When they decided to take the UA football program in a different direction, university president Robert C. Robbins gave athletic director Dave Heeke a list of qualities he was seeking in the next leader of the program.
“I asked him to find someone who is going to be of the highest character, who is going to focus on academics and is gonna win,” Robbins said.
Notice the order on Robbins’ wish list. Of course, he wants to win; everybody does. But he cares just as much about the man as the coach; about the student as the athlete.
Heeke’s two-week odyssey — which he described as “a sprint that sometimes felt like a marathon” — eventually led him to Kevin Sumlin, who was introduced as the Arizona Wildcats’ coach Tuesday morning.
Sumlin said all the right things, even joking that all coaches say those same things at every introductory news conference. But he seemed sincere when he talked about helping young men become grown men, about engaging the community, about interacting with alumni.
Sumlin sat at the front of the auditorium inside the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility with Robbins to his right and Heeke to his left. When he finished his remarks, Sumlin rose and posed for a picture with his new bosses.
Tuesday wasn’t just about introducing a new coach. Heeke’s first day on the job was April 1, 2017; Robbins’ was two months later.
Tuesday was about presenting a new power structure, a unified front and a shared vision.
“I really believe this: You win with people and leadership,” said Sumlin, who wore a pinstriped blue suit and a red tie to his first day on the job.
“I think you can see where our leadership is and our administration, the kind of people that they are. The vision is clear, and it starts at the top. I’ve done this long enough to know that that’s extremely important if you want to be successful.”
Sumlin, Robbins and Heeke were in lockstep Tuesday. They all spoke about the importance of off-the-field contributions, of student-athlete welfare and of the way a coach carries himself. Robbins and Heeke saw in Sumlin, 53, not just someone who could lead the Wildcats to victories but also serve as an “ambassador” for the university.
Robbins came to the UA from Houston, where he served as president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center from 2012-17 — coinciding with Sumlin’s tenure at Texas A&M. College Station is two hours from Houston. Robbins became an admirer of the man he’d later hire.
“He was good in all three phases of the game on the field, but most importantly, he was great off the field,” Robbins said. “That was another thing I was looking for — someone who could be a leader. I saw that in Coach Sumlin in how he conducted himself all across Texas. I was able to see him speak in large groups. I watched him very closely in his press conferences, his demeanor on the sideline.
“No matter what the situation, I never saw him out of control. He’s poised. He was confident. That’s the kind of person I wanted to see here.”
Sumlin met the media in Tucson exactly two weeks after Robbins and Heeke decided to fire Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez is the subject of a $7.5 million notice of claim in which his former administrative assistant accuses him of creating a hostile workplace and sexually harassing her.
The university launched an investigation that could not corroborate the woman’s allegations. However, during the course of that investigation, Robbins and Heeke became concerned with the “direction and climate” of the football program.
In Sumlin, Heeke believes he has found someone with whom he can be “partners.”
“I want partnerships,” Heeke said. “I believe that’s how you get things done, leaning on each other, working together and building something special.”
Sumlin began that process with a 7:15 a.m. team meeting, followed by a string of media obligations that had him hoarse by mid-afternoon. In an interview with the Star after the news conference, Sumlin rattled off his immediate to-do list. It includes the typical stuff all new coaches must do: hire a staff and meet with recruits. But also: “I’ve gotta engage with our donors so they understand where we are. We started the day with former players. Then I gotta engage with the students so they know where we are — that we’re not going to be in a silo, that were going to be out and about.”
Earlier, Sumlin had included energizing fans and creating a championship atmosphere at Arizona Stadium among his duties as coach.
“It’s more than just football,” Sumlin said. “We’ll be involved in the community. We’ll be involved on campus. We will not be an isolated football program.”
After he finished speaking and posing for that picture with Robbins and Heeke, Sumlin exited the stage. The first person Sumlin greeted was Ricky Hunley. The former UA linebacker, one of the best players in school history, did not have a close relationship with Rodriguez.
Hunley was among several former players in the room.
“Some of you guys know me,” Sumlin said. “Most of you don’t. I just want you to know you’re always welcome in this program. This is your program.
“I’ve said this everywhere I’ve been: No one knows more or should know more than former players. You guys care, and it’s a different level of caring.”
Sumlin spoke with former Arizona coach Dick Tomey on Monday. “I thought that was important,” Sumlin said. He is aware of the success Tomey had here and the way he connected with players and the community.
Now Sumlin aims to repeat it.
“A new chapter of Arizona football begins,” Heeke said. “There’s been some great chapters here. Tremendous chapters. We’re ready to write another one.”
