TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona Football head coach Brent Brennan today announced the promotion of Danny Gonzales to Defensive Coordinator and the hiring of Wildcat letterwinner Joe Salave'a to serve as the program's Associate Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach.

Gonzales steps into the Defensive Coordinator position after serving as the program's linebackers coach and special teams coordinator last season. Salave'a returns to Tucson, where he was a two-time All Pac-10 player from 1994-97, to guide the Wildcats defensive line after three seasons at the University of Miami as the Hurricanes Associate Head Coach, Defensive Line Coach, and Defensive Run Game Coordinator.

"We are excited to have Danny Gonzales move into the defensive coordinator spot on our staff and it's an honor to welcome an Arizona great, Joe Salave'a, back to his alma mater," Brennan said. "Coach Gonzales has years of experience as a proven defensive play-caller with the ability to lead and develop defenses that rank among the best in the nation. And Coach Salave'a is a Wildcat at heart who has a winning pedigree and who has demonstrated the ability to identify and develop elite players along the defensive line. The experience that both bring to the table will be an asset for our student-athletes and our program."

Gonzales, a Broyles Award Nominee, boasts nearly three decades of coaching experience, including two seasons as a defensive coordinator and four as a head coach. While at New Mexico prior to his arrival in Tucson, Gonzales led the defensive unit to back-to-back top 50 seasons for the first time since 2007-08 and produced an All-American at defensive back, the first Lobo All-American since 2014.

While serving as the defensive coordinator in Tempe, Gonzales coached a Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and picked up a nomination for the Broyles Award in 2018, awarded annually to the nation's top assistant coach. His impact was immediate upon arriving in Tempe, as the defense allowed its fewest points (332) in seven seasons and held nine opponents under 30 points, a feat only accomplished five times prior during the program's Pac-10/12 era. 

Gonzales' first opportunity to call a defense came at San Diego State, where he steered the Aztecs defense during their remarkable 10-3 campaign in 2017. During that one season at the helm, the San Diego State defense finished 11th nationally and led the Mountain West in total defense, allowing just 303.5 yards per game. From 2011 to 2016, while Gonzales was the safeties coach at San Diego State, the Aztecs hauled in 100 interceptions, the third most in the nation over that span. 

Salave'a (pronounced "SAL-uh-vay-uh"), an Arizona alumnus and nine-year NFL veteran, is a dynamic recruiter who has developed numerous NFL Draft picks and All-Americans along the defensive line. He returns to Tucson for his second stint on the Wildcats' staff after serving as the Defensive Line coach during the 2011 season.

Across coaching stops at Miami (2022-24), Oregon (2017-21), Washington State (2012-16), Arizona, and San Jose State (2008-09), he has been part of five seasons of nine or more wins and coached in 11 bowl games.

Salave'a's players performances on the field have consistently ranked among the best in the nation. Through his accomplished career, he has coached two All-America selections, three different Freshman All-Americans, 20 All-Conference picks (six First Team), one WAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, one ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and more. 

Among the multitude of exceptional defensive linemen coached by Salave'a, none stand out more than Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux. Under Salave'a's guidance, Thibodeaux was a two-time All-American, Freshman All-American, two-time First Team All-Pac-12 selection, Bednarik Award finalist, Bronko Nagurski Award finalist, Ted Hendricks Award finalist, National Defensive Freshman of the Year, and the first defensive player in Oregon history to earn unanimous All-America status. Thibodeaux would go on to be a first round NFL Draft selection, making him one of seven drafted defensive linemen that Salave'a has coached. 

Salave'a takes over at Arizona for former offensive line coach Joe Seumalo, who has coached with Brennan for more than two decades. 

"We are incredibly grateful to have known Coach Seumalo, his wife, Karen, and their family for more than 25 years and to work alongside him for many of those," said Brennan. "His friendship, leadership and talent for developing players at every level has left a lasting impact on all of us. We wish him all the best in the next steps of his career."