In 2004, Arizona hired Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, brother of famed Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops, to become the Wildcats’ 28th football coach. Stoops was hired to rebuild the team and to clean up the program's mess caused by Mackovic's troubles. Arizona began rebuilding and went 3–8 in Stoops’ first two seasons, which included upset victories over Arizona State in 2004 and UCLA in 2005. However, due to his record at the time, Stoops’ job was in critical danger and his margin for error was very thin. However, in his third season in 2006, Stoops led the Wildcats to an improved 6–6 record, the first non-losing season for the school since 1999 when the Wildcats went 6–6. The Wildcats upset California and became bowl-eligible. However, a loss to Arizona State and a losing conference record prevented them from earning a bowl bid.
