Jedd Fisch's First Full-Time Head Coaching Job

Strategic Insights -

Arizona Wildcats head coach Jedd Fisch embarks on his first full-time head-coaching job, having served as interim coach for UCLA at the end of the 2017 season. Fisch's decision to play two quarterbacks against BYU in the opener was almost predictable, given the Wildcats' history of uncertainty at the position. Since the 2014 campaign, Arizona hasn't made it through a season with one quarterback making every start. Fisch doesn't envision the current two-quarterback setup lasting the entire season.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jedd Fisch's first full-time head-coaching job is a significant opportunity for him, having worked towards it for over 20 years.
  • Fisch was the interim coach for UCLA at the end of the 2017 season, posting a 1-1 record.
  • Fisch has a history of innovative play calling, which made him a rising star in the college ranks.
  • The Wildcats' uncertainty at the quarterback position has been a trademark since their Pac-12 South championship in 2014.
  • Fisch has decided to play two quarterbacks, Gunner Cruz and Will Plummer, against BYU, a difficult arrangement to pull off.
  • The Wildcats of the late 1990s remain an exception, with Keith Smith and Ortege Jenkins sharing the job for three seasons.
  • Former UA coach Dick Tomey praised the 1998 team, stating that both Jenkins and Smith were starters and deserved to play.
  • The Cougars have a unique situation with several players classified as sophomores, including kicker Jake Oldroyd, who made his college debut in 2016 and is still a redshirt sophomore.
  • Oldroyd's teammate, senior safety Jared Kapisi, is a "super senior" this year, thanks to the NCAA's ruling.
  • BYU beat writer Norma Gonzalez expects quarterback Jaren Hall to make stellar passes and also run the ball, potentially rushing for over 100 yards.
  • The Cougars have several areas of concern, including youth and the performance of the offensive and defensive lines.
  • The best-case scenario for the Cougars would be to perform well and get the win, while the worst-case scenario would be to lose and show a significant drop-off in production.

Statistics:

  • Since the 2014 campaign, the Wildcats haven't made it through a season with one quarterback making every start.
  • The 2019-2020 season saw a total of five quarterbacks start games for the Wildcats: Grant Gunnell, Will Plummer, Josh Rosen, Khalil Tate, and Brandon Dawkins.
  • Only one quarterback, Gunner Cruz, has started games in the current season, with Will Plummer expected to play as well.
  • The Wildcats' quarterback situation has led to a platoon system, which has been ineffective in the past.
  • The Cougars have a unique situation with several players classified as sophomores, including Jake Oldroyd, who is still a redshirt sophomore.
  • The 2016 game between the Wildcats and the Cougars saw a total of 1,006 yards of offense combined.

Sources:

  • [Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star: "The Star's Michael Lev presents five storylines of interest as the Arizona Wildcats open the 2021 season Saturday night against BYU in Las Vegas."](https://tucson.com/sports/arizona-wildcats/ua-s-fisch-takes-the-reins-for-the-first-time/article_8a76cc68-aa89-59d1-84fe-e1a2d67f85cb.html)
  • [Rick Scuteri, Associated Press: "Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder, left, and UCLA head coach Jedd Fisch talk before an NCAA college football bowl game, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017, in Phoenix."](https://apnews.com/751e380e6ce5d298563c3f65e7a00112)
  • [Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times: "Fisch's 'innovative play calling has made him a rising star in the college ranks."](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2017-11-19/why-ucla-turning-to-jedd-fisch)
  • [Norma Gonzalez, The Salt Lake Tribune: Interview with The Star on BYU football](https://www.thesaltlakecitytrb.com/story/sports/football/big12/byu-beat-bleacher-norma-gonzalez-byu-beat-takes-a-break-jared-hall-jared-hall-talks/2021/09/02/byu-beat-jared-hall-byu-beat-jared-hall-talks/888244402/)