Arizona had the third stop on its spring “Wildcat Welcome Tour” on Tuesday night at Union Public House on Tucson’s north side, a well-attended event that featured appearances by athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois and several coaches, including football coach Brent Brennan and men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd.
Brennan is in town while his entire coaching staff is on the road recruiting, the latter seeking out prospects for the 2025 class and beyond while the former is stuck in Tucson due to NCAA rules for the spring that prevent head coaches from doing in-person evaluations off campus.
“I don’t love that, I would love to be able to go out,” Brennan said. “But I’ve got faith in my crew.”
Not that Brennan doesn’t have plenty to do at home. Both of them, to be precise.
“I’m trying to get a house put together,” he said. “I met with the pest control guys today. It’s normal husband stuff. I have a bed coming (Wednesday), I can’t wait.”
Arizona is still putting the finishing touches on the 2024 roster, with 10 or so scholarships left to fill. Brennan said some of those could go to walk-ons currently on the team, while more transfers (and maybe junior college prospects) are likely to be added.
The 2025 recruiting class is also a priority. As of now, the UA only has one commitment for next year: 3-star California tight end Kellan Ford, who committed on April. 7, but it had several prospects on campus last weekend for official visits and many more scheduled for the rest of May and into June.
June will also be the start of camp season, both ones run by the UA coaches and those held at other colleges in Arizona, California and Texas.
“With having spring practice finishing when it did, having the calendar continue to kind of adjust … has made May and June crazy,” Brennan said. “Those used to be months that were more focused on recruiting the next class. Now, May and June has become recruiting this class, next year’s class and the class after that. So it’s becoming really hectic.”
Despite all the craziness, Brennan said he’s been glad to be part of the Wildcat Welcome Tour. He also appeared at the event last week in Phoenix, and along with the Tucson stop said he’s gotten the chance to meet a lot of UA fans.
What have most said to him?
“It’s a combination of we’re excited you’re here, and I hope you stay,” he said.