Returning to Arizona football is an 'easy decision'

Dino Babers has chosen Arizona's Option A, and the longtime offensive guru, who was let go from his post at Syracuse after eight seasons at the helm, will return to Tucson as offensive coordinator for the Arizona Wildcats. I couldn't resist.

When Babers was officially hired in February, Arizona football's social media accounts posted “the beginnings and progress” of Babers (then the offensive coordinator) and Arizona head coach Brent Brennan (when he was a graduate assistant in 2000). posted a video. Defensive coordinator Duane Aquina is lined up in a roster photo from his time coaching under Dick Tome, the winningest coach in program history and Arizona football's premier player of the 1990s.

Now, more than 20 years later, Brennan, GA, is in charge of the Arizona football program and the gang is back together. Arizona wide receiver Bobby Wade, who was a star at UA from 2000 to 2002, is also on Brennan's staff.

The idea of ​​this type of reunion was appealing to Babers, who also played running back and defensive back for Tommy in Hawaii from 1979 to 1983 before becoming a general manager for the Rainbow Warriors. Babers joined Tommy's staff at Arizona in 1995 as wide receivers coach, then coached running backs for one season before serving as the Wildcats' offensive coordinator from 1998 to 2000.

“Once I got the call, the decision to work for Coach B was easy,” Babers said. “I have a lot of respect for Coach Brennan, and I think the success we're going to have will surprise a lot of people.”

As offensive coordinator for Arizona's 12-1 season in 1998, Babers coached the Wildcats to rank in the top 20 nationally in scoring offense (15th) and total offense (18th). Arizona used two quarterbacks in the 1998 season: Keith Smith and Ortage Jenkins. Jenkins is known for one of his most famous plays in program history, the “Lakeside Jump” against Washington.

Former Arizona running back Kelvin Eifong called Babers “a great motivator, a great teacher and a good guy,” adding that he has a “high IQ” when it comes to football offense.

“He's got a running back, two quarterbacks and a (UA football) Ring of Honor tight end, so you know what type of player you're up against,” Ifong said. “He develops players.”

Running back Chun Cannidate, Arizona's last offensive player to land in the first round of the NFL Draft, gained 3,824 yards, the second-most in program history. Wide receiver Dennis Northcutt holds the UA single-season receiving yards record from the 1999 season (1,422 yards) and has the second-most career receiving yards behind Wade.

“We were doing a lot of big things to spread the ball around, using Tran, throwing to Dennis,” Jenkins said. “(Bavers) spread the ball around and definitely utilized the talent that we have. I see him doing the exact same thing and being explosive.”

This year's Arizona offense has a chance to evolve into a productive group similar to, if not more than, the “Lethal Weapon” offense of 1998. The Wildcats return four of last season's five starting offensive linemen and return one of the nation's top quarterback/receiver tandems in Noah Fifita and Teitairoa McMillan, leading the Wildcats to a 10th season. He led them to a record of three wins and a victory in the Alamo Bowl.

“They have a relationship where they know what the other person wants. T-Mac knows what Noah wants,” Babers said. “Noah knows what T-Mac is up to. That relationship puts him in danger.”

Arizona also added running backs Qualli Conley (San Jose State) and Jacorey Kroskey-Merritt (New Mexico) through the transfer portal, along with third-year slasher Rayshon Luke, redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson, And he added to a group that included a 24-year four-star running back. Buck Jordan Washington. Crosskey Merritt, who ranked fifth in the FBS with 17 rushing touchdowns in '23, will not participate with the team in spring practice, which begins Tuesday. He will graduate from the University of New Mexico in May and will attend training camp with the Wildcats.

Additionally, the Wildcats have junior tight end Keyan Barnett, McMillan, a longtime teammate of Fifita's from Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., elevated to starter roles.

The million-dollar question: After inheriting an offense that has the makings of being one of the most productive units in college football, how does the Babers plan to utilize them?

