon when three-star cornerback Evan Mack announced his commitment to Jedd Fisch’s former program, the Arizona Wildcats.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound product of Crean Lutheran High School in Southern California chose coach Brent Brennan’s team out of a final three that also included the Huskies and Arizona State, after official visits to all three programs.
After taking an unofficial visit to Seattle for spring practice in April, Mack took his first official visit, a trip to Arizona State, on May 1. Then, he returned to Montlake on June 5, before wrapping things up in Tucson on June 19, which made enough of an impact for the Wildcats to win the battle for his services.
As a junior, the nation’s No. 613 overall prospect and No. 64 cornerback, according to the 247Sports Composite, tallied 49 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions, while showcasing the promising athleticism and ball skills that secondary coach John Richardson is looking for on the outside.
If he were to have chosen the Huskies, Mack, who has plenty of room to add weight to his frame for the physicality of the Big Ten, would’ve had a long route to the field. Behind projected starters Dylan Robinson and Emmanuel Karnley, who both have eligibility to return in 2027, Washington’s coaching staff is expecting a contribution from four-star freshman Rahsjon Duncan on the outside, while his classmate Jeron Jones and sophomore Elias Johnson both stood out during spring practice.
The Huskies currently have one commit at cornerback in three-star Maurice Williams; however, the Huskies also hold several projections to reel in coveted four-star IMG Academy product Censere Gaylord.
Arizona
Arizona Chamber installs Monica Coury as board chair – Chamber Business News
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry has installed Monica Coury, vice president of external affairs at Arizona Complete Health, as chair of its board of directors, as the organization begins its new fiscal year.
Coury officially assumed the chairmanship during a ceremonial passing of the gavel at the Chamber’s June 26 board meeting. She succeeds Ted Geisler, president and CEO of APS, who served as board chair over the past two years.
As chair, Coury will lead the Chamber’s board while helping guide the organization’s efforts to advance policies that strengthen Arizona’s economy, improve the state’s business climate, and promote long-term prosperity.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as chair of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry,” Coury said. “I want to thank my fellow board members for the confidence they’ve placed in me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Chamber’s outstanding team. The Chamber has long been one of Arizona’s most effective and respected advocates on behalf of the state’s job creators, and I look forward to building on that legacy as we continue working to make Arizona the best place in the nation to live, work, and do business.”
Coury has served on the Chamber’s board for several years. She previously chaired the Public Affairs Committee and most recently served as chair-elect. In her role at Arizona Complete Health, she oversees one of the state’s leading health plans and has been a prominent voice on issues involving healthcare access, workforce development, and Arizona’s economic competitiveness.
“Monica is an exceptional leader whose collaborative approach, strategic vision, and deep commitment to Arizona make her the ideal person to lead our board,” said Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “She understands that a strong economy depends on smart public policy, and she has consistently brought thoughtful leadership and sound judgment to the Chamber. I look forward to working closely with Monica as we continue advancing policies that help Arizona employers create jobs, invest, and grow.”
Seiden also thanked Geisler for his leadership during a period that included significant legislative successes and continued growth for the Chamber.
“Ted has been an outstanding chairman, a trusted partner, and a friend,” Seiden said. “His steady leadership, business acumen, and unwavering commitment to Arizona’s economic future have helped position the Chamber for continued success. We are grateful for his service and look forward to his continued counsel and involvement on our board.”
The Chamber also installed the following governing board officers:
- Chair-elect: Jimmy Lindblom, Willmeng Construction
- Vice-chair, audit & finance: Don Isaacson, Isaacson Law Firm
- Vice-chair, manufacturing: Angela Creedon, Intel
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry is Arizona’s leading statewide business advocacy organization, representing employers of every size and industry across the state. The Chamber’s mission is to advance Arizona’s competitiveness through policies that foster economic growth, job creation, and opportunity for all Arizonans.
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