Arizona Watcher
Arizona will start the 2026 season with the same coordinator trio: offensive coordinator Seth Doege, defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales and special teams coordinator Craig Naivar, after a 9–4 turnaround from 4–8 the prior year.
Head coach Brent Brennan framed retaining the entire staff as a competitive advantage, saying continuity supports player development, roster retention and program stability in an era of frequent staff turnover.
On offense, senior QB Noah Fifita will return to the same system and play‑caller for the first time in his career; coaches say Doege’s scheme is tailored to Fifita and the stability has made his comfort level "night and day."
Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales led a major improvement last season: a top‑10 pass defense, the nation’s best turnover margin and 22 interceptions. Retaining Gonzales helps sustain standards despite defensive back departures.
On Feb. 6, 2026 the Board of Regents approved extensions: Brennan through 2030, Doege and Gonzales through 2028, and the athletic department raised the assistant coach salary pool to $6 million (up from $4.25 million).
Arizona’s message heading into 2026 is to build, not reset: keep the staff and systems that produced measurable improvement, build on a Trust & Will Holiday Bowl appearance, and enter the season with Fifita as a preseason All‑Big 12 pick.
Arizona will enter the 2026 season with offensive coordinator Seth Doege, defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales and special teams coordinator Craig Naivar all returning. Head coach Brent Brennan and players say that continuity after a 9-4 turnaround from 4-8 last year is central…