With a new conference and a new coach, the Arizona Wildcats head to Las Vegas for the 2024 Big 12 Media Days with several changes afoot. Those changes will surely come with plenty of questions, and reporters will be chomping at the bit at Allegiant Stadium, but what are the three biggest questions for head coach Brent Brennan at Big 12 Media Days?
Three Most Significant Questions for Brent Brennan at Big 12 Media Days
1) Will Tetairoa McMillan Be Healthy for Fall Camp?
2) How different is new OC Dino Babers’s offensive scheme?
The Wildcats’ offense experienced unheralded production last season, finishing eighth nationally in passing offense with 308.3 yards through the air per game. Freshman quarterback Noah Fifita led the way with 2,869 yards passing and 25 TDs, but that was under the versatile offensive scheme under former head coach Jedd Fisch and offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll.
Brent Brennan introduced former Syracuse head coach Dino Babers as Arizona’s offensive coordinator. Whether or not he changes what brought a 10-3 record to Tucson is crucial ahead of the 2024 season.
3) Who will be Jacob Manu’s counterpart at linebacker?
Jacob Manu was the Pac-12’s last leader in tackles before the conference essentially dissolved following the 2023 season, accumulating 116 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and one interception. Manu proved to be a leader from the middle of the Wildcats’ 4-2-5 defense, but the position next to him experienced a lot of turnover during the season.
With Duane Akina being promoted from within to defensive coordinator, there are not likely to be many schematic changes from last year, meaning the issues at the second LB spot still need to be addressed this year.
Big 12 Media Days Schedule: Brent Brennan, Arizona Head Coach
- Date: Wednesday, July 10
- Time: TBA
- How to watch: ESPN+
One of four programs making their Big 12 debut this season, along with Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah, the Wildcats left the Pac-12 behind after finishing their final season in the conference with a No. 11 overall ranking and a 10-3 record.
Head coach Jedd Fisch bolted for Washington, leaving Brennan to take his place following a 2023 Mountain West regular-season championship with the San Jose State Spartans. Brennan went 34-48 in seven seasons with San Jose State and was named Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2020.
A few days after Brennan’s hiring became official, several of the Wildcats’ star players, including QB Noah Fifita, WR Tetairoa McMillan, LB Jacob Manu, and OL Jonah Savaiinaea, announced they would return to Tucson. Player retention is at its toughest during a coaching change in the transfer portal era, so keeping four all-conference players was a big win right off the bat.
The Wildcats will have a relatively easy transition with the 60th-toughest schedule in 2024, according to the CFN strength of schedule metric. They’ll make their official Big 12 debut in Tucson, hosting the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 5.
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