The Arizona Wildcats enjoyed a massive 38-24 win over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Alamo Bowl last week, eclipsing double-digit wins for the first time in nearly a decade. Head coach Jedd Fisch has earned high praises for his quick turnaround with the Wildcats, going from one win in 2021 to ten wins in 2023. Rumors and speculation about Fisch leaving the former Pac-12 club for a more high-profile job continue to intensify with the 2023 season closing. However, the Arizona frontman joined the Jim Rome Show on Thursday, prompting Rome to ask Fisch about his current standing with Arizona.
Arizona Wildcats HC Jedd Fisch: Wants to Stay with Arizona
When pressed about his current contract situation with the Arizona Wildcats, Jedd Fisch said, “I think right now we’re working through semantics to get this deal done. I think we are very close. We want to be done here very soon and want to be a part of this program for a long time.”
The Wildcats and Fisch are working on a contract extension to keep him in Tucson for the foreseeable future. Fisch joined Arizona in 2021, going 1-11 in his inaugural season. However, it took the bench boss only two seasons to win double-digit games, a feat that the program failed to achieve since 2014. With a double-digit winning season next year, Fisch will have accomplished something never before done in the Wildcats’ 90-year history.
Fisch continued, “I’ve moved a lot in this business to be here today, be a head coach at a Power Five conference and win ten games, be a top 15 team, hopefully, a top ten. We got 18 of 22 returning starters next year, so I have no interest in going anywhere. I have a lot of interest in seeing if we can get to the CFP.”
The Wildcats will return most of their starters next season, including quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Fifita threw for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns against six interceptions. Meanwhile, McMillan tallied 1,402 yards receiving and ten touchdowns.
Wildcats: Leaving for Big-12 Next Season
The Arizona Wildcats will participate in the Big-12 next season, ending a 45 run with the Pac-12. The Arizona State Sun Devils, the Utah Utes, and the Colorado Buffaloes will join Arizona in the Big-12 next year. Meanwhile, the USC Trojans , Washington Huskies, Oregon Ducks, and UCLA Bruins will head to the SEC. Additionally, Cal and Stanford will participate in the ACC.
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