Arizona football head coach Brent Brennan's two-year contract extension was approved by the Board of Regents on Thursday.
Brennan is now under contract to lead the UA football program through the 2030 season. Brennan is the first Arizona football head coach to officially sign a contract extension since Rich Rodriguez in 2014.
Brennan will have a $4.7 million annual salary through the 2030 season, which includes a $3.8 million base salary, plus $500,000 annually for additional duties and $400,000 from Arizona Sports Enterprises. Brennan's previous base salary for the upcoming 2026 season was $2.6 million.
If the Wildcats win eight games, Brennan will receive a $200,000 bonus. The Arizona head coach, who was one of the lowest-paid coaches in the Big 12 last season, was previously contracted through the 2028 season.
Additionally, the Wildcats will have a $6 million salary pool for assistant coaches, which ranks third in the Big 12.
Brennan's contract extension comes in the wake of the Wildcats' five-game turnaround in his second season at the helm.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan exhorts his defense to hold with Oklahoma State trying to convert from inside their own five during the third quarter, Oct. 4, 2025, in Tucson.
Following the Wildcats' 4-8 season in Brennan's first year in 2024, Arizona went 9-4 this past season and became one of eight teams in program history to win at least nine games. Arizona produced three first-team All-Big 12 selections in quarterback Noah Fifita, who is the first UA quarterback in 50 years to be a first-team all-conference choice, and defensive backs Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson.
Arizona ended the 2025 season with a 24-19 loss to SMU in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
Earlier this month, Brennan said he's "incredibly thankful for the opportunity to continue leading this program."
"This extension is a direct result of the hard work put in by our coaching staff, student-athletes and support staff; I am tremendously appreciative of their effort and dedication to Arizona football," Brennan said. "I am excited about our leadership's commitment to our staff and our program, which comes as a direct result of the foundation we have built over the last two years. We look forward to competing for championships for years to come."
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan is congratulated after defeating the Buffaloes Nov. 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colo.
Added Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois: "The momentum built by coach Brennan and his staff this season has positioned Arizona football and Arizona Athletics for sustained success, and this extension ensures our continued ability to build toward our goal of competing for championships. His tactical expertise, ability to teach and develop our student-athletes, and his commitment to this community are invaluable to our mission, and we are pleased to ensure stability and continuity in this critical leadership role."
UA unveils terms for Doege, Gonzales
In response to a public records request by the Star, the UA also unveiled the mirroring contract terms for offensive coordinator Seth Doege and defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales.
Both Gonzales and Doege, who are entering their second season as Arizona's offensive and defensive coordinator tandem, will earn $4.4 million apiece in base salary through the 2028 season, being paid $1.1 million each in 2026, $1.6 million in 2027 and $1.7 million in 2028.
Arizona offensive coordinator/QB coach Seth Doege, second from left, stands with other coaches and Brent Brennan, far right, during a morning practice session on Dec. 16, 2025, before the team heads to the Jan. 2 Holiday Bowl.
Doege was previously set to earn $750,000 in 2026. Gonzales was contracted to earn $600,000 prior to the extension.
In the first season under Doege, who was previously at Marshall, the Wildcats had the third-best scoring offense in the Big 12 and averaged 31.5 points per game — a season after averaging 21.8 points per game, which was second-to-last in the conference in 2024. Arizona had the 42nd-best offense in college football last season.
Fifita went from 2,958 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024, to 3,228 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions this past season. Fifita, who set Arizona's career touchdowns record in 2025, returns for his final year in Tucson — and he'll quarterback the same system as the previous season for the first time since taking over as the Wildcats' starter.
Gonzales, who is the Wildcats' sixth defensive coordinator since 2019, took over as Arizona's defensive coordinator last season and molded one of the top passing defenses in college football.
Arizona finished seventh in college football in passing defense and first in turnover margin. The Wildcats had more takeaways (31) than touchdowns allowed (28) and led the Big 12 in interceptions. Arizona was tops in college football passing defense efficiency.
Arizona begins spring practices on March 24, and the annual spring showcase will be on Saturday, April 25, at Casino Del Sol Stadium. The Wildcats open the 2026 season against Northern Arizona on Sept. 5 in Tucson.
