After being fired in November 2017 by Texas A&M University, Kevin Sumlin didn’t have to wait long to get a new job. The University of Arizona announced that they have appointed Sumlin as the head coach of Arizona Wildcats. According to the reports, Sumlin signed a five-year deal, worth $14.5 million. He will receive $2 million in each of the first two years while getting $3.5 million for each of the three remaining years.
“This is a tremendous day for Arizona Football, and I am thrilled to welcome Kevin to our family,” – said Dave Heeke, Arizona athletic director. “He is a proven winner who will have an immediate impact on not only our football program but also on our department and University.”
The University of Arizona fired their football coach Rich Rodriguez at the beginning of 2018, after a 7–6 season. Kevin Sumlin was previously with the Texas A&M Aggies, where he compiled 51–26 record and never had a losing season. Despite this, he was replaced by former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher.
“I am humbled and honored to join the Arizona Family,” – said Sumlin in a statement. “With a strong foundation already in place, we will work quickly to assemble an elite coaching staff and immediately begin the work of establishing our culture, recruiting future Wildcats and connecting with Wildcats past and present. We will win championships. We will graduate our players, and they will contribute to the University in many ways while they are here. We will represent Arizona with class and pride.“
Sumlin will bring former Texas A&M offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone to Arizona while keeping Marcel Yates as defensive coordinator. Yates and Sumlin previously worked together at Texas A&M.
After numerous coaching roles at Minnesota, Purdue, and Oklahoma, Sumlin was named the head coach of the University of Houston in 2008 where he won two C-USA West Division titles. He joined the Aggies in 2012.
