While Oklahoma State and Utah stole the spotlight among the disappointing teams in the Big 12 last season, Arizona’s rough season went largely unnoticed.
Despite losing coach Jedd Fisch to Washington, the Wildcats retained the majority of their high-level talent heading into 2024, namely the duo of quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona was picked to finish fifth — and even received a few first-place votes — in the conference’s preseason poll.
But after a 3-1 start that included a road win over then-No. 10 Utah, the Wildcats lost seven of their last eight games (including a blowout 34-7 loss at the hands of Colorado) and finished with a measly four wins in the first season under coach Brent Brennan.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan speaks during the Big 12 NCAA college football media days in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
A turnaround in year two is probably necessary for Brennan to avoid being on the hot seat in a few months. Can the Wildcats pull it off? Here’s everything you need to know about the Arizona team coming to Folsom Field in October:
Offseason storylines
Change is not necessarily a surprise after a season like the one Arizona had, but a head coach like Brennan needing to replace both of his coordinators after just one year on the job is certainly not a great sign.
Former New Mexico coach Danny Gonzales was promoted from special teams coordinator to defensive coordinator to replace a unit that allowed over 400 yards and 30 points per game last season. He’ll have to make an improvement without all-conference players in linebacker Jacob Manu and cornerback Tacario Davis, both of whom originally stuck around in Tucson under Brennan but have since transferred to Washington to rejoin Fisch.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan, right, makes a point with an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against TCU, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
To lead the offense, Brennan turned to a less experienced, but more exciting, name in Seth Doege from Marshall. Doege, a former Texas Tech starting quarterback, helped the Thundering Herd win 10 games last year while scoring over 30 points per game. Improving the second-worst scoring offense and third-worst total offense in the Big 12 is no tall task, though, especially with McMillan, a top 10 pick in this year’s NFL draft, no longer at Arizona.
On offense
The biggest question facing the Wildcats offense is a simple one: can Fifita regain his 2023 form?
The Huntington Beach, Calif. native was one of the breakout stars across the sport two years ago but after taking over at the first month of the season and propelling Arizona to a 10-win season while throwing for nearly 2,900 passing yards and 25 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against TCU Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Sure, he threw for more total yards in 2024, but he did so on nearly a 100 more attempts, with a completion percentage that was 12 points lower and with double the amount of interceptions. Now, he’s without McMillan, has a newcomer alongside him in the backfield in Texas State transfer running back Ismail Mahdi and a relatively inexperienced offensive line blocking for him.
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It certainly doesn’t seem like a great recipe for success, but the 2023 version of Fifita returning in 2025 would make everyone else’s lives on the Wildcats offense that much easier.
On defense
While losing Manu and Davis is certainly not ideal on the surface as their production did take a big dip in 2024, mostly due to injuries, the Wildcats did return their most productive players from last year’s defense.
Dalton Johnson and Genesis Smith for a really solid safety duo after combining for nearly 160 tackles last season, while Tre Smith and Taye Brown combined for seven sacks.
Arizona defensive back Dalton Johnson (43) during an NCAA football game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Rick Scuteri
The biggest area for improvement is playmaking, though. Arizona forced just 16 turnovers in 12 games and ranked in the bottom fourth in the conference in sacks. Transfer additions Riley Wilson (Montana) and Malachi Riley (Alcorn State) could help in all aspects.
The Arizona Wildcats file
2024 record: 4-8 (2-7 Big 12)
Head coach: Brent Brennan (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator: Seth Doege (1st season)
Defensive coordinator: Danny Gonzales (2nd at Arizona, 1st as DC)
Key returners: QB Noah Fifita, WR Chris Hunter, DL Tre Smith, LB Taye Brown, S Dalton Johnson, S Genesis Smith
Key newcomers: RB Ismail Mahdi, WR Kris Hutson, OL Ka’ena Decambra, LB Riley WIlson, DL Malachi Bailey, CB Michael Dansby