Rich Rodriguez says he expects an 'ugly' spring practice. Photo by Mark Evans, TucsonCitizen.com
The Arizona Wildcats football team will be on the move this spring.
The north end zone of Arizona Stadium is unplayable, as construction crews move earth in the early stages of a $72 million facilities project.
As mentioned last month, Arizona is likely to move its spring game to Kino Stadium, which hosted the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game last month.
UA athletic director Greg Byrne said last week that a contract hadn’t been signed but that the spring game, to be held April 14, “probably” would be at Kino, the home of the Triple-A Tucson Padres.
Before that, Arizona will hold a scrimmage in the Phoenix area.
Coach Rich Rodriguez told TucsonCitizen.com earlier this week the Wildcats will scrimmage in the Valley on March 24, likely at Glendale Community College.
Rodriguez said part of the reason to scrimmage in Phoenix is “make our presence felt in the Valley, but also to provide a service for all the fans we have in that area. … It’s a chance for the local fans to see some of the players and see some of the things we’re doing. And I think being in a different environment might be a neat experience for the guys.”
Rodriguez cautioned there might not be much to see as the coaching staff implements new schemes on each side of the ball.
“This is going to be the ugliest spring that we will ever have,” Rodriguez said. “A part of me doesn’t know how much we want people to watch it. …
“We’re not worried about people scouting us for spring practice. We’re really trying to just evaluate our players and teach fundamentals.”
Arizona will begin spring practice March 5 and will be off during the university’s spring break a week later before resuming March 21.