Arizona hires Brent Brennan from San José State as head football coach

Arizona announced on Tuesday the hiring San José State’s Brent Brennan as its new head football coach. Brennan is a California-native who went 34-48 overall in seven seasons at SJSU, with three bowl appearances in the last four years after a couple rebuilding years at the start of his tenure. He was named Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2020 after going 7-0 in league play.

“I am incredibly excited to announce Brent Brennan as the next Head Football Coach at the University of Arizona,” said Arizona AD Dave Heeke. “Brent is an exceptional leader with a background of championship success on the field, on the recruiting trail, and as leader in the community. With strong connections to the Tucson community and an appreciation for the rich legacy of our program under legendary Head Coach Dick Tomey, Brent’s vision to continue the upward trajectory of Arizona Football is rooted in the historical excellence of the program. As we begin a new era, Brent Brennanis the ideal leader for our student-athletes, staff, campus and Southern Arizona community as we write the next great chapters of Arizona Football.”

Brennan played at UCLA and has extensive coaching experience on the West Coast, having spent six years earlier in his career as a staffer at SJSU as well as six years (2011-16) at Oregon State before becoming the Spartans’ head coach. He also spent the 2000 season as a graduate assistant at Arizona.

“I am so blessed and excited to come back to the University of Arizona,” Brennan said. “This incredible university is special to my family and I as it’s where I started as a coach as part Coach Tomey’s legacy. I can’t wait to meet the players, families, fans, alumni and supporters and build on the success the players and staff have started. Bear Down and Go Cats!”

Arizona will join the Big 12 this summer and is coming off their best year in a decade, which was capped by a victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. Former head coach Jedd Fisch left to take the job at Washington, a Pac-12 rival who is headed to the Big Ten.

credit to Arizona Athletics for the image