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Arizona State Sun Devils football

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Arizona State Sun Devils football
2024 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
First season1897; 127 years ago
Athletic directorGraham Rossini
Head coachKenny Dillingham
2nd season, 7–10 (.412)
StadiumMountain America Stadium
(capacity: 53,599)
Field surfaceBermuda Grass
LocationTempe, Arizona
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceBig 12
Past conferencesIndependent (1897–1930)
Border (1931–1961)
WAC (1962–1977)
Pac-12 (1978–2023)
All-time record639–424–24 (.599)
Bowl record15–17–1 (.470)
Unclaimed national titles2 (1970, 1975)
Conference titles17
Division titles1 Pac-12 South (2013)
RivalriesArizona (rivalry)
Consensus All-Americans17
Current uniform
ColorsMaroon and gold[1]
   
Fight song"Maroon & Gold"
MascotSparky
Marching bandArizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band
OutfitterAdidas
WebsiteTheSunDevils.com

The Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University (ASU) in the sport of American college football. The Sun Devils team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Big 12 Conference. ASU has fielded a football team since 1897. The Sun Devils are led by head coach Kenny Dillingham and play their home games at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils have won seventeen conference titles.[2]

A number of successful and professional football players once played for ASU. The school has 3 unanimous All-Americans and 16 consensus selections.[3] Among the most lauded players the school has produced are Pat Tillman, Terrell Suggs, Jake Plummer, Mike Haynes, Darren Woodson, Charley Taylor, and John Henry Johnson.

In addition to its players, ASU's football program has had several notable head coaches, including Hall of Famers Dan Devine and John Cooper and national champion Dennis Erickson. The all-time school wins leader is Hall of Fame coach Frank Kush, for whom Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium is named. Kush also consistently led the Sun Devils to victory against the Arizona Wildcats, ASU's traditional rival, losing to the Wildcats only twice between 1963 and 1979.[4]

History

[edit]
See also: List of Arizona State Sun Devils football seasons, List of Arizona State Sun Devils bowl games, and List of Pac-12 Conference football standings

Early history (1896–1957)

[edit]
Hall of Fame RB John Henry Johnson played at ASU in the early 1950s

Frederick M. Irish served as the first head football coach at the Territorial Normal School, renamed Tempe Normal School in 1903 and now known as Arizona State University, coaching from 1896 to 1906 and compiling a record of 12–8. Territorial Normal did not field a football team in 1897, 1898, or 1901. George Schaeffer served as the head football coach at Tempe Normal School from 1914 to 1916, compiling a record of 7–8. Aaron McCreary oversaw the school's football program from 1923 to 1929. During this time, the school changed its nickname from the Owls to the Bulldogs and the name of the school was changed to Arizona State University.[5] McCreary left ASU with a 25–17–4 record.[6] Ted Shipkey led the Arizona State football program from 1930 to 1932, compiling a record of 13–10–2.[7][8] Shipkey was replaced by Rudy Lavik, who led Arizona State to a less impressive 13–26–3 mark in his five seasons.[9] Dixie Howell served as ASU's head coach from 1938 to 1941, compiling a record of 23–15–4.[10] In 1947, Ed Doherty became head coach at Arizona State, where he compiled a 25–17 record from 1947 to 1950. He left ASU five days after defeating rival Arizona, 47–13, because he felt that he didn't have enough job security.[11]

Clyde Smith took over the reins of the Arizona State football program in 1952, and under his leadership, they compiled a record of 15–13–1.[12] Smith resigned following the 1954 season.[13] On February 5, 1955, Michigan State assistant coach Dan Devine accepted the head coaching position at Arizona State.[14] Joining him as an assistant was Frank Kush, who would have even greater success at the school after Devine's departure. During his three years, Devine compiled a record of 27–3–1 (.887), including a spotless 10–0 mark during his final campaign.[15] In that last season, Devine's team led the nation in total offense and scoring, averaging just under 40 points per game in the latter category.[14] Devine's success at Arizona State resulted in an offer from Missouri, which he accepted on December 18, 1957.[16]

Frank Kush era (1958–1979)

[edit]
Hall of Fame DT Curley Culp played at ASU from 1965 to 1967
Hall of Fame WR Charley Taylor played at ASU in the early 1960s

Frank Kush was promoted to head coach, a position he would hold for 22 years. During his time, Kush was known for being one of the most physically demanding coaches. His daily football practices in the heat of the Arizona desert are still the stuff of legend.

