
The Arizona Wildcats have made significant changes to their football coaching staff, aiming to revitalize the team’s performance after a disappointing 4-8 season.
Head coach Brent Brennan announced the departure of offensive coordinator Dino Babers and the reassignment of defensive coordinator Duane Akina to lead the secondary. Special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Danny Gonzales will remain with the program in a yet-to-be-determined role.
To spearhead the offensive overhaul, Brennan has appointed Seth Doege as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Doege, a former Texas Tech quarterback, brings a wealth of experience from various coaching positions across collegiate football. Most recently, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Marshall Thundering Herd in 2024.
Under Doege’s leadership, Marshall achieved a 10-3 record, clinching the Sun Belt Conference Championship and earning a berth in the Independence Bowl. The Thundering Herd’s offense averaged 31.8 points per game, with a balanced attack that included 27 passing touchdowns and 21 rushing touchdowns. Notably, the team averaged 201.7 rushing yards per game, ranking 20th nationally.
Doege’s coaching career has been marked by a steady ascent through the collegiate ranks. After beginning as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 2016, he was promoted to wide receivers coach and later added the role of special teams coordinator. His subsequent positions included offensive quality control analyst and tight ends coach at USC, offensive analyst at Ole Miss, and tight ends coach at Purdue. His diverse experience has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of offensive strategies, making him a valuable addition to the Wildcats’ coaching staff.
As a player, Doege was a standout quarterback at Texas Tech from 2009 to 2012. In his senior year, he was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, finishing among the top five nationally in passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and completion percentage. His collegiate highlights include a 504-yard passing game in an upset win over No. 5 West Virginia and a seven-touchdown performance against TCU.
Head coach Brent Brennan expressed enthusiasm about Doege’s appointment, stating, “Seth is a young, innovative offensive mind whose experience as a player and coach will bring value to our offense and coaching staff.” Brennan also highlighted Doege’s deep ties to Texas and California, which are crucial recruiting areas for the Wildcats.
The coaching staff restructuring reflects a commitment to elevating the Wildcats’ performance in the upcoming season. With Doege’s proven track record of offensive success and player development, there is optimism that the team will rebound and achieve greater success on the field. The focus now shifts to integrating Doege’s offensive philosophy and preparing the team for the challenges ahead.
As the Wildcats transition into this new coaching era, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these changes translate into on-field performance. The upcoming season presents an opportunity for the Wildcats to redefine their identity and strive for a return to competitive prominence in collegiate football.