Holy Toledo!
Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops has been named as a possible front runner for the head coaching vacancy at Toledo.
Stoops said he was simply looking to reap the benefits of Arizona guaranteeing itself a bowl game for the first time in 10 years.
The Wildcats assured themselves a position among the Pac-10's seven bowl slots by going 6-3 with a 59-28 victory over Washington State last weekend.
“I think success will lead to that kind of people speculating, but you can’t ever do anything but improve the job that you have,” Stoops said after practice on Tuesday. “That is all any of us (coaches) are trying to do.
“We are focusing on beating Oregon and doing a great job here. I want to be around here to enjoy some of the good times. That is where all my focus is.”
Rivals' columnist Tom Dienhart has Stoops as one of the leading candidates to replace Tom Amstutz. Amstutz has resigned with Toledo having a 3-7 record and three straight losses.
“He’s a Youngstown, Ohio, native with extensive ties in the state and an impressive resume,” Dienhart wrote. “He’s the next Stoops brother who is ready for his shot at being a head coach.”
The Stoops brothers -- Mike at Arizona, Bob at Oklahoma -- are all from the Ohio area, which could be a benefit for the younger sibling to take over Toledo. The Wildcats defeated the Rockets 41-16 on Sept. 6.
Mark Stoops has distinguished himself as an assistant at the University of Miami, as the co-defensive coordinator at Houston and as a defensive backs coach at Wyoming and South Florida before arriving at Arizona.
The Wildcats play at Toledo during the 2010 season.
It has the makings of a great story line. Stoops vs Stoops.
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ABOUT THIS BLOGGER
John Moredich covers the University of Arizona football and baseball team. He has been the Wildcat football beat reporter since, ironically, September 11, 2001.
COMMENTS
I want an Arizona guy who is committed to coaching an Arizona team. This Stoops mentality still has Mike looking at OK over his shoulder. The big difference in this team and teams in the past is the soft schedule. Who really thinks Tui will be a starting QB on Sundays?
This team lost to New Mexico State. When it needed to shut down Stanford on the last drive of the game, it could not get it done. The team cannot recruit and develop a defensive line.
You are dismissed Mark.