Former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has been named the next coach of the Arizona Wildcats. The UA made the hire official at 6:20 p.m., hours after news first broke that Sumlin would be Rich Rodriguez's permanent successor.
Sumlin said in a news release that he is "humbled and honored to join the Arizona family."
"With a strong foundation already in place, we will work quickly to assemble an elite coaching staff and immediately begin the work of establishing our culture, recruiting future Wildcats, and connecting with Wildcats past and present," he said.
"We will win championships. We will graduate our players and they will contribute to the University in many ways while they are here. We will represent Arizona with class and pride. I want to thank President (Robert C.) Robbins and (athletic director) Dave Heeke for the opportunity to be a part of something special and I cannot wait to get started.”
Sumlin was fired from Texas A&M after six seasons in which he compiled a 51-26 record.
A source familiar with Arizona’s interviewing process had indicated Saturday that Sumlin was not in the running. However, that was before Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo – who had emerged as the leading candidate – removed himself from consideration Sunday morning.
Heeke and DHR International, the search firm he retained, moved quickly.
“This is a tremendous day for Arizona Football and I am thrilled to welcome Kevin to our family,” Heeke said. “He is a proven winner who will have an immediate impact on not only our football program, but also on our department and University. An accomplished coach and an excellent recruiter, Kevin shares our vision and values and fits with who we are and who we want to be. His commitment to academics and to community service are a testament to his character. I have no doubt that Kevin will bring an exciting brand of football to Tucson and that championships will follow.”
Sumlin helped Johnny Manziel win the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Arizona has a supremely talented quarterback in Khalil Tate who would thrive in Sumlin's system.
Marcel Yates, who previously worked with Sumlin, will remain at the UA as defensive coordinator. Yates also will have influence over the composition of the defensive staff, so it's possible some of the current coaches could be retained on that side of the ball.
Arizona fired Rodriguez on Jan. 2 amid allegations that he created a hostile work environment and sexually harassed his former administrative assistant.
Rodriguez hired Yates in January 2016 and brought back former UA quarterback B.J. Denker as an analyst this past offseason. Denker had been at A&M under Sumlin and tweeted his approval Sunday afternoon:
YESSIR! It’s a great day to be a Wildcat! This team & this University just went to the next level! Welcome to the family Coach Sumlin. #BearDown https://t.co/pTrFUrUDQ8
— BJ Denker (@BJDenker) January 14, 2018
Sumlin, 53, previously served as the head coach at Houston, where he compiled a 35-17 record from 2008-11. The Cougars went 12-1 in his final season.
Sumlin led A&M to an 11-2 mark in in his first season, with Manziel becoming the first redshirt freshman to win the Heisman. The Aggies went 9-4 the next season but leveled off thereafter, losing five games each of the past four seasons. Texas A&M replaced Sumlin with Jimbo Fisher, who was lured away from Florida State with a 10-year, $75 million contract.
