Chuck Cecil is set to remain in Tucson as a Senior Defensive Assistant, Offense for Arizona Football under Brent Brennan.
In his new position, Cecil will be tasked with providing “in-depth analysis and analytics of opponents’ defenses” to Arizona’s offensive staff, while identifying and delivering “schematic and competitive advantages for play-calling, techniques, and personnel.”
Following the announcement, Brent Brennan said “In today’s college football model, with the demands of recruiting and NIL, we need a position that would increase communication, competitive advantages, and functionality.” Brennan added, “The senior defensive assistant, offense, position modernizes our traditional coaching hierarchy – without adding personnel count – and there is no better coach to fill that role than Chuck Cecil.”
Cecil, a former consensus All-American and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year at Arizona, returned to Tucson in 2018 after serving as the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator from 2009-2010, and the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams secondary coach from 2016-2018. During his time back in Tucson, Cecil has worked as a senior defensive analyst under Kevin Sumlin from 2018-2020, as well as interim defensive coordinator in 2019. Most recently, Cecil spent the past three seasons as Arizona’s safeties coach (2021-23) under former head coach Jedd Fisch.
Brennan added, “Chuck has done an incredible job recruiting and coaching the defensive backs for the past three years in Tucson, and it is hard to find another person who cares more about the Wildcats than him. He brings invaluable football knowledge from both the professional and collegiate coach and player perspectives, and we are excited to keep him home with the Wildcats in this new role.”
Last season under Cecil, Arizona’s safeties saw a significant jump, with Dalton Johnson’s tackling and Gunner Maldonado’s nose for turning over the football becoming focal points of Arizona’s defense in 2023. Johnson and Dalton, who are both set to return in 2024, were responsible for the forced fumble and 87-yard touchdown return that led to Arizona’s 38-24 comeback win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
“A big thank you to Coach Brennan for the opportunity to stay at Arizona in this new role,” stated Cecil. “Coaching the Wildcats, and being a part of the football program, continues to be a blessing for me and my family. My wife, daughter and I have made Tucson my home and staying with the Wildcats is ideally how I would like to end my coaching career – but not anytime soon.”