I Â had a chance to speak with Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez at his office this morning. Below are some quick takeaways from our conversation. We'll have a full Q&A up later today and in Thursday's print edition. We'll also expand on some of these topics and others over the coming weeks.
- Rodriguez said the decision to part ways with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Jeff Casteel and defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich was one of the most difficult moves of his career. Rodriguez has known them forever and respects both men immensely.
- However, upon examining the state of the program, Rodriguez felt the need to go in a new direction on defense. Not necessarily scheme-wise but in terms of recruiting and approach. He wouldn't say whether Arizona will stick with the 3-3-5 scheme.
- Regarding who the new coaches will be and when they'll be hired, Rodriguez said he's "kind of got a plan in place" and will interview coaches at the AFCA Convention this weekend.
- Regarding his flirtation with South Carolina, Rodriguez said there wasn't enough mutual interest on either side and that it turned out to be more of an "educational" experience for him - a chance to compare what Arizona has to another top program.
- Rodriguez said Arizona will do very little in terms of team drills in spring practice, which starts Feb. 5. The major emphasis will be on techniques and individual improvement, something the Wildcats had few chances to do with no bye week and an early bowl game.
- Rodriguez said tailback Nick Wilson likely will be held out of contact in spring for the second straight year. He's an important player who's been banged up periodically over his first two seasons. Wilson missed the end of the 2015 season because of a knee injury.
- I asked if anyone is definitely out for spring. Rodriguez mentioned middle linebackers Jake Matthews (foot) and Cody Ippolito (knee). So with Scooby Wright also gone, middle linebacker and linebacker in general are positions of uncertainty. Rodriguez also mentioned wide receiver and safety as positions where the UA needs to replace reliable veterans.
- Rodriguez said the UA has lots of holes to fill on defense and that it's both "nerve-wracking" and "exciting" to think about the uncertainty and the possibilities.
- I asked if Anu Solomon is considered a returning starter or if quarterback is open to competition. Rodriguez said Solomon is viewed as the starter but that the term "entrenched as starter" is not something that's talked about within the program. Brandon Dawkins will get plenty of reps.
- Despite the unit losing a couple of seniors, Rodriguez said the offensive line could be the most athletic he's had at Arizona.
- The Wildcats do need to replace their center. The first names Rodriguez mentioned were Nathan Eldridge and Zach Hemmila. But there will be other candidates as well.
- Finally, Rodriguez said he'll look inside and outside the current roster for kicking specialists. He termed those jobs as "wide open."
