Arizona’s defense is going to look a lot different in 2025, but the Wildcats didn’t have to look far to find its next leader. And, one of the greatest linemen program in program history is also returning to lead the UA’s defensive front. Linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Danny Gonzales has been promoted to defensive coordinator, while Miami defensive line coach and associate head coach Joe Salave’a has been hired for a similar role at Arizona.
Joe Salave’a
Salave’a replaces defensive line coach Joe Seumalo, who is no longer with the program after one season. Meanwhile, as previously announced, Duane Akina is returning to coaching defensive backs after coordinating the defense in 2024.
Joe Salave’a returns to Tucson after spending the past three seasons at Miami, where he served as associate head coach, defensive line coach, and defensive run game coordinator. Prior to that, Salave’a spent five seasons at Oregon, and five at Washington State, all in similar roles. He worked under Mario Cristobal at Miami and Oregon, and Mike Leach at Washington State.
This will be Salave’a’s second stint as a coach at his alma mater. He served as the defensive line coach under Mike Stoops in 2011. He began his coaching career as the D-Line coach at San Jose State in 2008-09 under Dick Tomey, whom he played for at Arizona from 1994-97. Current Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan was also a member of that staff.
During his playing career in Tucson, Salave’a was a standout on the defensive line during the Desert Swarm era. He earned All-Pac-10 honors twice, including First-Team honors in 1997. He was drafted by the Tennessee Oilers, now Titans, in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Salave’a played three seasons for the Titans and was a member of the Super Bowl 34 team in 1999. He spent nine seasons in the NFL, also playing for the Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins.
Danny Gonzales
This will be Danny Gonzales’ third defensive coordinator position. He led San Diego State’s defense in 2017, and was ASU’s defensive coordinator in 2018-19, before serving as head coach of the New Mexico Lobos from 2020-23. His SDSU defense was ranked 11th nationally in 2017, allowing 314.5 yards per game. At Arizona State, he put together a top 50 scoring defense in both seasons. Two of his defenses at New Mexico also ranked in the top 50.
Arizona was 106th in total defense in 2024, including 109th against scoring, 98th against the run, and 103rd against the pass. The loss of defensive captains Jacob Manu, Gunner Maldonado, and Treydan Stukes had a major impact on those figures.
While several key starters, including Manu, Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, and Tacario Davis are not returning to Tucson next season, veteran defensive backs Genesis Smith, Dalton Johnson, and Treydan Stukes are all set to return after withdrawing from the transfer portal. The Wildcats have also added nine defensive players via the transfer portal and another 12 in the 2025 recruiting class.
Outside of Joe Salave’a, the only other newcomer to the Arizona staff is Seth Doege, who will serves as the counterpoint to Danny Gonzales on the offense. The Wildcats still need to hire a special teams coordinator. When Arizona’s initial staff changes were announced in December, Brent Brennan said he wants someone whose main focus is on the specialists, after Danny Gonzales split time between special teams and coaching linebackers last season.