Kush compiled a record of 176–54–1, with only one losing season. In his first 11 years, he captured two conference titles and finished runner-up 5 times. That success led to him accepting head coach at the University of Pittsburgh on January 4, 1969. However, just 5 days later, Kush had a change of heart and returned to Arizona State.[17] Kush's return would begin a memorable era with 5 consecutive Western Athletic Conference championships as the team won 50 of 56 games from 1969 to 1973. Arizona State won the 1970 Peach Bowl and the first three editions of the Fiesta Bowl. In 1974, the team dropped to 7–4, but bounced back the following year 12–0, capping the year with a thrilling 17–14 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Fiesta Bowl, a game in which Kush's son, Danny, kicked three field goals, including the winner. 1976 saw the team fall to 4–7, but another comeback resulted the next year with a 9–3 mark. In that year's Fiesta Bowl, the Sun Devils lost a bowl game for the only time under Kush's leadership, with a 42–30 defeat to Penn State. In 1978, Kush's team once again finished 9–3, this time defeating Rutgers in the Garden State Bowl.

In September 1979 former Sun Devil punter Kevin Rutledge filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against the school, accusing Kush and his staff of mental and physical harassment that forced him to transfer. The most dramatic charge was that Kush had punched Rutledge in the mouth, after a bad punt in the October 28, 1978, game against the Washington Huskies. During the next few weeks, overzealous fans turned things ugly when the insurance office of Rutledge's father suffered a fire and the family's attorney received death threats.[18] On October 13, 1979, Kush was fired for interfering with the school's investigation into Rutledge's allegations.[19] Athletic director Fred Miller cited Kush's alleged attempts to pressure players and coaches into keeping quiet. The decision came just three hours before the team's home game against Washington. Kush was allowed to coach the game, with the Sun Devils pulling off an emotional 12–7 upset of the sixth-ranked Huskies, fueled by the angry crowd incensed by the decision. After the game, Kush was carried off the field by his team.[18] The win gave him a 3–2 record on the season, but all three victories were forfeited when it was determined Arizona State had used ineligible players.

Future NFL players who played under Kush include Charley Taylor, Curley Culp, Danny White, Benny Malone, Mike Haynes, and John Jefferson and Steve Holden. Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson played a year of football for Kush on a scholarship, before switching to baseball.[20]

Darryl Rogers era (1980–1984)

[edit]

Darryl Rogers replaced Kush and led the Sun Devils to a 37–18–1 record in five seasons.[21] The best season of the Rogers era came in 1982, a 10–2 campaign that resulted in a Fiesta Bowl win and a No. 6 ranking in the final AP and Coaches' polls.[22] Rogers accepted an offer to serve as head coach of the NFL's Detroit Lions and left ASU after the 1984 season.[23]

John Cooper era (1985–1987)

[edit]

John Cooper left his post as Tulsa head coach and became the head coach at Arizona State in 1985. His teams played in three consecutive bowl games, including the 1987 Rose Bowl.[24] Notably, he was just 0–2–1 against arch-rival Arizona. He accepted the job as head coach at Ohio State on December 31, 1987.[24] The 1986 team won the school's first Pacific-10 Championship and went on to defeat the Michigan Wolverines in the 1987 Rose Bowl.[24]

Larry Marmie era (1988–1991)

[edit]

ASU promoted Larry Marmie from defensive coordinator to head coach to replace Cooper.[25] Marmie's tenure was marked by mediocrity and disappointment, with a 6–5 mark in 1988,[26] a 6–4–1 record in 1989,[27] a 4–7 campaign in 1990,[28] and a 6–5 season in 1991.[29] School administrators fired Marmie following the 1991 season, amidst fan impatience.[30]

Bruce Snyder era (1992–2000)

[edit]

