Arizona is expected to hire former Syracuse coach Dino Babers as its next offensive coordinator, according to a report.

That news was first shared by FootballScoop on Thursday afternoon. Babers becomes a key assistant on Brent Brennan’s first staff in Tucson. This will not be Babers’ first stint in Arizona. He served in a variety of roles on the Wildcats’ coaching staff from 1995-2000, including as the program’s offensive coordinator from 1998-2000.

Babers was fired as Syracuse’s head coach just before the end of the 2023 season. He spent nearly 8 seasons in charge of the Orange and helped lead the program to three bowl games during his tenure. Syracuse won 10 games during an impressive 2018 campaign, but Babers was never able to replicate that success.

This will be Babers’ first time as an offensive coordinator since he served in that role for Texas A&M in 2001-02. Prior to taking the head job at Syracuse, he was the head coach at Bowling Green and Eastern Illinois. He’s also been an assistant coach at programs such as Baylor, UCLA and Pitt.

Arizona is expected to compete at a high level in the Big 12 next season despite losing head coach Jedd Fisch to Washington. Quarterback Noah Fifita, who established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks nationally in 2023, is expected to lead a talented group of returners on Arizona’s roster in 2024.