Arizona hires Patriots assistant Fisch as head coach
Arizona is hiring New England Patriots assistant Jedd Fisch as its head coach, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. When Fisch wanted a chance to serve as a graduate assistant coach under Steve Spurrier, he left notes on the windshield of the Florida coach's car for 450 straight days. Fisch was hired as New England’s quarterbacks coach under Belichick earlier this year after two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams as senior offensive assistant and assistant offensive coordinator. He also was the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks/wide receivers coach under Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and had offensive coordinator stints with Miami and Minnesota. “Jedd Fisch is the head football coach because he's the right man at the right time to rebuild this program back to prominence, a proud program,” Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said.
Arizona fires Sumlin following blowout loss to Arizona State
Arizona fired Sumlin on Saturday, a day after a 70-7 loss to Arizona State extended the Wildcats' losing streak to a record 12 games over two seasons. Arizona State scored the most points in Territorial Cup series history — dating to 1899 — to send Arizona to its fifth straight loss this season, with another possible game next week. He got off to a good start at Texas A&M, leading the Aggies to five straight bowl games. After showing some early promise, Arizona went on a downward spiral, capped with a record loss to its biggest rival. Sumlin said after the Arizona State loss.
Territorial rout: Arizona State blows out rival Arizona 70-7
Taylor returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and Arizona State scored twice in the opening 56 seconds to rout rival Arizona 70-7 Friday night. Freshman DeaMonte Trayanum converted an opening Arizona fumble into a 4-yard TD run 43 seconds after Taylor's TD return and the Sun Devils piled on one score after another. Arizona State lost the previous two games it played on last-minute TDs and three more to COVID-19 issues. Arizona State led 42-7 at halftime — most first-half points in Territorial Cup history — despite being outgained 260-241 in total yards. He is 9-20 and has not beaten Arizona State in three seasons in the desert, but also has a large buyout.