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Arizona Football: Top 3 head coaching candidates to replace Kevin Sumlin

By Dante Pryor

TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Kevin Sumlin (R) of the Arizona Wildcats watches warm ups before the NCAAF game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Arizona Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Kevin Sumlin (R) of the Arizona Wildcats watches warm ups before the NCAAF game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Arizona Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Nevada head coach Jay Norvell leads his team onto the field to take on Portland State at Mackay Stadium in Reno on Friday.
Nevada head coach Jay Norvell leads his team onto the field to take on Portland State at Mackay Stadium in Reno on Friday. /

3. Jay Norvell, Nevada head coach

College football is so fluid today that athletic directors should not look for an “offensive” or “defensive” guy. They should find a candidate who can hire a staff, recruit, build relationships with their players and have a vision for the program and athletic department. The Wildcats do not have to look much further than Reno, Nev., and current Wolf Pack head coach Jay Norvell.

Norvell has two Power Five wins in as many years at Nevada and recorded their first win over a top 25 opponent. He has turned the fortunes of a football program without much history outside of legendary coach Chris Ault. There might be a question about Norvell’s age. However, at 57 years old, he still has what it takes to coach a Power Five program.

Also, Norvell’s age could be an asset in this situation. Arizona could be seen as a stepping stone job by a younger coach getting their first opportunity to be a head coach. A younger coach could parlay two successful seasons in Tucson into a higher profile job. Norvell could take this job and stay.

Arizona needs a head coach who will embrace the culture and build the program. Norvell, with his no-nonsense, disciplined approach, could do just that.

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