Arizona Wildcats defensive coordinator Marcel Yates will coach linebackers in 2018 under Kevin Sumlin.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive coordinator Marcel Yates was one of the few that was retained to Kevin Sumlin's coaching staff.
Yates is now entering his third season at the UA and while Kevin Sumlin is at the helm for his first year in Tucson, both have history with each other. For two seasons, Yates was the co-defensive coordinator at Texas A&M while Sumlin was the head coach.
From 2012-13, Texas A&M's record was 11-2 in the first year, and 9-4 in the second. Now, the two get to reunite with a unique twist.
Along with being the coordinator, Yates will also coach the linebackers, which returns a dynamic and young duo in Tony Fields II and Colin Schooler, both of which were freshman last season. After emerging as one of the top players on the defense, Fields and Schooler were named to the freshman All-American team.
Last season, Yates focused on coaching the secondary, but will back off in 2018 with Demetrice Martin and John Rushing coaching the cornerbacks and safeties. During Arizona's open practice last Saturday, the defense had three down linemen, two linebackers, three safeties, two corners and a outside rusher, which was the exact same scheme as the previous two seasons under Yates.
In 2017, Arizona finished the season No. 115 in total defense in the FBS, and averaged giving up 464 yards of offense per game. Yates has a plan to improve the defense especially considering the freshmen he utilized last season have a year of experience under their belt.
Yates spoke with the media after Thursday's practice, here's what he had to say.
