By my count, there are 44 former Arizona Wildcats football coaches who are active in coaching college or professional football.

(I guess that number should be 45 if you count Jeff Hammerschmidt, who is both a former and current UA assistant coach.)

Seven of those ex-Cats are head coaches, including Rich Ellerson, a Salpointe Catholic High School graduate who is one of the true good guys in coaching and who is off to a 3-1 start in his second season at Army. The Black Knights are in good position to reach their first bowl game since 1996.

Elsewhere, first-year Akron coach Rob Ianello is off to an 0-4 start but the Zips might find better luck against MAC competition, which begins this week.

First-year Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes, who had been Arizona’s offensive coordinator for the past three years, is 1-3 with the Bulldogs amid a tough non-conference schedule.

Eric Wolford, the first-year coach at Youngstown State, has his Penguins ranked 20th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Youngstown State, typically a national power in that division, hadn’t been ranked since September 2008.

Here’s a look at all the former UA assistants and where they are now in coaching, with years at Arizona followed by current occupation.

Let me know if I missed anybody:

Duane Akina, 1987-2000
Texas, assistant head coach/defensive backs

Pete Alamar, 1995-1999
Fresno State, specials teams/tight ends

Bobby April, 1980-1986
Philadelphia Eagles, special teams coordinator

Steve Axman, 1980-1984
Idaho, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks

Dino Babers, 1995-2000
Baylor, receivers/special teams coordinator

John Baxter, 1990-1991
USC, associate head coach/special teams

Gary Bernardi, 1983-1986
San Jose State, offensive line

Jay Boulware, 2001-2003
Auburn, specials teams coordinator/tight ends

Craig Bray, 2003
Arizona State, defensive coordinator/safeties

Clarence Brooks, 1990-1992
Baltimore Ravens, defensive line

Charlie Camp, 2002
Akron, linebackers

Mike Canales, 2004-2006
North Texas, offensive coordinator

Charlie Dickey, 1992-2003
Kansas State, offensive line

Dana Dimel, 2005-09
Kansas State, co-offensive coordinator/running backs

Sonny Dykes, 2007-2009
Louisiana Tech head coach

Kasey Dunn, 2004-2006
Southern Miss, receivers

Rich Ellerson, 1992-1995; 1997-2000
Army, head coach

Mike Hankwitz, 1973-1976; 2003
Northwestern, defensive coordinator

Jeff Hecklinski, 2003
San Diego State, running backs/recruiting coordinator

Josh Heupel, 2005
Oklahoma, quarterbacks coach

Pat Hill, 1990-1991
Fresno State, head coach

Rob Ianello, 1993-2002
Akron, head coach

Bobby Kennedy, 2001
Texas, receivers/assistant recruiting coordinator

Lawrence Livingston, 2000
Morgan State, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks

Marty Long, 1996-2003
Northwestern, defensive line

Johnnie Lynn, 1988-1993
San Francisco 49ers, secondary

Larry Mac Duff, 1987-1996, 2001-02
Las Vegas Locomotives, defensive coordinator/special teams

Ron McBride, 1987-1989
Weber State, head coach

John Matsko, 1986
Baltimore Ravens, offensive line

Bob Palcic, 1984-1985
UCLA, offensive line

Mose Rison, 2003
North Carolina Central, head coach

Joe Robinson, 2004-2007
LSU, special teams coordinator/defensive line

Rip Scherer, 1989-1990
Carolina Panthers, quarterbacks

Clarence Shelmon, 1984-1986
San Diego Chargers, offensive coordinator

Michael Smith, 2007-09
Kansas State, receivers

Richard Smith, 1987
Carolina Panthers, linebackers

Steve Spurrier Jr., 2004
South Carolina, receivers

Mark Stoops, 2004-2009
Florida State, defensive coordinator

Charlie Williams, 2004-2006
North Carolina, receivers

Ted Williams, 1994
Philadelphia Eagles, running backs

Eric Wolford, 2004-2006
Youngstown State, head coach

Kevin Wolthausen, 1985-1986
Las Vegas Locomotives, defensive line

Jeff Woodruff, 1998-1999
UTEP, assistant head coach/tight ends

Darrell Wyatt, 2007
Kansas, co-offensive coordinator/receivers

It’s (somewhat?) interesting to note that three former UA assistants are with Bill Snyder at Kansas State, and that both of the Baltimore Ravens’ lines are coached by ex-Cats.

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