Brian DeSpain is entering his third season at Arizona as the program’s Director of Football Operations. DeSpain was hired by Arizona in August of 2019 following seven seasons at the University of New Mexico.
DeSpain coordinates the daily operation of Arizona Football, along with coordinating fall camp. He is also in charge of team travel, managing the logistics of incoming student-athletes and coordinating all team meals. DeSpain also serves as the Summer Camp Director.
At New Mexico, DeSpain spent his first four seasons as the Director of Football Operations, before being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Football for his final three seasons in Albuquerque. DeSpain served as a liaison between the program and many campus constituents, and worked closely with University of New Mexico’s Athletic Academic Advisors on team academics.
DeSpain also aided in practice planning and managing the office personnel at New Mexico. He worked closely with the athletic communications office on publicity and handled all manners of budgeting, fundraising, facilities, game scheduling and compliance. He also served as the team’s NFL Liaison and coordinated team travel and bowl logistics. DeSpain also served on the Mountain West Football Championship Game Committee from 2013 to 2018.
Prior to his time at New Mexico, DeSpain was a football operations and recruiting assistant at Texas A&M from 2008-11. He graduated from the university in 2007 with a major in kinesiology and received his master’s degree in higher education administration from Texas A&M in 2010.
DeSpain has one son, Beau, born in 2016.
