Conference Pac-12 Conference 2012 record 8–5 (4–5 Pac-12) | Division South Division Co-offensive coordinator Rod Smith (1st year) | |
Head coach Rich Rodriguez (1st year) Co-offensive coordinator Calvin Magee (1st year) | ||
The 2012 Arizona Wildcats football team represented the University of Arizona in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats played at Arizona Stadium in Tucson for the 84th straight year. The 2012 season was Arizona's second in the South Division of the Pac-12 Conference and the first for head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Contents
Previous season
Interim head coach Tim Kish led the Cats for the last six games of the 2011 season, replacing eighth-year head coach Mike Stoops, who was fired after starting the season 1–5 (the sole victory coming against FCS Northern Arizona). Under Stoops, extending back to the 2010 season, the Wildcats had lost 10 consecutive games to FBS opponents, their last victory coming nearly a year earlier on October 30, 2010, against UCLA. Kish, who started the season as defensive coordinator, went 3–3, leading the team to a record of 4–8 (2–7 Pac-12) on the season.
Three Wildcats from the 2011 squad were drafted to the NFL. Nick Foles was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round (88th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on May 21, 2012. Juron Criner was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round (168th overall). Trevin Wade was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round (245th overall).
Incoming recruiting class and transfers
High School Recruits
Junior College Transfers
Division I Transfers
Spring Game
Arizona held its spring Red and Blue game on April 14 at Kino Stadium in Tucson. The team's offense gained 597 yards over 98 plays, scoring 10 touchdowns. 445 yards and 6 touchdowns came through the air.
Schedule
Arizona plays eight of twelve regular season games at home: all three non-conference games and five of nine Pac-12 games. The Cats play neither Washington State nor California for the second straight season after the league's expansion to 12 teams.