Wildcats

NCAAF Arizona Wildcats
General Information
- NCAA Division: Division I
- Conference: Pac-12
- City: Tucson, Arizona
- Stadium: Arizona Stadium
Championships
- National Championships: none
- Conference Titles: 6
- Division Titles: 1
- Bowl record: 9-11-1
Past Conferences:
- Independent (1899-1930)
- Border (1931-1961)
- WAC (1962-1977).
Arizona Wildcats Football History
The Arizona Wildcats fielded its first football team in 1899 under its first head coach Stuart Forbes. Stuart led the Wildcats to a 1-1-1 overall record in its inaugural season. The Wildcats enjoyed some success up through the 20s and joined the Border Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Tex Oliver became head coach of the Wildcats in 1933. Oliver coached the Wildcats through 1937 with a combined 32-11 record. He led the Wildcats to back-to-back undefeated conference records in 1935 and 1936. Miles Casteel became head coach in 1939 and stayed at the helm for seven seasons. The Wildcats continued to build their program under Casteel. They never suffered a losing season while he was at the helm. Additionally, the Wildcats played their first bowl game while he was head coach. He finished his career at Arizona with a 41-26-3 overall record.
The Wildcats didn’t reach a bowl game for another 20 years when they lost the Sun Bowl to Auburn under head coach Darrell Mudra. After a few middling seasons in the late 60s and early 70s, the Wildcats hired coach Jim Young. Young had a fast start to his career. He led the Wildcats to a 26-7 overall record and a 17-4 conference record in his first three seasons at the helm. After turning in a 5-6 record in 1976, Young opted to accept the head coaching position at Purdue. He left Arizona with a 31-13 overall record.
Larry Smith was named head coach in 1980 after a three-year stint with Tony Mason. After an underwhelming season in 1980, the Wildcats put up winning records in six straight seasons under Smith. 1985 and 1986 were their best seasons under Smith. In 1985, the Wildcats earned an 8-3-1 record and were invited to play in the Sun Bowl. The game ended in a 13-13 tie. In 1986, the Wildcats finished with a 9-3 overall record and earned a trip to the Aloha Bowl. They went on to beat North Carolina 30-21. Smith left after the 1986 season to become head coach at USC. He left Arizona with a 48-28-3 overall record and a 30-21-2 conference record.
Dick Tomey was named head coach ahead of the 1987 season. The Wildcats suffered just three losing seasons while Tomey was at the helm. The Wildcats posed a fierce defense under Tomey that coined the nickname “Desert Swarm.” The 1993 season was especially special. It was the Wildcat’s first time winning 10 games in program history. They capped the season off by beating Miami 29-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. The 1998 season remains the best season in program history. The Wildcats finished with a 12-1 record and beat Nebraska 23-20 in the Holiday Bowl. Tomey retired after the 1987 season and remains the most decorated coach in Wildcats’ history. He coached 20 All-Americans and had five players be selected in the first round during his stint. He finished with a 95-64- overall record, a 5-3-1 bowl record, and won the Pac 10 once in 1993.
Mike Stoops was named head coach in 2004 after a short stint with John Mackovic. Stoops and the Wildcats stumbled during his first two seasons posting a 6-16 combined record. However, in his third and fourth seasons, the Wildcats saw some improvement. They posted an 11-13 combined record. In 2008 the Wildcats broke through and put up an 8-5 overall record. They punched their tickets to the Las Vegas Bowl against BYU. It was their first bowl game appearance in 10 seasons. They went on to win the game 31-21. The Wildcats put up an identical 8-5 record in the 2009 season. They played in the Holiday Bowl but were unfortunately beaten by Nebraska. The Wildcats had high hopes at the beginning of the 2010 season. Quarterback Nick Foles led the Wildcats to a 7-1 start. They lost their last four games and lost in the Holiday Bowl against Oklahoma State. After a lackluster 1-5 start in the 2011 season, Stoops was relieved of his duties.
Rich Rodriguez coached the Wildcats from 2012-2017. The Wildcats put up 8-5 records in both 2012 and 2013. Additionally, they won a bowl game each season. In 2014, the Wildcats put together their third 10-win season in program history. They won the South Division for the first time in program history. The season included wins over Oregon, a win over rival Arizona State, and a couple of last-second wins against Cal and Washington. They finished the season ranked in the top 25 and were invited to play in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. The Wildcats put up 7-6 seasons in 2015 and 2017. Both seasons ended with bowl games. Rodriguez was relieved of his duties in January 2018 for off-the-field issues. He finished his career with a 43-35 overall record and a 3-2 bowl record.
Kevin Sumlin coached the Wildcats from 2018-2020. After a 5-7 season in his first year, the Wildcats got off to a 4-1 record in his second season. Unfortunately, they didn’t win another game and finished 4-8. Sumlin was fired after an 0-5 start to the 2020 season.
Jedd Fisch is the current coach at Arizona. He led the team to a 1-11 record in his first season at the helm. In his second season, he led the Wildcats to an improved 5-7 record.
All Time Records
Passing Yards
- Nick Foles: 10,011
- Willie Tuitama: 9,211
- Tom Tunnicliffe: 7,618
- Anu Solomon: 6,922
- Khalil Tate: 6,318
Rushing Yards
- Ka’Deem Carey: 4,239
- Trung Canidate: 3,824
- Ontiwaun Carter: 3,501
- Art Luppino: 3,381
- J. J. Taylor: 3,263
Receiving Yards
- Bobby Wade: 3,351
- Dennis Northcutt: 3,252
- Mike Thomas: 3,231
- Juron Criner: 2,859
- Theo Bell: 2,509