Rich Rodriguez has worked quickly since being named the head coach of Arizona Wildcats football and made a significant hiring on Friday night. With most of his staff already in place, Rodriguez decided to re-hire offensive line coach Robert Anae, who worked wonders in his first year at UA with a young and inexperienced offensive line. Coach Rodriguez addressed the hiring, through an official release from the Athletic Department:
"I'm happy to re-hire Robert to join this staff," Rodriguez said. "He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to add to our offensive package and is a great fit for our program."
Rodriguez said he would hire one more offensive coach, to work with tight ends. Yesterday he named Rod Smith a co-coordinator and quarterbacks coach and on Monday he'll join the staff already aboard -- co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Calvin Magee and receivers coach Tony Dews, along with defensive backs coach Tony Gibson. Anae will return promptly.
The re-hiring brings stability to the offensive line, seeing as there has been turnover at the position the last two seasons. Anae has earned himself a reputation of being a first-class person and coach and he is more than qualified to handle the job.
Rodriguez said he'll complete the staff with three defensive coaches -- including a coordinator -- in the next week or so. Depending on the individuals that would be a line coach, linebackers coach and likely a perimeter package mentor in the expected 3-3-5 defense he's used in previous head coaching jobs. Additionally, he said he would determine the leadership role for special teams by the time the entire staff is complete.
"I'm thrilled to be back and eager to join Coach Rodriguez and the rest of his staff in shaping a new direction for Arizona football," Anae said. "We have a great opportunity to be a fine team. I'm ready to bear down with Rich's staff."
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