DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Interim head football coach Mike Hankwitz addresses members of the media at a press conference earlier this week. Hankwitz will coach his first game at the helm of the Wildcats tomorrow against Washington State in Pullman, Wash.

Arizona interim head football coach Mike Hankwitz has the unenviable task of taking the reins of one of the nation's most futile programs for the remainder of the 2003 season. From off-field troubles to player-coach meltdowns, the UA program has seen it all in the past few months.

In steps Hankwitz, a no-nonsense leader that is ready take control and right the Wildcat ship ÷ at least for the next seven games.

Hankwitz shares his thoughts on what it's like to finally get a shot on top.

Wildcat: Through all the years, did you think this was how your first head coaching job would come about, under these circumstances?

Hankwitz: No, not in my wildest imagination. You just don't expect this kind of thing. I didn't see it coming and it was totally unexpected. But the opportunity was thrown at me and I just felt like I would take it to see if I could help make things better.

Wildcat: What do you expect from it? Do you have any expectations for the next seven games? Or maybe eight?

Hankwitz: I would like to see our team continue to improve each week, pull together and finish on a positive note, and see how good we can be. We showed in the TCU game we had the potential to play a top-20 team. We took them to the wire and felt like we had a chance to beat them. I think our players felt good about that. They enjoyed competing and they enjoyed being there, even though it was heartbreaking to lose in overtime.

Wildcat: It seemed as if, from the team barbecue this week to just being at practice together, that the players had a lot of fun this week. Do you think that change has been a good thing for this team and made them into more of a complete unit?

Hankwitz: Well, we've asked them to be more enthusiastic. We've asked them to move around more in practice and be a little crisper. I think the number-one reason why they're more enthusiastic is their effort from the TCU game. I know they had a gambit of emotions when Coach (John) Mackovic got released. I think they just want to move forward, though. It's been a release and I think that's why they've appeared to have a little more fun.

Wildcat: Offensively, the team moved the ball pretty well last week, aside from a couple hitches ÷ a couple interceptions and fumbles. But it seemed as if the defense really paced the game. Since defense is your forte here, do you think that some of the senior leadership, like that from players like Clay Hardt, played a role in being able to play a good all-around game last weekend?

Hankwitz: When you're in a game like that against a good team, the reason (the game is) close is because both sides are doing their job. When we scored and went ahead, that just raised the level of emotion on the sidelines tremendously.

Wildcat: Currently the tag "interim" is attached to your title. You've said all along since last Sunday that you would like to have the opportunity at the end of the season to become the permanent coach. What do you think will be a success over the next seven games, and what do you think needs to happen for that opportunity to come about?

Hankwitz: I don't know that they've put a number or any certain parameters on it.

Wildcat: What would be a success to you, though ÷ looking past the numbers, or wins and losses?

Hankwitz: If we would continue to improve each week and play hard and compete, and make more plays, and put (the team) in a position to win, then I think it would be a success because I think the players would leave feeling we did accomplish something; to show that the program, even if it doesn't show in wins and losses, is in better shape than it was in the fall. That is no disrespect to coach Mackovic. I'm just trying to continue what he started.

Wildcat: You've been coaching for 30-plus years. Are you nervous at all with your "first" game this weekend?

Hankwitz: Every coach has adrenaline flowing, because he wants to see his players do well. When you've been a coordinator, you've spent all week trying to prepare a plan. It's a chess match trying to counteract what (the opponent is) doing and make adjustments. I've had the same adrenaline and same butterflies since I've started and I don't anticipate it being any worse.

Wildcat: It seems like you've already got a visual image going for yourself during practice, with the long sleeves and that big hat. What is with the hat?

Hankwitz: (Laughs) That's the way I've dressed all fall and I just haven't dressed any differently (laughs). The hat keeps the sun away and it's a dry-fit shirt that makes me feel cooler when I wear it. A lot of the coaches do that.

Wildcat: It's been known that you had a good friendship with Coach Mackovic, and you said on Sunday that it was difficult for you to take this job considering your relationship. Have you spoken with him since Sunday?

Hankwitz: I spoke with him twice Sunday and then on Monday or Tuesday.

Wildcat: Has he given you any words of encouragement or advice?

Hankwitz: Yeah, he has. He's been very supportive. Obviously, he didn't anticipate this happening, but he understands it and he knows somebody's got to take over, and he gave me some advice and wished me well.