Former Arizona quarterback & assistant coach Marc Lunsford, 70, passes away

Marc Lunsford, known as “Coach Luns” to many former Arizona players, died Tuesday in Tucson at age 70 after health problems.

Lunsford played quarterback for the Wildcats from 1974 through 1977. He later spent nearly two decades with Arizona’s football program, working as a graduate assistant, receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, running backs coach, tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator and the school’s first director of operations. He served under coaches Larry Smith and Dick Tomey.

Lunsford’s playing time increased in 1976 and 1977 after spending his first two seasons behind starting quarterback Bruce Hill. He still holds Arizona career records for yards per attempt, at 8.3, and yards per completion, at 18.13.

After leaving coaching, Lunsford worked in behavioral health at La Frontera Behavioral Health Center and Sabino Recovery. Former Wildcats remembered him as demanding, fair and deeply invested in players’ development. Jay Dobyns said Lunsford stayed after practice to help players and remained a mentor long after their playing days ended.