When he became Arizona’s coach in late December, Jedd Fisch vowed to revive “Desert Swarm,” at least in spirit.
On Monday, Fisch brought another one of its most famed members back into the fold.
The UA has hired Tedy Bruschi – a two-time Wildcat All-American, College Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion - as senior advisor to the head coach.
"Arizona football just got better today," Fisch said in a news release. "Tedy Bruschi represents everything we want from our student-athletes. He knows what it takes to do things right on and off the field and has demonstrated success in all facets of life throughout the years.
"Tedy is a true friend and ally who understands what it takes to win: respect, accountability, selflessness and enthusiasm. Tedy has always been the best at what he does, and this is another opportunity to bring greatness to our entire program. I want to welcome Tedy and his family back to Tucson."
Bruschi has been an NFL analyst for ESPN since his retirement in 2009 and will remain in that role.
Bruschi, 47, was considered a candidate for the UA coaching job when it first opened. He said he considered it but didn’t want to disrupt his family life. The position he’s taking should enable Bruschi to enjoy the best of both worlds.
As senior advisor, Bruschi will serve as a member of the executive football management team while serving as a consultant with the entire football staff. He also will assist Fisch in alumni relations, fundraising, social-justice initiatives and student-athlete development.
"I am very excited to re-establish my connection to the Arizona football program," Bruschi said. "Coach Fisch, and his vision for the program, is the main reason for my new level of involvement. I look forward to assisting Coach Fisch and the program in any way I can as we develop the next generations of Wildcats who are purposeful, resilient and original."
Bruschi played for Arizona from 1991-95. He recorded 52 sacks, tied for the most in NCAA history. He was named an All-American after the 1994 and ’95 seasons. He also was the 1995 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and winner of the Morris Trophy, given to the league’s best offensive and defensive linemen.
The 1992 Wildcats led the nation in scoring defense. The ’93 squad, which finished 10-2, led the country in rushing defense.
After being selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 draft, Bruschi moved from defensive end to linebacker. He would play for the Patriots for 13 seasons and was twice named a second-team All-Pro.
Bruschi also has overcome a pair of strokes. He suffered the first one in 2005, the second in 2019. About eight months after the ’05 stroke, Bruschi returned to the field. He recorded 63 tackles in nine games and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Fisch worked for the Patriots before taking the UA job, and he connected with Bruschi before coming to Tucson. The two had coffee together, and Fisch quizzed Bruschi about the Desert Swarm days.
Asked about that conversation later, Fisch said: “We gotta be more like them. We gotta find a way to get back to where they were. If we do that, then we have a chance.”
After Fisch appeared on a national radio show early last month, Bruschi tweeted: "Haven’t been this excited about the program in a long time." Now he's officially a member of it.
Bruschi will be part of an expanded personnel department that also includes his former UA teammate, Brandon Sanders, who recently was named coordinator of football alumni and high school relations.
Other additions to the “front office” include Matt Doherty, director of player personnel; Matt Hayes, associate athletic director/football admin; and Ryan Partridge, coordinator of high school recruiting. The UA also has posted a job for coordinator of college scouting.
