TEMPE — Kevin Sumlin's second season as Arizona's head football coach ended Saturday night with a loss to Arizona State.
Shortly after the game, athletic director Dave Heeke announced that Sumlin will return for a third.
"I want to make it real clear that as we embark into Year 3 of this rebuild program, Coach Sumlin is our head football coach," Heeke said around midnight in the hallway outside one of the Sun Devil Stadium media rooms. "We're not where we want to be. This is not the spot we wanted to be in this point. But we're committed … to the process of moving this thing forward moving into Year 3."
“Coach (Kevin) Sumlin is our head football coach.”Arizona AD Dave Heeke says Kevin Sumlin will return for the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/rwpWWF2xVm
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 1, 2019
Sumlin is 9-15 since taking over for Rich Rodriguez in January 2018, and is a combined 3-7 against Pac-12 South opponents and 0-2 against ASU.
Sumlin's second season in Tucson has been a chaotic one. He fired defensive coordinator Marcel Yates and linebackers coach John Rushing midway through the season, a first in program history. And nine days ago, Sumlin decided to part ways with another assistant, defensive line coach Iona Uigalelei.
Arizona's quarterbacks, thought to be a strength, struggled under Sumlin, an offensive-minded former coach at Houston and Texas A&M. Senior Khalil Tate and true freshman Grant Gunnell shared snaps for most of the final month, though it was Tate — the record-breaking onetime Sports Illustrated cover boy — who played extensively against the Sun Devils. The Wildcats fell 24-14, ending their season with a 4-8 record.
Kevin Sumlin on the decision to start Khalil Tate and his mindset going into the game against ASU: pic.twitter.com/wkGUb4iWfT
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 1, 2019
Sumlin preached patience in the moments following Saturday's loss, saying that he understands fans' frustration but urging them to trust the process. Gunnell, a two-time Sumlin recruit (at Texas A&M and Arizona) is expected to take over at quarterback in 2020, and the Wildcats have some promising young players on offense. Arizona's defense will take on the identity of its new coordinator, whoever that is, and his fellow assistants.
"We have a process that I believe in, and that our players believe in," he said. "… You can't go back and do a bunch of different things differently. But how you respond to this is going to be extremely important."
“I know fans are frustrated, but you gotta trust the process.” — Kevin Sumlin’s message to Arizona fans after his second season pic.twitter.com/1CymVmPE68
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 1, 2019
Heeke said Sumlin "will do the things that need to be done to get Arizona back on track as a program." Sumlin and most of the UA's assistants will hit the road directly from Tempe. There's no time to waste: The early signing period begins later this month, and the Wildcats have just 13 verbal commitments.
"We have no reason not to be committed to Coach Sumlin, to Kevin, and the process he has put in place," Heeke said.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona receiver Jamarye Joiner was a bright spot in another UA loss at Arizona State.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats safety Scottie Young Jr. (6) reaches out to tackle Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Kyle Williams (10) during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) attempts to leap over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jamarye Joiner (10) runs the ball to the endzone for an touchdown during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (19) misses a pass during a game against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona State Sun Devils safety Cam Phillips (15) tackles Arizona Wildcats running back J.J. Taylor (21) as he moves the ball up field during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

QB Khalil Tate rushed for a team-high 78 yards in his final game at Arizona, a 24-14 loss at Arizona State.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) warms up his arm before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Football Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats safety Samari Springs (29) warms up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Football Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats players fist bump during warm ups before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Football Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Thomas Reid III (16) chases a touchback on the Arizona State Sun Devils during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jamarye Joiner (10) jukes Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Evan Fields (4) as he moves the ball up field for a touchodwn during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Trevon Mason (90) and Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle Finton Connolly (91) celebrate following a tackle during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats head coach Kevin Sumlin talks into his headset during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Cedric Peterson (18) tears up following the team's loss against the Arizona State Sun Devils during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Brian Casteel (5) is short of a pass as Arizona State Sun Devils safety Aashari Crosswell (16) guards during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) rushes the ball forward attemting to break through the Arizona State Sun Devils defensive line during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) tosses the ball to a referee following a play during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats running back J.J. Taylor (21) steps out of bounds while moving the ball up the field during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Cedric Peterson (18) tries to avoid being tackled by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Jack Jones (21) during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Eno Benjamin (3) is taken down by Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle Kyon Barrs (92) during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Brian Casteel (5) snags a pass while under pressure by Arizona State Sun Devils safety Aashari Crosswell (16) during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Thomas Reid III (16) wags his finger at the crowd following a play during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) makes a run with the ball during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) sends the ball down field during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats head coach Kevin Sumlin looks at the scoreboard during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats defensive tackle Finton Connolly (91) celebrates a tackle against the Arizona State Sun Devils during a game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.
Arizona vs. Arizona State football

Arizona Wildcats head coach Kevin Sumlin walks with other team staff back to the sidelines following a timeout during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, on Nov. 30, 2019.