The Jedd Fisch era has begun at the University of Arizona.
Arizona hired Fisch, the 44-year-old quarterbacks coach of the New England Patriots, as its next football head coach on Wednesday. He replaces Kevin Sumlin, who was fired Dec. 12 after posting a 9-20 record in three seasons, including the disastrous 70-7 loss to rival Arizona State in the Territorial Cup game.
Fisch revealed in his introductory press conference on Wednesday that he interviewed for the Arizona job in 2018, after Rich Rodriguez was fired, but the UA turned to Sumlin in the end.
Arizona Wildcats president Dr. Robert Robbins and athletic director Dave Heeke introduced new UA football coach Jedd Fisch on Dec. 23, 2020.
Fisch has held numerous assistant coaching positions with the NFL's Patriots, Rams, Seahawks, Broncos, Ravens and Texans and has coached collegiately at UCLA, Michigan, Minnesota, Miami and Florida. Fisch worked under six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick, former USC legend and Super Bowl winner Pete Carroll, Brian Billick, Sean McVay, Jim Harbaugh and Steve Spurrier, among others.
Although Fisch has coached in some capacity since 1997, his only head coaching title was during the 2017 season, when UCLA fired Jim Mora and Fisch served as interim head coach in the final two games.
Fisch's resume didn't do much to win over vocal alumni, in part because his background doesn't check all the boxes some ex-Wildcats were looking for. Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke emphasized in a press conference last week β and in a Zoom call with former Arizona players β that he would hire someone who appreciates and honors the history of UA football and "embodies the Bear Down spirit."
But after 11 days and interviewing numerous candidates, it was Fisch who stood out above the rest.
Here are some of their reactions from Twitter on Wednesday:
How do you fumble the bag this much? Damn shame,burried your own grave again.
— Scooby Wright III (@TwoStarScoob) December 23, 2020
Nepotism.
— Scooby Wright III (@TwoStarScoob) December 23, 2020
I am announcing that I am entering the alumni transfer portal and Iβve decided to take my talents to @CoastalFootball
— Scooby Wright III (@TwoStarScoob) December 23, 2020
Don't know how this will turn out for us. But also not sure why @UArizonaPres & @Dave_Heeke would reach out to alumni to get input and then do the exact opposite. I hope this ends up well but kind of a slap in the face to all of the alumni.
— Matt Scott (@mscottqb10) December 23, 2020
π€π½π€π½ pic.twitter.com/XzsxvN6fUf
— Antonio Pierce (@AntonioPierce) December 23, 2020
Last week we were told by @Dave_Heeke it was our program as alums. We just found out otherwise. This hire goes against his words that day talking about who would lead @ArizonaFBall.Iβm too emotional to say anything else. Not happy with @UArizonaPres would be an understatement
— Barrett Baker (@BarrettBaker27) December 23, 2020
Pete Caroll was with the Patriots before he was with USC..π€·πΎββοΈ Give the man a chance. #BearDown
— Brandon Manumaleuna (@BManu86) December 23, 2020
