The Arizona Wildcats football program is making significant changes to its coaching staff as it prepares for the 2025 season, hiring Seth Doege as its new offensive coordinator. At just 35 years old, Doege is stepping into this role with a reputation for innovative play-calling and quarterback development, aiming to revitalize the Wildcats’ offense after a disappointing 4-8 season under former coordinator Dino Babers.
Seth Doege’s Path to Arizona
Doege has steadily risen through the coaching ranks, building a diverse resume:
- 2024: Served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Marshall, where his offense averaged 31.8 points per game (40th in FBS) and an impressive 201.7 rushing yards per game (20th in FBS). Marshall won the Sun Belt title and is set to compete in the Independence Bowl.
- Previous Roles:
- Tight ends coach at Purdue (2023).
- Offensive analyst under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss (2022).
- Tight ends coach at USC (2021), where he previously worked as an offensive quality control analyst (2018–2020).
- Graduate assistant and wide receivers coach at Bowling Green (2016–2018).
- Playing Career: Quarterback at Texas Tech (2008–2012), where he excelled in Mike Leach’s Air Raid system and was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award in 2012. Brief stints in the NFL and CFL preceded his coaching career.
Doege’s Task at Arizona
Doege’s primary challenge will be to rejuvenate an offense that struggled in 2024. Head coach Brent Brennan emphasized the importance of finding a coordinator who could develop quarterback Noah Fifita, a talented signal-caller set to return for his junior season. Fifita has shown promise, and Doege’s track record with quarterbacks like Marshall’s Braylon Braxton—who threw for 19 touchdowns and rushed for 610 yards this season—positions him as a strong fit.
Staff Reshuffling
The Wildcats are undergoing a comprehensive restructuring of their coaching staff:
- Dino Babers: Out as offensive coordinator after relinquishing play-calling duties mid-season.
- Duane Akina and Danny Gonzales: Retained but with new roles, as Arizona continues its search to complete the staff.
Why This Matters
The hiring of Doege signals a forward-looking approach for Arizona, prioritizing modern offensive strategies and quarterback-centric development. With Doege’s experience in the Air Raid system and his recent success at Marshall, Arizona fans can look forward to a potentially dynamic offense in 2025.
The Wildcats’ 2025 season will be a pivotal one as they aim to build a competitive program in a challenging Pac-12 environment.