Why Arizona's football coach wears one

Whether in college football or the NFL, football coaches develop a signature look on the sidelines over time, which is characterized by their clothing, from the visor to the Nike Low Dunks.

And Brent Brennan, the new coach of the Arizona football team, seems to have already found his thing after just two games of his tenure with the Wildcats: a flower garland.

Anyone who has watched Wildcats football games this season understands the significance of Brennan's stylistic gesture. Anyone who hasn't will be curious as to why Brennan is wearing a flower lei.

Here's more about why Brennan is wearing a lei at Arizona football games this season:

Why is Brent Brennan wearing a flower necklace?

Brennan first wore a lei at Big 12 Football Media Day in Las Vegas in July. He then wore multiple leis at Arizona's season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 31, both during the Wildcat Walk into the stadium and on the sidelines throughout the game.

Here's Brennan wearing it on the sidelines:

After Arizona's victory over New Mexico, Brennan was asked in his postgame press conference if he would wear the floral crown and if it would be his trademark this season.

“It's a typical look when you get one from Noah Fifita's grandmother and the other from Tetairoa McMillan's mother,” Brennan said when asked who gave him the leis for the game.

Arizona has 14 players of Polynesian descent on its roster. Of those 14 players, seven – Fifita, Keanu Mailoto, Jacob Manu, McMillan, Jonah Savaiinaea, Stanley Ta'ufo'ou and Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei – were named to the Polynesian College Football Players of the Year list this season. The award is given by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame to the “most outstanding college football player of Polynesian descent who exemplifies great skill and integrity.”

“It was cool. It was an incredible gesture from them,” Brennan said of the feeling of receiving the gift. “(We) trust the culture of everyone on the team. That's what makes us unique (and) special.”

During Arizona's game against Northern Arizona in Week 2, Brennan again wore a lei on the sidelines.

What is a lei?

According to Hawaii Flower Lei, leis were brought to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian travelers. The garlands – made from “flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bones and teeth of various animals” – were used by ancient Hawaiians to “beautify themselves and distinguish themselves from others.”

As Skyline Hawaii notes, a lei is a “general symbol of love, friendship, celebration, honor, or greeting” that also means “aloha” or hello. They are most commonly seen at important life events such as births, graduations, and weddings.

Before last week's game against Northern Arizona, several Polynesian players from Arizona's squad were seen entering the locker room with a flower garland in their hands:

Brent Brennan’s coaching record and history

Brennan is in his first season in Tucson as the sideline coach of the Wildcats program. He was hired on January 16, 2024, after former Arizona football coach Jedd Fisch left for Washington after Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama to replace Nick Saban.

Before Arizona, the 51-year-old coach spent seven seasons at San Jose State. In his seven years with the Spartans, Brennan led the program to three bowl game appearances and finished with an overall record of 34-48, including a combined record of 3-22 in his first two seasons as coach of the Spartans.

He finished his final four years at San Jose State with successful seasons, including a 7-1 record in the COVID-19-affected 2020 college football season. Here is a summary of Brennan's college football coaching career:

Hawaii (1998): Research Assistant
Washington (1999): Research Assistant
Arizona (2000): Research Assistant
CalPoly (2001-04): Assistant Coach
San Jose State (2005-2006): Wide Receiver Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
San Jose State (2007–08): Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
State of San José (2009): Offensive Tackles, Tight Ends Coach/Special Teams Coordinator
State of San José (2010): Wide Receiver Coach
Oregon State (2011–15): Wide Receiver Coach
State of Oregon (2016): External wide receiver coach
San Jose State (2017-2023): Head Coach
Arizona (2024-present): Head Coach

Why Arizona's football coach wears one

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Why Arizona's football coach wears one

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