Bobby Wade enters his third season with the Wildcats in 2026. He was hired by head coach Brent Brennan in January 2024 as the program's pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach and was promoted to assistant head coach in April 2026.
Wade, a legendary Wildcat alumni, was the Wildcats career leader in receiving yards until he coached Tetairoa McMillan past his mark during the 2024 campaign. McMillan finished his career with 3,423 receiving yards, narrowly edging past Wade's mark of 3,351 yards. Following his Arizona career, McMillan was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and went on to become the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
During his stint coaching at Arizona, Wade has produced four All-Big 12 wide receivers, including First Team selection Tetairoa McMillan in 2024 and Third Team selection Kris Hutson in 2025.
Wade, who played wide receiver for the Wildcats from 1999-2002, hauled in 230 receptions for 3,351 yards and 23 touchdowns during his collegiate career, all three marks which rank within the top five in program history. The 2002 All-American and two-time All-Pac-12 First Team honoree was inducted into the Arizona Football Ring of Honor in 2015.Â
Following his collegiate career, Wade was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He went on to enjoy a seven-year, 102-game NFL career that included 244 receptions for 2,858 yards and nine touchdowns. Wade spent time on the rosters of the Bears, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs. Â
Before returning to Tucson, Wade spent the previous five years on staff at Arizona State, serving in multiple roles. He began his tenure in Tempe as a graduate assistant from 2019-20, moved into an offensive analyst role in 2021, and earned a promotion to full-time receivers coach for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. During the 2023 season he took over as the Sun Devils senior offensive analyst.Â
Wade’s coaching career also includes participation in the NFL’s Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship internship program with the Miami Dolphins.Â
His time at ASU was preceded by a two-plus year stint at Cesar Chavez High School in Phoenix, where he coached the team’s wide receivers. Wade’s coaching experience also includes four-plus years as the head coach and co-president of Arizona Saints Sports, a prominent youth football organization.
Bobby Wade Coaching Experience
- 2026–present: Arizona (Assistant Head Coach, Pass Game Coordinator, Wide Receivers)
- 2024–25: Arizona (Pass Game Coordinator, Wide Receivers)
- 2023: Arizona State (Senior Offensive Analyst)
- 2021–22: Arizona State (Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers)
- 2019–20: Arizona State (Graduate Assistant)
- 2017–18: Cesar Chavez High School (Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers)
Last Updated: May 1, 2026
