Kevin Sumlin to Arizona: Past, present and (maybe) future Wildcats react
Jan 14, 2018, 4:08 PM | Updated: 7:55 pm
Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin stands on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
While the Arizona Wildcats have yet to make the reported hiring of Kevin Sumlin as their head football coach official, the initial reactions over the news by UA players on Sunday were mostly positive.
A group of defensive players that vouched for the promotion of interim coach and defensive coordinator Marcel Yates appears pleased that Sumlin, the former Texas A&M head coach, will take the job. That’s because Sumlin is reportedly expected to retain Yates, who he worked with during his tenure leading the Aggies.
Linebacker Tony Fields II, plus defensive backs Scottie Young Jr. and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles were impressed by the hire.
Tate, Fields II, Young, Wilborn and more will be very happy to hear this news! https://t.co/yIrytrWFaE
— ZonaZealots Go Cats! Bear Down! (@ZonaZealots) January 14, 2018
We are!!!! https://t.co/JCmImRPccu
— Tony Fields II (@T_Fields1) January 14, 2018
We putting a 100 points on everybody
— sheldon (@_scottieoo) January 14, 2018
Mood: pic.twitter.com/H6OMOU4IF5
— Demetrius Flannigan™ (@Dflann12) January 14, 2018
While former Arizona quarterback B.J. Denker’s future is up in the air after the firing of coach Rich Rodriguez, who was let go in the midst of a harassment scandal, the offensive analyst was also pleased by the reported hiring of Sumlin.
Denker worked as a graduate assistant under Sumlin at Texas A&M from 2015-16.
YESSIR! It’s a great day to be a Wildcat! This team & this University just went to the next level! Welcome to the family Coach Sumlin. #BearDown https://t.co/pTrFUrUDQ8
— BJ Denker (@BJDenker) January 14, 2018
ASU’s reaction to hearing Arizona hired Sumlin: pic.twitter.com/9FEjnuipgs
— BJ Denker (@BJDenker) January 14, 2018
Former Arizona linebackers Lance Briggs and Ricky Hunley expressed their excitement as well.
Alright @KevinSumlin_Ags welcome to @ArizonaFBall excited about our future. Bear down!
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) January 14, 2018
Arizona making History on the eve of MLK Day with the 1st African American Head Football Coach in Arizona Football History.
Congratulations Kevin.
Bear Down!!!!!
"Awsome Hire" pic.twitter.com/0MbdwrmRdr— Ricky Hunley (@rickyhunley) January 15, 2018
And perhaps doing something to prove that Sumlin’s hire will be a boon for the Wildcats on the recruiting front, three-star junior college defensive end recruit Dorian Gerald said Arizona’s hire was a “great” one.
Coach Sumlin to Arizona.. Great Hire #BearDown 🐻
— Dorian Gerald (@TopNotchDG) January 14, 2018
Gerald, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound recruit out of College of the Canyons, was being recruited by Texas A&M.
