Former Arizona football assistant John Rushing dead at 48

Photo by Ryan Kelapire

John Rushing, a former assistant coach for the Arizona Wildcats during Kevin Sumlin’s first two seasons, has passed away at the age of 48.

Barry Bolton of 247Sports is reporting that Rushing died Friday morning in Tucson, possibly of a cardiac event, though no official cause of death has been given.

#RIP to my dear friend, Coach John Rushing. I will miss your humor, camaraderie, kindness and friendship. What I wouldn’t give to hear you say, “what’s up, OG?” one more time. Eternally grateful for our conversations, you will be forever missed. pic.twitter.com/kIEcOBI356

— Ana Cristina Verdin (@MeanVerdin) October 23, 2020

Rushing coached Arizona’s safeties throughout the 2018 season and for most of 2019 before he was fired last October along with defensive coordinator Marcel Yates. Prior to Arizona he coached at Oregon State, while from 2009-16 he worked in the NFL.

A four-year starter for Washington State from 1991-94, Rushing set a school record with 46 consecutive starts.

“John was a motor. His energy, his body language, his physicality, his confidence to share an opinion is what those great defenses were about,” former WSU teammate Torey Hunter told 247Sports. “John was fiery, but also funny, and that’s part of what made him and the Posse so special.”

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