Fri, Jul 18, 2008

UA Sports

UA football

Except for Wyatt, Stoops' staff likely staying intact

By Ryan Finley
Arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.08.2008
Mike Stoops is going to take his time finding a new wide receivers coach, in part because he doesn't anticipate any more staff changes this offseason.
Stoops said Monday he will likely wait until next month to replace Darrell Wyatt, who left the UA staff two weeks ago to become the offensive coordinator at Southern Miss.
Stoops is not attending this week's American Football Coaches Association convention, typically a hot spot for job applicants and those looking to make new hires. Stoops said he would rather focus his attention on recruiting, which culminates Feb. 6 with national letter of intent day.
"I'm in no hurry," Stoops said. "We'll probably do something in February, or whenever. There's probably no real rush."
Stoops also denied reports that two defensive assistants could head elsewhere. The Sporting News' Tom Dienhart reported late last week that UA defensive coordinator Mark Stoops is a favorite to take a similar position at Miami (Fla.). Linebackers coach Tim Kish is also reportedly being considered as Northwestern's new defensive coordinator.
If other schools are interested in Arizona's assistants, they have not contacted Stoops.
"I haven't talked to anybody, to be perfectly honest with you," he said. "Usually, if there's some serious interest from a school, that's not the case."
Stoops said Miami coach Randy Shannon, a friend, would ask for permission to speak with Mark Stoops if he was interested. With Kish, "Tim would let me know if there was something I needed to be concerned about."
So far, Wyatt's departure is the only ripple in an otherwise slow offseason. Stoops overhauled his staff a year ago, bringing in four new offensive assistants and a new recruiting coordinator.
There will far less movement this year, Stoops said.
"I don't anticipate any more changes," he said. "Hopefully, that's the case."
Holmes gone
Louis Holmes' tenure in Tucson appears to be over after just 18 months.
Stoops said Monday the senior defensive end "is going to reside in Phoenix, and will train up there" leading up to April's NFL Draft.
Holmes is not listed in the UA's online student directory, meaning he has not enrolled in classes for the spring semester. The phone at Holmes' Foothills-area condominium has been disconnected.
Holmes never quite lived up to expectations after arriving at Arizona in August 2006 following a stellar junior college career. He had just six sacks in two years with the Wildcats, and received as much attention for a July arrest as his on-field accomplishments.
Holmes' departure could spell bad news for a UA program dogged by poor graduation rates. The NCAA's Academic Progress Report penalizes programs whose players leave school in poor academic standing.
Holmes' academic status is not known.
'Duel' date set
The annual "Duel in the Desert" will be held later in December this year.
Arizona will host Arizona State on Saturday, Dec. 6 — the latest date the rivalry game has been held.
This year's "Duel" will be televised on either ESPN or ESPN2 as part of the Pac-10's rivalry weekend. Kickoff time has tentatively been set for 6 p.m.
The Wildcats will open their season with an Aug. 30 home game against Idaho.
Extra points
● The UA is expected to add three more recruits leading up to next month's signing day, Stoops said.
On Saturday, defensive tackle Solomon Koehler became the 22nd player to verbally commit to the UA. Teams are allowed to add 25 players with each recruiting class.
"We're pretty close to being full," he said.
● Texas tight end Jermichael Finley, a former UA recruit, declared for the NFL Draft on Monday. Finley, a sophomore, caught 45 passes for 575 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns this season.