It appears Arizona has already lost a verbal commitment -- for now -- due to the unceremonious firing of head coach Mike Stoops.
The Arizona Daily Star reports by way of the Sporting News that three-star defensive back Leo Thomas of Houston High School (strangely enough located in San Antonio, TX), has re-opened his recruiting in the wake of Stoops’ dismissal. Thomas currently has offers or interest from Colorado, Wake Forest, SMU, UTEP and North Texas.
“I would tell Coach Stoops that even though the Arizona Wildcats started off slow this year, I know Coach Stoops is still awesome and outgoing, and I wish I could still be around him,” Thomas told TSN.
Since verbal commitments are non-binding, Thomas can always re-commit to Arizona; Thomas originally committed to UA in August.
Defensive coordinator Tim Kish is serving as the Wildcats’ interim head coach. Boise State coach Chris Petersen, former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and Louisiana Tech coach/former UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes have been mentioned as possible replacements.