I finished reading former Sahuaro High and UA receiver Jay Dobyns’ new book “Catching Hell” last week. It is exceptional. It’s in the same category with his first book, “No Angel,” the story of his days as a DEA agent when he infiltrated the Hell’s Angels.
Dobyns’ second book includes more of a personal look at his Tucson upbringing, including his days as one of the Pac-10’s top receivers.
I laughed when he wrote about the late 1970s recruiting push that had coaches like Lou Holtz in his living room. Dobyns’ reputation was as a “slow, white possession receiver.” But when Holtz timed Dobyns over 40 yards at Sahuaro, Cougars assistant coach Bob Vielledent, who fully understood that Dobyns was better than a “slow, white receiver,” helped his cause.
Vielledent measured off 35 yards, not 40, and when Dobyns ran a 4.4, Holtz offered him a scholarship on the spot. “Catching Hell” is due out early next week.
