Chuck Cecil officially returned to Arizona just a week ago, and the Wildcats have only practiced five times in fall camp, but the UA legend already feels comfortable referring to the Wildcats as “we.”
Of course, he has every right to do that.
Cecil is considered one of the greatest players to ever play at Arizona, completing a career he started as a walk-on with an All-America selection and, eventually, induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Cecil, a safety, went on to play seven years in the NFL. He coached in the league for 15 seasons, most recently with the Rams.
Now, he’s back at Arizona, hired onto UA coach Rich Rodriguez’s staff as a senior defensive analyst. His title was recently tweaked to new director of player development/defensive analyst.
Cecil is “still learning our system, so as he learns what we’re doing in all three phases he’ll be able to give some more input on suggestions,” Rodriguez said. “I told him to be an observer at practice, tell us things that can help us and go from there. It’s still early, but he’s a great guy and I’m glad he’s with us.”
Cecil, 52, met with the media this week and talked about his return, how college players have changed and what it means to be back in Tucson.
What made you want to come back?
A: “Oh gosh, you kidding me? In my life, anybody that thinks that fairy tales don’t come true, I’m standing here. My time in Tucson was a true Cinderella story and anything I can do to come back here and try and help out as little as possible or as much as possible, however it turns out. I’m just trying to give back a little bit for all the wonderful things that happened to me when I was here.”
How did it come about for you to return here?
A: “(Rodriguez and I) had a couple casual interactions and we’ve kind of discussed a little bit of this, a little that. There was some movement on the staff and I happened to be somewhere that he was, so we talked about it and thought that it’d be a good fit.”
Have you had any opportunities to come back to the UA before?
A: ”I would say no for the most part but the NFL, I’ve kind of been pretty locked in there for the last 15-17 years. I was retired for a little while but this was kind of the first real opportunity. When it opened up and Coach Rodriguez and I talked about it, I just couldn’t be more excited to come back and appreciative to have the opportunity to come and help.”
How’s the reception been from the players?
A: “It’s been great. The players are great. They’ve been very respectful and have given me a lot of compliments. I’m very humbled by that … Hopefully, I can just do something to help them the way I was helped when I was here.”
How would you describe what your duties are?
A: “When I talk about the players, I’m technically not supposed to interact a whole lot as far as on the field, even in the meetings, so we talk about more general things in life and trying to be a good person and be a good football player and not as much X’s and O’s. My input, if anything, is going to be more with the coaches.”
What do you think of this group following last season?
A: “Well, obviously we didn’t … I’d say we finished great, and any time you beat the ‘Scummies’ (ASU) that’s a good thing. But the amount of wins was not what the Wildcats are aiming for or what our goal is. That’s something we are looking to fix this year.”
How tough is it in the limited role, to watch and not be able to do what you want to?
A: “It’s … I wouldn’t say difficult, but it’s a little limiting. Just bite your lip a little bit and you see things here and there. Shoot, I’ve been here four days, five days watching practice, so I have a lot to learn before I’m really going to say a whole lot anyway. But it’s, like I said, anything I can do to help, I’m just happy to be here.”
What do you notice is the difference between college kids today and when you were here?
A: “Well understand now that was 30 years ago. There’s been a few changes in 30 years. Expecting it to be the same would be very unrealistic. I think as big as anything is the whole social media thing, the effects of just … I got my first cellphone when I was here in college and it was life-changing. Now, shoot, my daughter is 12 and she’s had hers for six years. It’s just a different kind of world we live in. But listen, it’s still football. You run, tackle, try to score. You’re still asked to do a lot of the same things.”
Are you much different physically then you were 30 years ago?
A: “(Laughs) It’s amazing: I lost a lot of weight, I’m at about my playing weight back in the day, but obviously it’s in places, so to speak. Again, it’s not the years, it’s the miles. Would I love to play still? Absolutely. There’s not a day you don’t go out and coach that you wouldn’t love to be able to play. But trust me, your body doesn’t.”
What’s it like to be back around a team and in Tucson?
A: “I can’t tell you how excited and happy I am to come back to Tucson. I love it here. … I almost like to call it a hidden gem. When you come here, it just grows on you and it’s just such an amazing place. It’s such a great place to play ball and go to school.”
