Former Arizona Wildcats head coach Dick Tomey will be returning to Tucson as one of the head coaches for the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game.
The second annual event will be held Friday, Jan. 11, at Kino Stadium.
Tomey also carries the title of “Ambassador to the Game” and is helping to procure players for the game. He was an assistant coach for one of the teams in the inaugural game in Tucson.
“It will be better than a year ago,” Tomey said. “I think we already have some big commitments from players. We’ll grow the game every year.”
He isn’t able to saw which players are committed at this time, but it is hoped the game can have a strong local flavor, as was the case last season when several Arizona Wildcats played in the game, including safety Robert Golden. He has stuck with the Pittsburgh Steelers this season as an undrafted free agent.
“I have been in touch with coach Rich Rodriguez and I have let know we’re really interested in Matt Scott and Dan Buckner and in knowing who else he might recommend,” Tomey said. “I’ve talked to (ASU) coach (Todd) Graham about some of their guys.”
Tomey said he will have ex-UA assistant Ron McBride — the former head coach at Utah and Weber State — helping on his coaching staff.
Players report Jan. 6, have meetings and interviews with pro scouts the next day, practice for a few days and then have the game.
“It’s fun. It’s really fun,” said the 74-year-old Tomey, who otherwise retired from coaching after coordinating the Hawaii special teams in 2011.
“The last thing I want is to be coaching at this point in time. I don’t want that all day and all night, all the time. I get a chance to get a taste of it for a week, and it’s going to be exciting. It’s so much fun to come to Tucson because I see so many former players. It makes my day.”
Tomey and his wife, author Nanci Kincaid, live in Hawaii.