Arizona is hiring New England Patriots assistant Jedd Fisch as its head coach, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. When Fisch wanted a chance to serve as a graduate assistant coach under Steve Spurrier, he left notes on the windshield of the Florida coach's car for 450 straight days. Fisch was hired as New England’s quarterbacks coach under Belichick earlier this year after two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams as senior offensive assistant and assistant offensive coordinator. He also was the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks/wide receivers coach under Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and had offensive coordinator stints with Miami and Minnesota. “Jedd Fisch is the head football coach because he's the right man at the right time to rebuild this program back to prominence, a proud program,” Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke said.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona fired football coach Kevin Sumlin following a blowout loss to rival Arizona State that extended a record losing streak. Sumlin was fired Saturday, less than 24 hours after a 70-7 loss to Arizona State that stretched the Wildcats' losing streak to 12 games spanning two seasons. Arizona State scored the most points in Territorial Cup series history to send Arizona to its fifth straight loss this season, with another possible game next week. Arizona went 9-20 — 6-17 in the Pac-12 — with no bowl appearances under Sumlin and lost all three games to Arizona State. Arizona showed some promise in Sumlin's first season in the desert, but went into a downward spiral the past two years.

Taylor returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and Arizona State scored twice in the opening 56 seconds to rout rival Arizona 70-7 Friday night. “I’ve never been part of a game like that in my life,” Arizona State co-defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis said. Arizona State lost the previous two games it played on last-minute TDs and three more to COVID-19 issues. Arizona State led 42-7 at halftime — most first-half points in Territorial Cup history — despite being outgained 260-241 in total yards. He is 9-20 and has not beaten Arizona State in three seasons in the desert, but also has a large buyout.