TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The Arizona Wildcats roots run deep through the Cienega High School football program.
“I've known these guys for 25 years," said head coach Pat Nugent. "I didn't coach with them until I got to Cienega."
Cienega football head coach Pat Nugent and his two assistants, Mark Fontana and Brett Holley, were Arizona Wildcats in the late 1980's. Now all three coach at Cienega.
“I played under coach Tomey, and obviously these two guys were here when I was there. Mark Fontana and I played at U of A years ago," said a former punter for the Wildcats and the NFL, assistant coach Brett Holley.
He knows how important college can be for athletes.
“That college experience is something that the NFL can't offer you. It's a whole different deal."
And now, the two coaches have a pupil following in their footsteps.
Star quarterback Jamarye Joyner, who has helped lead the Bobcats to an 11-0 record, has already has committed to Arizona for 2018.
“It's like having 6 father figures on the field," said Joyner.
Coach Holley says college football is a little different.
"He's a superstar, there's superstars where he is now and he'll be good at that level but just encourage him you gotta work. You know at that level there's a lot of kids that work."
Whether it's at that level, or this level, these former and future Wildcats are leading the Bobcats deep in the state playoffs.
“Back then a lot of love in the program, a lot of fun and coach brings the same thing out here for us," said Coach Nugent.
