Reaction: Arizona football hiring Danny Gonzales, former ASU defensive coordinator
While not exactly common, football coaches spending time on the staffs at both Arizona State and Arizona isn't exactly rare.
Scottie Graham spent time in ASU's athletic department before joining Arizona's staff in 2021. Bobby Wade was an offensive analyst at ASU before recently joining Brent Brennan's staff this season at Arizona as the wide receivers coach.
But the latest news of a former Sun Devils assistant joining the Wildcats' staff might prove to be much more difficult for some ASU fans to swallow.
Brennan is reportedly hiring former Arizona State defensive coordinator and former New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales as linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.
Gonzales was Herm Edwards' defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019 before leaving to coach at New Mexico, his alma mater, where he coached for four seasons before getting fired with an 11-32 record.
Gonzales became very popular with ASU players, fans and in the community during his stint in Tempe.
More: Arizona football's hire of Brent Brennan as head coach praised, criticized
Social media reacted to the Danny Gonzales hire at Arizona with mixed emotions:
Bobby Wade gets a job at Arizona:
"Man good for him. He earned it. That's home."
Danny Gonzales gets a job at Arizona:
"Tequila for breakfast it is"— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) January 24, 2024
Gonzales embraced the in-state rivalry like few other coaches I've seen in my 25 years covering ASU. Called Arizona the "Anti-200" referring to Proposition 200 that resulted in the transformation of Arizona State College, into Arizona State University. Oh the irony 😀 https://t.co/szniY5TBzR
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) January 24, 2024
Danny G with a new job! This doesn't surprise me at all as new head coach Brent Brennan is good friends with Danny Gonzales. Small world in the coaching circle, happy for him to land on his feet! https://t.co/kN4OZbFc4g
— Roger Holien (@rogeraholien) January 24, 2024
Good hire for them. I enjoyed Danny Gonzales time with us.
— SunDevilPete ☀️😈 (@SundevilPete) January 24, 2024
Danny Gonzales is a solid hire for ST/LB. Can recruit the west coast and his experience is very good. Nice hire Brennan.
— Chief (@Chiefzona1472) January 24, 2024
If I remember right: When he was at ASU, Danny Gonzales called Arizona the "No 200 Gang," in reference to the 1958 proposition that turned Arizona State College into Arizona State University.
Looks like he's joining that gang. https://t.co/tMq7xNI5y3— Shane Dale (@ShaneDaleAZ) January 24, 2024
Another piece of the puzzle - Danny Gonzales is set to become Arizona’s special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. Big time hire by Brent Brennan! https://t.co/fn8JRnLuWz
— AZ Band Cat Sports (@AZBandCatSports) January 24, 2024
Brent Brennan gets a ton of experience in former New Mexico HC Danny Gonzales. Happy to see him land on his feet https://t.co/VuXPITThwF
— Jack Thompson AKA JackTalksCFB (@JackTalksCFB) January 24, 2024
Arizona hired a "retread", so to speak. Gonzalez was 11-32 as a HC at New Mexico & was a tick over .500 as Edward's DC (2 years) in Tempe. These are the facts and they're indisputable. Collegiate football is a results-driven game. On paper, this looks like a mediocre hire.
— Rich Carrillo (@RichCarrillo6) January 24, 2024
Antonio Pierce was the LB’s coach at ASU when Danny Gonzales was the Sun Devil’s Defensive Coordinator, then Pierce took over once Gonzales left for UNM.
We gave them Pierce, so now we get Danny Gonzales who brings a ton of experience.— Tyler Cole🌵 (@ArizonaWildbags) January 24, 2024
Interestingly, the Wildcats are scheduled to open the 2024 season against Gonzales' former team, New Mexico, on Saturday, Aug. 31 in Tucson.
They are also scheduled to host Arizona State next season.
More: Danny Gonzales opens up about why he left Arizona State
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona football's Danny Gonzales hire: Mixed emotions for ASU fans
