Arizona head football coach Brent Brennan received a two-year extension and is now contracted through the 2030 season, pending approval from the Arizona Board of Regents, the UA announced Friday.
The university also extended defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales and offensive coordinator Seth Doege through the 2028 season. Arizona will have a $6 million salary pool, which ranks third in the Big 12.
Arizona football head coach Brent Brennan greets courtside fans during the basketball game against Norfolk State at McKale Center, Nov. 29, 2025.
Brennan will have a $4.7 million annual salary through the 2030 season, which includes a $3.8 million base salary, plus $500,000 annually for additional duties and $400,000 from Arizona Sports Enterprises. Brennan's previous base salary for the upcoming 2026 season was $2.6 million.
If the Wildcats win eight games, Brennan will receive a $200,000 bonus. The Arizona head coach, who was one of the lowest-paid coaches in the Big 12 last season, was previously contracted through the 2028 season.
"The momentum built by coach Brennan and his staff this season has positioned Arizona football and Arizona Athletics for sustained success, and this extension ensures our continued ability to build toward our goal of competing for championships," Arizona Desireé Reed-Francois said in a news release. "His tactical expertise, ability to teach and develop our student-athletes, and his commitment to this community are invaluable to our mission, and we are pleased to ensure stability and continuity in this critical leadership role."
Brennan is "incredibly thankful for the opportunity to continue leading this program," he said.
"This extension is a direct result of the hard work put in by our coaching staff, student-athletes, and support staff; I am tremendously appreciative of their effort and dedication to Arizona football," Brennan added. "I am excited about our leadership's commitment to our staff and our program, which comes as a direct result of the foundation we have built over the last two years. We look forward to competing for championships for years to come."
Brennan's contract extension comes in the wake of the Wildcats' five-game turnaround in his second season at the helm.
Following the Wildcats' 4-8 season in Brennan's first year in 2024, Arizona went 9-4 this past season and became one of eight teams in program history to win at least nine games. Arizona produced three first-team All-Big 12 selections in quarterback Noah Fifita, who is the first UA quarterback in 50 years to be a first-team all-conference choice, and defensive backs Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson.
Arizona ended the 2025 season with a 24-19 loss to SMU in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.
The Wildcats retained all three coordinators for the 2026 season, including special teams coordinator Craig Naivar.
In the first season under Doege, the Wildcats had the third-best scoring offense in the Big 12 and averaged 31.5 points per game — a season after averaging 21.8 points per game, which was second-to-last in the conference in 2024. Arizona had the 42nd-best offense in college football last season.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan, left, poses for a photo with new offensive coordinator Seth Doege after a press conference inside Arizona Stadium on Dec. 13, 2024.
Fifita went from 2,958 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024, to 3,228 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions this past season. Fifita, who set Arizona's career touchdowns record in 2025, returns for his final year in Tucson — and he'll quarterback the same system as the previous season for the first time since taking over as the Wildcats' starter.
Gonzales, who is the Wildcats' sixth defensive coordinator since 2019, took over as Arizona's defensive coordinator last season and molded one of the top passing defenses in college football.
Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales watches as players execute drills during a morning practice session on Dec. 16, 2025, before the team heads to the Jan. 2 Holiday Bowl.
Arizona finished seventh in college football in passing defense and first in turnover margin. The Wildcats had more takeaways (31) than touchdowns allowed (28) and led the Big 12 in interceptions. Arizona was tops in college football passing defense efficiency.
Brennan's updated contract will maintain its academic and performance incentives. A postseason appearance will earn Brennan $50,000. If the Wildcats finish a season ranked in the Top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll or the College Football Playoff rankings, Brennan will earn $40,000.
If Arizona has a cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) greater than or equal to 2.8, Brennan will be paid $25,000; he will earn an additional $5,000 for every tenth of the decimal the Wildcats' CPGA increases up until $55,000 at 3.3.
If Brennan is fired, the UA will owe him 100% of the contract. Between the 2026-30 seasons, Brennan will earn at least a total of $23.5 million.
Arizona kicks off the 2026 season against Northern Arizona on Sept. 5 at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
