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Kevin Sumlin: This is Business for Big Boys

Posted at 9:41 PM, Oct 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-29 00:41:59-04

TUCSON, Ariz — Arizona Football head coach Kevin Sumlin explained his decision to fire defensive coordinator Marcel Yates in a news conference on Monday.

"133 points in three weeks," said Sumlin. "I owe it to our players and fans to give them the best chance to win, and so we moved on."

Yates worked under Sumlin at both Texas A&M and then Arizona. He was in his fourth season with the Wildcat program, having previously coached under Rich Rodriguez.

"It's hard," said Sumlin. "This is business for big boys, for grown men."

Sumlin also takled about elevating former Wildcat player Chuck Cecil from a defensive analyst role to defensive coordinator.

"Chuck was a senior analyst. He's been around. Here's a guy who was an defensive coordinator at the highest level. He's been an assistant coach. He's played for years. He's got some knowledge."

Cecil was defensive coordinator for the NFL's Tennesse Titans. His first game as Wildcat defensive coordinator will be the homecoming game on Saturday against Oregon State.