“Everyone wants to know the answer to that question, not just the people here, but the people who are recruiting against us. I mean, we've had some offenses that didn't have a lot of success,” Babers said. “The most important thing is to do what they can do. If there is something they are good at, we will make the most of it.

“We're going to do what's best for the players,” he added. “If you're the best player, you're going to get the ball and we're going to give you the opportunity to make plays so we can win the game.”

Barbers, who was a head coach at Syracuse, Bowling Green and Eastern Illinois, where he coached NFL quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, said he was the primary offensive play-caller for 10 of his 12 years as a head coach. said. For the remaining two years, he had the “power of veto.”

Throughout his storied coaching career, Babers, 62, has worked with notable offensive minds, including June Jones, Ted Tollner, Walt Harris, Jim Collette, and “Up Tempo” Art Briles. I've been doing this.

“I’ve gotten around some great offensive players,” he said. “We just collect information through that process.”

Babers brings 40 years of coaching experience, and Brennan focuses on offense, setting the school's single-game passing record with 527 yards against Arizona State and being named Pac-12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. We plan to collaborate with Mr. Fifita, who

“I have to talk to Noah,” Babers said. “He's the bridge between coaches and players. The starting quarterback is like the coach. He has one foot in the coaches room and one foot in the locker room, so that's very important.”

As for McMillan, who will become an Associated Press All-American and could be a favorite for the Biletnikoff Award next season, Barbers said he is “sharpening his pencil” for what is likely his final season playing college football. “I'm going to help 'tweak this player like this.' 1st round NFL Draft pick.

“There are always things that can be improved. If he can improve those little things, that's what will set him apart,” Babers said of McMillan. “We understand that we only acquired him for (this season). We understand that. What I'm saying is, we'll take advantage of him. I know how to use people, he wants to be used and we want to use him.”

The path Babers recommended to McMillan was that of Larry Fitzgerald, who had a detailed and technique-oriented way of thinking as a receiver. McMillan's exceptional athleticism, 6-5 frame, and expanded route-running tree place him in the realm of an eligible first-round pick for next year's draft. Now it's time for McMillan to hone his skills as a receiver.

“Larry Fitzgerald's technique and fundamentals are what allowed him to have such a long career,” said Fitzgerald, who coached him in Pittsburgh when he was a Panther. “That's what we're pursuing at T-Mac.

“(McMillan) has God-given ability. I don't have to sit here and tell everyone he's a very talented guy.”

If everything goes according to plan, McMillan could surpass Wade as the Wildcats' all-time receiving leader leaving Arizona.

Working with Babers is “nostalgic,” Wade says. “When he speaks, the rhythm is the same. His voice, tone, mannerisms, all of that comes back to me.

“He's someone I've always given a lot of credit for because of his discipline and attention to detail. He's a military-minded person and grew up in a military family. That's why he It was clear that this was a way to push the ball and push the offense. It really helped.

Wade said, “There were some tough times where I didn't know why. 'Why are we doing this?' … “Sometimes it's not about why, it's about doing what you're told. . That way we can be more productive offensively. It's great to work with him.”

Babers last visited Tucson in 2019, when he spoke at Tommy's memorial service at the McKale Center. After returning to Tucson, Babers visited the home he had designed near Broadway Boulevard and Horton Road. The same family that bought the house in 2000 still lives there.

“People answered the door and I said, 'Hello, sorry, this might sound weird, but I used to live here,' and they said, 'Coach Babers!' “I said,” Babers said. “Can I walk around the house and garden?''

Babers, who was planning to take a vacation from central New York, returned to his old base with one phone call. The second act in Arizona was “too good to sit on the sidelines,” he added.

“When Coach Brennan takes this job and makes that decision, I want him to get a quick start here. I want him to be here forever.” Babers said. “The quickest way to do that is to be successful and get him another contract. If he can get another (contract) after that, he'll be fine. All I want is a good base for him to start. This is to ensure that you can obtain the following.

“And we really enjoy being in Tucson,” Babers said. “I love this place. I didn't have to learn the battle songs. We already knew it.”