Arizona football mailbag: answering UA fans' questions ahead of spring practices

Ahead of Arizona’s spring football practices, which starts on Tuesday and ends with the spring game on April 27, the Star tackles the questions some UA fans have about the Wildcats entering the inaugural season of the Brent Brennan era.

Let’s get to it.

What differences have you noticed in how the new staff operates and strategizes compared to (Jedd) Fisch’s staff, from recruiting to coaching philosophies?

A: This is a better question for next spring, because any criticism regarding the new Arizona coaching staff should be held off until they have at least one full season and a recruiting cycle under their belts.

The most notable similarity is the blend of experienced coaches and young, up-and-coming coaches. For example, Arizona defensive coordinator Duane Akina is 67 years old, but the Wildcats also have 34-year-old cornerbacks coach Chip Viney.

Much like previous regime, Brennan and his staff are targeting California prospects for their recruiting class, but are also focusing on Texas for future recruiting class as the program transitions into the Big 12.

Here’s one difference between Brennan and Fisch: Brennan likely isn’t leaving unless Arizona is firing him. While Fisch embraced the traditions of past eras of UA football and exceeded every expectation he set upon getting the job, coaching the Wildcats was never a long-term project for him. Fisch is an opportunist, and his résumé of job-hopping at the NFL and collegiate levels are examples.

Brennan? Fired or retired.

Center Josh Baker is about to be a four-year starter; does he have NFL potential?

A: Absolutely. The 6-3, 305-pound Eureka, Missouri, native has anchored Arizona’s offensive line since 2021 and has gotten better each season. Baker’s most noticeable improvement is snapping the ball and causing fumbles — and disrupting the flow of the offense — isn’t as pronounced as it was when he first took the reins as the UA center. In the last three seasons, Baker played 2,294 offensive snaps for the Wildcats. In 2021, he also played 582 combined snaps at both guard spots. Baker’s experience and longevity should position him into garnering interest from NFL teams in his last season.

Some of Baker’s offensive teammates, like offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, are potential first-round draft picks for the 2025 NFL Draft, so he will consistently have opportunities for scouts to notice him this season.

One underrated trait Baker has for the NFL is the ability to adapt to change. He was recruited to the UA in 2020 during the Kevin Sumlin era, played through a pandemic and a 20-game losing streak, embraced a coaching change and didn’t enter the transfer portal. If Baker continues to show he’s a rock-solid center under his third head coach at Arizona, he should play football beyond his time at Arizona.

What kind of offensive scheme is (offensive coordinator) Dino Babers going to run? Any ideas about transfer portal additions and losses after spring ball?

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A: We asked Babers that same question.

This is what he said: “Everyone wants to know the answer to that question — not only people who are here but people who are recruiting against us. What I can say is that I’ve been in enough offenses that are successful. I’ve been in some offenses that weren’t as successful. The most important thing is to do what they’re capable of doing. If there’s anything that they have a skill in, we’ll definitely exploit that to the best of our ability.”

Continued Babers: “We’re going to do what’s best for the players. If you’re the best player, you’re going to get the ball and we’re going to give you opportunities to make plays so we can win games.”

Babers has worked with offensive coaches such as June Jones, Ted Tollner, Walt Harris, Jim Colletto and Art Briles, and became an uptempo-minded offensive play-caller.

Don’t expect too many differences in the newest rendition of Arizona’s offense, except for a few tweaks to suit the personnel it has. Something to look forward to is how other receivers, running backs and tight ends will be effective in the passing game to complement the tandem of quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona relied on standout sophomore running back Jonah Coleman, who transferred to Washington, running back Michael Wiley, slot receiver Jacob Cowing and tight end Tanner McLachlan in the passing game last season; all of them combined for 1,965 receiving yards in ’23.

That’s not easy to replace, but Arizona has a solid foundation between McMillan, Fifita and four returning starters on the offensive line. The spring and summer will determine who will emerge as complementary pieces in Arizona’s offense.

As for transfer portal additions, anything can happen in today’s college football landscape. Current Arizona players could decide it’s not the best decision to stay in Tucson. The Wildcats could also receive an influx of talent when the transfer portal opens in April. If there’s anything Arizona has learned in the last several months, it’s never rule anything out.

What are the realistic expectations for this team?

A: There are still a few holes, but the Wildcats return eight defensive starters in addition to seven offensive starters from a unit that was one of four Arizona teams to win 10 games in a season.

Arizona also has a favorable Big 12 schedule, albeit with a few tough road tests, including Kansas State, BYU, Utah, TCU and UCF.

Will Arizona be No. 11, the ranking it had to finish the ’23 season, or better? Probably not. But Arizona will certainly be a Top-25 team entering the ’24 season — and one of the favorites to contend for a Big 12 championship.

Eight wins seems like a fair bar for the Wildcats.