Dick Tomey, the winningest coach at the University of Arizona, has died at age 80 from cancer, his family announced Saturday.
Tomey compiled a 95-64-4 record in 14 seasons with the Wildcats from 1987 to 2000. Arizona appeared in seven bowl games under Tomey, winning four.
His Wildcat teams finished in the Associated Press Top 25 poll four times, including a No. 10 ranking in 1993 and a No. 4 ranking in 1998.
“Dick Tomey was never petty, never small minded,” his family said in a statement. “He was a man who discovered his mission in life, embraced it, enjoyed it, and accomplished amazing things. When speaking of football, he often said, ‘Football is not complicated. People are.’ He was always, first and foremost, a people person.
“On the football field he was a tough as nails coach, who loved fierce competition and the thrill of team-building. He loved his players, every single one of them — always. He was hard on them. He constantly raised the bar. He could do that because he knew how to find the goodness and the talent in people.”
His “Desert Swarm” defenses were led by Hall of Famers Tedy Bruschi and Rob Waldrop.
Before Arizona, Tomey coached 10 seasons at Hawaii, where his teams were 63-46-3.
Following his time at Arizona, Tomey guided San Jose State for five seasons, compiling a 25-35 record with one bowl win.