Watch: 9 best things offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said after Arizona Wildcats' practice

New mastermind behind the offense

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

First-year Arizona offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone compared his new quarterback Khalil Tate to former UCLA quarterback and Green Bay Packers backup Brett Hundley. Tate's backup at the UA is K'Hari Lane. 

Who did Mazzone compare Lane to? A "medium rare" steak. 

That's the personality Mazzone presented on the first of 10 days Arizona's assistant coaches will meet with the media after practices before the spring game on April 14. 

Mazzone has been around the block in terms of coaching. His most notable stints as an offensive coordinator: Auburn (1999-2001), Mississippi (2005), Arizona State (2010-11), UCLA (2012-15), and Texas A&M (2016-17). He also was a wide receivers coach with the New York Jets from 2006-08.

His most notable quarterbacks? Brett Hundley, Brock Osweiler and Josh Rosen. 

Now he gets to take over the keys of an offense that features a Heisman Trophy hopeful in Tate and returning weapons at wide receiver, tight end and running back. 

Mazzone spoke to the media after Monday's practice, here's what he had to say. 

Arriving to Tucson and working with Tate

Arizona offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone on coaching at Arizona and working with Heisman hopeful Khalil Tate: “So if he doesn’t win the Heisman this year, it’s my fault?” Mazzone recruited Tate when he was the OC at UCLA. pic.twitter.com/YQUDlQh80h

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

Noel "Pool Boy" Mazzone

Q: What would you have done this year if you didn’t join Kevin Sumlin’s staff at Arizona?Noel Mazzone: “I still own a home in Arizona... I was gonna be cleaning pools in Arizona this year (sarcastically).” pic.twitter.com/f4IwpsHXwd

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

Using tight ends

Arizona OC Noel Mazzone on the use of tight ends, specifically Bryce Wolma and Jamie Nunley: “I like the guys we got. ... It’s been a few years since I’ve had a couple guys like that so they’ll figure into our offense. We need to get those guys on the field.” pic.twitter.com/pFKmcCjspN

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

Khalil Tate = Brett Hundley

Noel Mazzone says Khalil Tate’s style reminds him of former UCLA QB Brett Hundley. pic.twitter.com/OWjLy7ORhF

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

Mazzone's offense has no identity

Noel Mazzone says his offense doesn’t have an identity other than it’s uptempo and balanced. “The offense kinda takes on its own personality.” pic.twitter.com/4GiwjweMG4

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

How does Tate compare to previous QBs?

Noel Mazzone on how Khalil Tate compares to other QBs he’s coached in the past and what he’s learned in his 37-year journey: pic.twitter.com/O8B96XkLlm

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

Meeting Sumlin for first time

Noel Mazzone on when he first met Kevin Sumlin: pic.twitter.com/xofRjmh9E3

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

Using former players as the standard and valuing QB depth

Noel Mazzone on if he uses former players as a barometer for developing players, and the value of QB depth: pic.twitter.com/EDBcSz2cga

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018

Signing 2018 3-star QB Kevin Doyle

Noel Mazzone on how he got 2018 3-star QB Kevin Doyle to sign with Arizona: pic.twitter.com/fM0nwTATUh

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 27, 2018