[tps_title]Obvious Arizona coaching pattern toward success[/tps_title]
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CYCLE ONE
The ebb and flow of Arizona’s coaching staffs started in 1967 when Darrell Mudra was hired but lasted only two seasons. His tenure ended with his Ultimatum Bowl blunder with the Sun Bowl in 1968. Bob Weber followed and lasted four years but was 16-26 before he was let go. Michigan assistant Jim Young was hired by new athletic director Dave Strack. Young, similar to Rich Rodriguez, brought life to the program by winning 26 games in his first three seasons. He went back to his Midwestern roots and took the job at Purdue after finishing 5-6 in his fourth year.
CYCLE TWO
Tony Mason followed with only three seasons before he was forced out in 1979 amid an NCAA investigation that ultimately put Arizona on probation in 1983 and 1984. Larry Smith took over and kept Arizona afloat in his first three seasons despite the NCAA cloud over the program. In his fourth season of 1983, Arizona rose to No. 3 in the polls before finishing 3-3-1 down the stretch. Arizona continued to improve under Smith and won its first bowl game in 1986. Smith departed for a more glamorous job at USC. Dick Tomey came on board in 1987 and became Arizona’s most successful coach guiding teams that were 10-2 in 1993 and 12-1 in 1998.
CYCLE THREE
John Mackovic replaced Tomey and the program did a complete 180-degree turn with Mackovic alienating players, coaches and the fan base. He was let go in his third season with a 10-18 record. Mike Stoops resurrected the program and lasted into his eighth year but his ability to make Arizona a consistent winner tapped out. His firing enabled Rodriguez to come on board, a significant hire by Greg Byrne. With a preseason No. 22 ranking in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, the program is now at the level where Young, Smith and Tomey put it. Rodriguez has the added benefit of state-of-the-art facilities, a luxury his predecessors only dreamed about.
So the three-step rags-to-riches rotation is obvious …
Darrell Mudra to Bob Weber to Jim Young.
Tony Mason to Larry Smith to Dick Tomey.
John Mackovic to Mike Stoops to Rich Rodriguez.
Rodriguez can set himself apart this season in his fourth year. Young was 5-6 after going 8-3, 9-2 and 9-2 in his first three seasons. Tomey was 7-5 in his fourth year after going 4-4-3, 7-4 and 8-4.
Arizona fans must be thinking God forbid Rodriguez leave anytime soon or the cycle might start all over again.
