The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Arizona: a football coaching history

National Program II#59 of 138–
See Arizona’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Dick Tomey
Peaked at Power Program III
Built by
Warren Woodson
Regional Program III → National Program III (+11.2)
The fall
John Mackovic
Power Program III → National Program II (−13.5)
Right now
Brent Brennan
the 9th-best of Arizona's 15 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)CasteelWoodsonLaRueSmithTomeyStoopsRodriguez19401960198020002020

Every coach

2024–now
Brent Brennancaretaker
Brent Brennan moved Arizona from National Program III to National Program II in 3 seasons.
National Program II
13–12
2021–2023
Jedd Fischcaretaker
Jedd Fisch held Arizona at National Program III for 3 seasons.
National Program III
16–21
2018–2020
Kevin Sumlincaretaker
Kevin Sumlin held Arizona at National Program II for 3 seasons.
National Program II
9–20
2012–2017
Rich Rodriguezcaretaker
Rich Rodriguez held Arizona at National Program II for 6 seasons.
National Program II
43–35
2011–2011
Tim Kishshort tenure
3–3
2004–2011
Mike Stoopscaretaker
Mike Stoops moved Arizona from National Program II to National Program I in 8 seasons.
National Program I
41–50
2001–2003
John Mackoviccaretaker
John Mackovic slid Arizona from Power Program III to National Program I in 3 seasons.
−13.5
10–18
1987–2000
Dick Tomeycaretaker
Dick Tomey moved Arizona from National Program I to Power Program III in 14 seasons.
Power Program III
95–64
1980–1986
Larry Smithcaretaker
Larry Smith moved Arizona from National Program III to National Program I in 7 seasons.
National Program I
48–28
1977–1979
Tony Masoncaretaker
Tony Mason slid Arizona from National Program II to National Program III in 3 seasons.
National Program III
16–18
1973–1976
Jim Youngcaretaker
Jim Young moved Arizona from Regional Program I to National Program II in 4 seasons.
National Program II
31–13
1969–1972
Bob Webercaretaker
Bob Weber moved Arizona from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
16–26
1967–1968
Darrell Mudrashort tenure
11–9
1959–1966
Jim LaRuecaretaker
Jim LaRue moved Arizona from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 8 seasons.
+9.6
41–37
1957–1958
Edward Dohertyshort tenure
4–15
1952–1956
Warren Woodsoncaretaker
Warren Woodson moved Arizona from Regional Program III to National Program III in 5 seasons.
+11.2
26–22
1949–1951
Robert Winslowcaretaker
Robert Winslow slid Arizona from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
−9.3
12–18
1939–1948
Miles Casteelcaretaker
Miles Casteel slid Arizona from National Program I to National Program II in 7 seasons.
−9.7
41–26
1938–1938
Orian Landrethshort tenure
3–6
1936–1937
Tex Olivershort tenure
13–4