John Rushing, who coached Wildcats defenders in 2018 and '19, dies at 48

Former Arizona Wildcats assistant coach John Rushing has died. He was 48 years old.

Rushing coached at the UA in 2018 and ’19. He coached safeties and then linebackers before being let go last October.

Rushing was close friends with former Arizona defensive coordinator Marcel Yates, having coached him at Boise State and worked alongside him at Montana State before reuniting in Tucson.

Rushing spent several years in the NFL as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams. He also spent seven seasons at Utah State during the 2000s. Rushing coached safeties at Oregon State in 2017 before joining Kevin Sumlin’s staff in Tucson.

Rushing played defensive back at Washington State in the early 1990s before a brief playing career in the NFL and CFL. He was among the top players and leaders on a Cougars defense known as the “Palouse Posse.”

He and his wife, Angela, had five children, according to his most recent UA bio.

Former NFL defensive back Chris Hayes, whose son, Isaiah, played at the UA before transferring to Louisville, played with Rushing at WSU.

“My condolences to his family,” Chris Hayes said in a text message. “J-Rush was a good man who loved the game of football. It was a blessing to have played alongside him at Washington State, and it was awesome that he got to coach Isaiah at Arizona.”

Ana Verdin, an administrative assistant for the Wildcats football program, tweeted about Rushing’s passing Friday afternoon.

#RIP to my dear friend, Coach John Rushing. I will miss your humor, camaraderie, kindness and friendship. What I wouldn’t give to hear you say, “what’s up, OG?” one more time. Eternally grateful for our conversations, you will be forever missed. pic.twitter.com/kIEcOBI356
— Ana Cristina Verdin (@MeanVerdin) October 23, 2020

“RIP to my dear friend, Coach John Rushing,” she wrote. “I will miss your humor, camaraderie, kindness and friendship. … Eternally grateful for our conversations, you will be forever missed.”

UA football subsequently released the following statement:

"The Arizona football program and the entire Wildcat Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach John Rushing. John was a tremendous husband, father, friend, mentor and coach who was committed to making a positive impact on the many lives he touched. His passion for life will be one of the many memories that we will all hold on to and keep in remembrance.

The entire Rushing family is in our thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/rpo9bubKvS
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) October 23, 2020

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Angela; his children, Angel, Tatiana, Nataya, Kamiah and Dash; as well as the entire Rushing family and the many who were fortunate to call him a friend."