Arizona State Sun Devils Football: A Legacy Forged in the Desert
The Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University (ASU) in American college football. Competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Big 12 Conference, the Sun Devils have a rich history dating back to 1897. They play their home games at Mountain America Stadium, named Frank Kush Field, in Tempe, Arizona, and are currently led by head coach Kenny Dillingham.
This article explores the key moments, coaches, and players that have shaped the Arizona State Sun Devils football program. From its humble beginnings to its conference championships and bowl game victories, the Sun Devils have left an indelible mark on college football.
Early Years and Coaching Pioneers
The genesis of ASU football can be traced back to the Territorial Normal School, which later became Tempe Normal School and eventually Arizona State University. Frederick M. Irish holds the distinction of being the first head football coach, serving from 1896 to 1906 and compiling a record of 12-8. The program experienced some interruptions, with no teams fielded in 1897, 1898, or 1901.
In the subsequent years, several coaches guided the team, each leaving their own mark:
- George Schaeffer (1914-1916): 7-8 record
- Aaron McCreary (1923-1929): 25-17-4 record. During his tenure, the school's nickname changed from the Owls to the Bulldogs, and the institution was renamed Arizona State University.
- Ted Shipkey (1930-1932): 13-10-2 record
- Rudy Lavik (1933-1937): 13-26-3 record
- Dixie Howell (1938-1941): 23-15-4 record
- Ed Doherty (1947-1950): 25-17 record
- Clyde Smith (1952-1954): 15-13-1 record
The Dan Devine and Frank Kush Era: Building a Winning Tradition
A pivotal moment arrived on February 5, 1955, when Michigan State assistant coach Dan Devine accepted the head coaching position at Arizona State. He brought with him Frank Kush, who would later become a legendary figure in Sun Devil football history.
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Devine's tenure (1955-1957) saw immediate success, with the team achieving a 10-0 record in 1957.
Frank Kush was promoted to head coach after Devine's departure, a position he held for 22 years. Kush was renowned for his physically demanding coaching style. He amassed a remarkable record of 176-54-1, experiencing only one losing season. In his first 11 years, Kush's teams captured two conference titles and finished as runner-up five times.
Despite initial acceptance of the head coach position at the University of Pittsburgh on January 4, 1969, Kush returned to Arizona State just five days later. This decision marked the beginning of a golden era, with five consecutive Western Athletic Conference championships and a dominant 50-6 record from 1969 to 1973. The Sun Devils triumphed in the 1970 Peach Bowl and the first three editions of the Fiesta Bowl.
The 1975 season was a highlight, with the team achieving a perfect 12-0 record and a thrilling 17-14 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Fiesta Bowl. In that game, Kush's son, Danny, kicked three field goals, including the game-winner.
However, Kush's tenure was not without controversy. In September 1979, former Sun Devil punter Kevin Rutledge filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging mental and physical harassment. The most serious accusation was that Kush had punched Rutledge in the mouth after a bad punt in a game against Washington. On October 13, 1979, Kush was fired for interfering with the school's investigation into Rutledge's allegations.
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Despite the controversy, Kush's legacy remains significant. He coached numerous players who went on to successful NFL careers. Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium is named in his honor.
Post-Kush Era: Navigating Change and Challenges
Following Kush's departure, Darryl Rogers took over as head coach, leading the Sun Devils to a 37-18-1 record in five seasons. The 1982 season was a standout, culminating in a Fiesta Bowl win and a No. 6 ranking in the nation.
John Cooper arrived in 1985, leading the team to three consecutive bowl games, including the 1987 Rose Bowl. However, he struggled against arch-rival Arizona, with a 0-2-1 record.
Bruce Snyder became ASU's head coach in 1992. His tenure was marked by 58 wins, four bowl game appearances, and a Pac-10 Coach of the Year award in 1996. The 1996 team finished with an 11-1 record and captured the Pacific-10 championship, coming within 19 seconds of a victory over Ohio State in the 1997 Rose Bowl.
Dirk Koetter replaced Snyder in 2001, compiling a 40-34 record and four Bowl appearances in six years. The Sun Devils were known for their vertical passing attack under Koetter.
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Dennis Erickson, a seasoned coaching veteran, took over in 2007. He led the Sun Devils to a 10-2 record in his first season, earning Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors. However, his later seasons were less successful.
The Todd Graham Era: A Rollercoaster Ride
Todd Graham's tenure began in 2012 and was marked by both success and disappointment. In his first season, the Sun Devils went 8-5. In 2013, Graham led ASU to the Pac-12 South title and was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year. The team achieved another 10-win season in 2014. However, the program experienced a decline in the following years, leading to Graham's departure after the 2017 season.
The Herm Edwards Experiment: A New Approach
In December 2017, Herm Edwards, a longtime NFL coach and ESPN analyst, was announced as the next head coach of the Sun Devils. Edwards brought a new approach to the program, emphasizing a professional-style environment.
Edwards' tenure saw some promising moments, including victories over ranked teams. However, the program was also plagued by inconsistency and, ultimately, NCAA violations. In June 2021, allegations of recruiting violations surfaced, leading to the departure of several assistant coaches. Despite the allegations, Edwards led the Sun Devils to an 8-5 record in 2021.
On April 19, 2024, Arizona State and Edwards received four years of probation, an undisclosed fine, 8 vacated wins, a reduced number of scholarships and recruiting restrictions, as well as an accepted self-imposed punishment of a 2024 bowl ban due to the NCAA violations.
Kenny Dillingham Era: A Promising Future
Kenny Dillingham took over as head coach and in the the 2024 season, he led ASU to a 5-1 start with an upset win against No. 16 Utah. In week 13, Dillingham led the Sun Devils to a 24-14 upset victory over No. 20 Kansas State. After the victory, the Sun Devils were ranked No. 21, their first time being ranked since 2019. In week 14, Dillingham and three touchdowns from running back Cam Skattebo led the Sun Devils to a 28-23 win over No. 20 BYU and brought the Sun Devils to the No. 16 rank. After beating rival Arizona 49-7 in their yearly matchup, ASU clinched an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game, where they defeated Iowa State, 45-19. They were seeded 4th in the College Football Playoff, receiving a first round bye. ASU ultimately played in the Peach Bowl against the University of Texas on January 1, 2025.
Memorable Games and Achievements
Throughout its history, Arizona State has been involved in numerous memorable games and achieved significant milestones:
- 1970 Peach Bowl: An undefeated season culminated in a 48-26 victory over North Carolina.
- 1975 Fiesta Bowl: A thrilling 17-14 win over No. 6 Nebraska capped off another undefeated season.
- 1987 Rose Bowl: A 22-15 victory over Michigan.
- 1997 Rose Bowl: A narrow 20-17 loss to Ohio State.
The Sun Devils have also had numerous victories over ranked opponents at Sun Devil Stadium/Frank Kush Field, including wins over No. 1 Nebraska, No. 2 USC, and No. 5 Washington.
A Proud Tradition
The Arizona State Sun Devils football program has a long and storied history. From its early days as a small school team to its current status as a member of the Big 12 Conference, the Sun Devils have consistently strived for excellence. With a dedicated fan base and a commitment to success, the future looks bright for Arizona State football.
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