The Arizona Wildcats held a team meeting Tuesday night and returned to school this morning, uncertain about the future of the program.
Athletic director Dave Heeke, busy interviewing coaching candidates, did not attend the meeting, which was led by interim coach/defensive coordinator Marcel Yates.
The players - including star quarterback Khalil Tate - are taking a wait-and-see approach regarding the identity of the new coach and staff. Tate was among the Wildcats who attended the team meeting Tuesday.
After initially indicating to the Star that her son was committed to remaining at Arizona no matter who the new coach is, Tate's mother said Wednesday morning that she spoke out of turn. That does not mean Tate plans to leave; rather, like many others on the team, he's waiting to see the outcome of Heeke's search for Rich Rodriguez's successor.
Assuming Tate returns, his potential is a major draw for the next Arizona coach. Tate, who turned 19 in October, rushed for more than 1,400 yards last season. He capped his sophomore year with five touchdown passes in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Arizona had four scholarship quarterbacks in 2017, plus walk-on Donavan Tate (no relation to Khalil). However, Donavan Tate, the former No. 3 pick in the MLB Draft, left school to return to his home state of Georgia. Rhett Rodriguez, Rich's son, is not expected to remain with the team. And it remains possible that former starter Brandon Dawkins will leave as a graduate transfer.
Veteran linebacker Brandon Rutt announced via Twitter that he will transfer and play elsewhere in his final season.
— Brandon Rutt (@Brutt30) January 9, 2018
Rutt began this past season as the starting "Mike" linebacker before being supplanted by Colin Schooler, who became the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Rutt, who began his UA career as a walk-on before earning a scholarship, had a career-high 30 tackles in 2017, including 2.5 for losses.
