Arizona running backs coach Alonzo Carter is a finalist for the head coaching vacancy at Sacramento State, sources confirmed with the Star Wednesday night.
Carter's connection to the Sacramento State opening was first reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Carter, Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson and former Stanford coach Troy Taylor are reported finalists. Taylor coached at Sacramento State from 2019-22.
The Hornets were previously coached by Brennan Marion, who was recently named offensive coordinator at Colorado after one season at Sacramento State. Marion led the FCS program for a season after a breakout stint at UNLV, where he used the "go-go offense."
Carter is a compelling candidate considering his deep connections to the Bay Area and FBS coaching experience.
Carter is in his second season as Arizona's running backs coach. He recruited Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt from New Mexico to Arizona before the running back was ruled ineligible by the NCAA after the season opener. Carter also recruited former San Jose State and Arizona running back Quali Conley, who led the Wildcats in rushing last season.
Arizona assistant head coach Alonzo Carter runs drills with the running backs during training camp at Tomey Field, July 30, 2025.
This season, Arizona running backs Ismail Mahdi and Quincy Craig earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors. The Wildcats have 1,805 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns this season — 15 from the trio of Mahdi, Craig and Kedrick Reescano, who has nine touchdowns this season. Reescano is in his second season at Arizona after starting his career at Ole Miss.
Carter, an Oakland, California native, has been coaching alongside Arizona head coach Brent Brennan since they were at San Jose State in 2017.
Before San Jose State, Carter was a head coach for 18 years at Berkeley High School and McClymonds High School in the Bay Area and held a 129-69-3 all-time record.
Carter became head coach at Contra Costa College, a junior college in Northern California, where he coached Davonte Sapp-Lynch, a Tucson Sugar Skulls running back and younger brother of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch. Carter was inducted into the Contra Costa College Athletics Hall of Fame last year.
Prior to his coaching career, Carter was a backup dancer to hip-hop artist M.C. Hammer. His pre-coaching career was a feature story on ESPN's College GameDay leading up to Arizona's win over Colorado in Boulder.
No. 17 Arizona (9-3) faces SMU (8-4) for the 46th Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Friday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m. on Fox.
