Jedd Fisch proved to be a great addition to Arizona, but now, after revitalizing the Wildcats' football program for three seasons, he's heading to Seattle to replace Kalen DeBoer in Washington. Who could Arizona be targeting as it prepares to move up to the Big 12?
The obvious choice to replace him is the person Arizona almost hired last time: San Jose State coach Brent Brennan. The 50-year-old former Arizona resident was coming off his best season at San Jose State in 2020 when the job last opened up, as the Spartans finished 7-1 and ranked No. 24. Brennan stabilized the SJSU program and continues to impress in one of the toughest jobs in the FBS. The Spartans have had back-to-back winning seasons despite the additional new challenges presented by the new era of the transfer portal. Brennan is well respected among his peers and throughout Arizona. I suspect he will be the favorite this time.
Jake Dickert, Washington State coach has done an impressive job navigating all sorts of challenges and bringing much-needed stability to a program that has been reeling from every conceivable problem over the last five years. He stepped in two years ago after Nick Rolovich's brief tenure culminated in his ouster, leading to a public row over his COVID-19 vaccination status. The Cougars also had to deal with the deaths of two teammates since 2018, and then there was the school being left behind when the Pac-12 fell apart and Wazzu was left without a home. Dickert's players appreciate that he provides structure and shows a passion for both sides of the ball. His record in three seasons is a modest 15-16, but that doesn't begin to convey how good he was for the Cougars.
UNLV coach Barry Odom has done a really good job at a place that has only had one winning season since 2000. The Rebels went 9-5 in his first season, and the former Missouri coach showed great development since first leading a program. The 47-year-old from Oklahoma would fit well in the Big 12's footsteps and has strong ties to Texas State.
Barry Odom posted a 9-5 record in his first season at UNLV. (Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today)
Brennan Carroll, Arizona offensive coordinator/offensive line coach would provide some continuity from the fish regime, which would be attractive. The 44-year-old son of Pete Carroll is a former USC recruiting coordinator and was Fisch's right-hand man as they overtook Arizona and turned the Wildcats into a top-25 team and a bona fide force on the West Coast. The younger Carroll's ability to find and land talent was a major key to Arizona's rise.
Texas State coach GJ Kinne, 35, has had a rapid rise. In his only season with FCS Incarnate Word, he led the program to a 12-2 season and No. 3 ranking. That year, in his first season at Texas State, he led the Bobcats to an 8-5 record and a bowl victory at a program that was struggling. He's a creative offensive mind that would likely excite people in Tucson.
UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, Kinne's old college teammate at Tulsa, is another young player hoping to get noticed. The 36-year-old former Tulsa wideout helped Odom turn things around in Vegas. Marion's go-go offense was the catalyst, leading the MWC in scoring despite starting quarterback Doug Brumfield being sidelined due to injury in September. Marion turned to redshirt freshman QB Jayden Maiava, who steered an offense that scored 40 points in four straight games, a first at UNLV. Maiava has since transferred to USC.
Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, 34, is another intriguing name to keep an eye on. The former Louisville QB, who went on to be a high school coach in Texas, has had a quick rise from UTSA offensive coordinator to a big debut season at Oregon in 2023. His Ducks offense was No. 2 nationally in yards per game.
(Top photo by Brent Brennan: Samuel Stringer / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)