Arizona State coaching search update: 20 thoughts on Sun Devils rumors, candidates and more
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State fired Herm Edwards six weeks ago, giving itself a head start on a coaching search that will reshape its future.
The Sun Devils are one of eight FBS programs seeking a head coach. Auburn joined the group Monday, dismissing coach Bryan Harsin. The others: Charlotte, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, UAB and Wisconsin. This list will grow in the next couple of weeks.
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In the meantime, questions have surfaced. Has popular interim coach Shaun Aguano done enough to keep the Arizona State job? Is Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham the best option? What about Deion Sanders?
Twenty thoughts on Arizona State’s quiet search:
1. Before Arizona State hires a coach, it must look at itself. This program long has suffered an identity crisis, caught between what it wants to be and what it is. It’s fine to think you’re above the lower-level bowls, but to feel that way you have to actually win those bowls. Too often, the Sun Devils haven’t. Since 2000, they’re 5-10 in bowl games. Know who you are. Build from there.
2. The hurdles with this search are real. Arizona State is under NCAA investigation for alleged recruiting violations. The Pac-12 is on shaky ground. And despite a recent public statement of support from school president Michael Crow, Ray Anderson’s job security as vice president of athletics is flimsy. Candidates with options may dismiss the Sun Devils for just these reasons. An abundance of unknown variables does not make for a great work environment.
3. That doesn’t mean Arizona State can’t land a good coach. You can get players here. Even though the NCAA probe has devastated recruiting, Arizona State is a known brand in Southern California. The in-state talent keeps improving. The campus is a plus. The facilities are strong. It may not be the “sleeping giant” everyone thinks, but this remains an attractive job.
4. The Sun Angel Collective, a booster-led initiative that helps players with NIL opportunities, could play a significant role. From the time it launched in August, collective leaders knew that Edwards’ time at Arizona State was short. The group has had months to get resources in place for a new coach.
5. To date, the strangest development in this search occurred Oct. 13 when Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for Arizona governor, tweeted support for Urban Meyer as Arizona State’s next coach: “Let’s instill a winning tradition and make this more than football, let’s make this the start of a legacy.” I have no idea what that means.
ASU fan poll: Given his track record of success (and other things), do you think Arizona State should pursue Urban Meyer as its next football coach?
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) October 28, 2022
6. Is it common for politicians to openly endorse a coaching candidate? Not really. Although they may make their opinions known behind the scenes, rarely do they come out and endorse a candidate like this. In 1977, after LSU lost its opener to Indiana, fans flooded the office of Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards with letters and phone calls, each demanding that he step in and help get LSU coach Charles McClendon fired. Responded Edwards, “People should understand that the governor of this state does not hire or fire football coaches.” McClendon rebounded and LSU finished 8-4.
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7. So is Meyer a legit candidate? I’ve heard nothing that suggests he is. Azcentral.com columnist Greg Moore wrote that Meyer at least deserves a conversation, and it’s difficult to disagree. Arizona State has longed to be a big-time player. Meyer would make it one. But the baggage with him is awfully heavy.
8. Matt Rhule? He would be good. He knows how to build programs. He did it at Temple and Baylor. He could do the same here. But it’s hard to see the former Carolina Panthers coach jumping into this situation, especially given the NCAA probe.
9. Speaking of, while reporting another story, I recently talked with Tennessee athletic director Danny White. In 2021, White hired Josh Heupel, with whom he had worked previously at UCF. At the time, Tennessee was under NCAA investigation. I asked White if that had been a hurdle during the search process. His answer: definitely. Tennessee had a ton to sell, but it also had this dark cloud. “The opportunity to rebuild that (tradition) is really cool,’’ White said. “That’s really cool from an athletic director’s perspective and that’s really cool from a football coach’s perspective. And that’s what I was selling. But certainly there were a lot of questions about the NCAA investigation. Josh had a lot of questions about it. Everyone did, as you would expect.”
10. Arizona State is not expected to receive a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA until after this season.
11. Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham is intriguing. After dismissing Edwards, Anderson suggested Arizona State might need someone well-versed in college football’s changing landscape. Translation: someone young. At 32, Dillingham might be a little too young, but he shouldn’t go ignored.
ASU fan poll: Do you think Arizona State should pursue Oregon OC Kenny Dillingham as its next football coach?
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) October 28, 2022
12. I was in Eugene two weeks ago covering Oregon’s win against UCLA. Dillingham had the Ducks operating like they did under Chip Kelly. Quarterback Bo Nix looked like a Heisman Trophy contender. Through eight games, Oregon averages 42.4 points, fifth-best in the country. The Ducks have allowed one sack all season. They haven’t lost a fumble.
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13. Dillingham’s local ties are well known. After an injury cut short his playing days at Scottsdale Chaparral High, he joined the coaching staff. He attended Arizona State and later worked under former coach Todd Graham. Dillingham then followed former offensive coordinator Mike Norvell and held similar positions at Memphis and Florida State. He also worked at Auburn.
14. I asked Oregon coach Dan Lanning about Dillingham. “He’s done a great job,” Lanning said. “Obviously, he’s a guy that I’ve been able to see in the profession for a really long time. It wasn’t that long ago that Kenny Dillingham was that high school coach at Chaparral High School. Sitting in a corner at a staff meeting every single day, not saying a word. He has grown so much as a coach and developed over time and, obviously, he’s doing a great job leading our team, our offense and those coaches.”
15. Aguano has done a tremendous job taking over for Edwards as interim coach. He has injected energy into the program, held players accountable and prioritized in-state recruiting. Best of all, the Sun Devils (3-5) have improved. But it’s hard to think Aguano’s candidacy didn’t take a hit with the Oct. 22 loss at Stanford. It was a loss an interim coach could not afford.
16. That said, Arizona State has a new quarterback in Trenton Bourguet. The former walk-on passed for 435 yards in last week’s win over Colorado. If Bourguet rallies the Sun Devils to six wins and bowl eligibility, helping Aguano keep the job, it would be the best Arizona State story in years. No pressure, Trenton.
17. If Arizona State does go in a different direction, the Sun Devils should make every effort to keep Aguano on staff. Make him associate head coach. Whatever. He has earned it.
18. Complete honesty: I don’t know what to make of Deion Sanders. He’s 23-5 at Jackson State, including 8-0 this season. He should get strong looks this offseason, and Sanders seems interested in seeing what’s available. He told “College GameDay” last week that while he has no plans to leave Jackson State, he’d be a “fool” not to listen. Coach Prime will get a Power 5 opportunity. I’m just not sure Arizona State is that place. Sanders always has seemed destined for the SEC or ACC. He’s already been listed as a strong candidate at Auburn.
19. A name I recently heard: Jeff Monken. In nine seasons at Army, Monken has produced seasons of 10-3, 11-2, 9-3 and 9-4. Overall, he’s 61-47. Some folks would have issues with Monken’s option offense background, but that might be the perfect scheme for a school facing challenges in the NIL race. It’s not sexy, but it’s effective. (And Monken and other service academy coaches have pointed out they would not necessarily run a pure triple-option system if hired by a school with more resources.) Monken also would help clean up a program that has struggled with penalties the past two seasons.
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20. Just because Arizona State fired Edwards after Week 3 doesn’t necessarily mean the Sun Devils are close to a decision. Many head coaches won’t interview with a school until after the season. That could hold things up. The early signing period starts Dec. 21. It’ll be here before you know it.
(Photo: Kevin Abele / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