Bruce Snyder left California to become ASU's head coach in 1992.[31] Snyder's 58 wins and nine-year tenure as head coach at Arizona State each rank second in school history to marks set by Frank Kush. Snyder led ASU to four bowl games including a win in the 1997 Sun Bowl.[31] More than 40 ASU players coached by Snyder were selected in the National Football League Draft, including seven in the first round, and more than 40 others signed free agent contracts in the National Football League. In 1996, Snyder led the Sun Devils to one of the finest seasons in school history and was named Pacific-10 Coach of the Year.[31] The 1996 squad finished with an 11–1 record and captured the Pacific-10 championship. The Sun Devils stunned the top-ranked and two-time defending national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers in the season's second game. Arizona State reeled off the third undefeated regular season in school history en route 1997 Rose Bowl, where they came within 19 seconds of a victory over Ohio State. Had they won, the Sun Devils would have likely won at least a share of the national championship, as they would have been the only undefeated major-conference team in the nation. For his efforts that season, Snyder won a number of national coaching awards, including the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award and the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award.[31] Snyder stepped down as ASU head coach following the 2000 season.[31]

Dirk Koetter era (2001–2006)

[edit]

Boise State head coach Dirk Koetter was hired to replace Snyder in 2001.[32] At Arizona State, Koetter compiled a 40–34 record and four Bowl appearances in six years.[33] Under Koetter the Sun Devils were known for a vertical passing attack. On November 26, 2006, Koetter was terminated as the head football coach.[34] His final game was the 2006 Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, a 41–24 loss.

Dennis Erickson era (2007–2011)

[edit]
Coach Erickson
ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter hands off to tailback Dimitri Nance in the 2008 game at California

Seasoned coaching veteran Dennis Erickson left Idaho for the opportunity to lead his fourth BCS program. Athletic director Lisa Love hired him on December 9 to replace the recently fired Dirk Koetter. Arizona State was Erickson's third head coaching stint in the Pacific-10, after Washington State and Oregon State. In addition to Idaho, Erickson also had college head coaching tenures at Wyoming and Miami, as well as in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

Arizona State paid $2.8 million to Koetter and a $150,000 buyout to Idaho to complete the hiring of Erickson to a five-year contract. He immediately paid dividends for ASU, leading the Sun Devils to a 10–2 regular season record in 2007, a share of the Pacific-10 title, and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. Erickson was named the 2007 Pacific-10 Coach of the Year, becoming the first to ever win the award at three different Pacific-10 schools. He also coached another major award winner; placekicker Thomas Weber was named the Lou Groza Award winner. Erickson worked for the relatively low salary of $500,000 from ASU in his first season, with another $2 million paid by the 49ers for the last year of his NFL contract. The remaining four years of the original ASU contract paid $1.275 million per year.[35] In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona State through June 2012.[36] Erickson's early success at ASU was not sustained, as the Sun Devils failed to have another winning season and lost three of four Territorial Cup rivalry games against Arizona. In his final four seasons, Erickson was 21–28 overall and 14–22 in conference. After opening the 2011 season with a promising 6–2 record, Arizona State suffered four straight Pac-12 defeats in November to end the regular season, and Erickson was fired on November 28.[37] He was allowed to coach in their bowl game on December 22, but ASU was soundly beaten 56–24 by Boise State in the Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas for their fifth consecutive loss.

Todd Graham era (2012–2017)

[edit]

Todd Graham was announced as Arizona State University's head coach on December 14, 2011.[38] Graham came to ASU after only one season at Pittsburgh, informing his players and assistant coaches of his decision to leave Pitt for ASU via text message.[39] Graham also previously served as head coach at Rice for one season and Tulsa for four seasons.

In his first season at Arizona State, the Sun Devils went 8–5 securing their first winning season since 2007. With a win in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen, the 2012 Sun Devils won the final three games of the season for the first time since 1978.[40] ESPN's Pac-12 Blog writer Ted Miller called Todd Graham's first season at Arizona State an "unquestioned success."[41] In 2013, Graham continued to build positive momentum and led ASU the Pac-12 South title after defeating UCLA and rival Arizona. ASU finished the season 10–4 and ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the Coach's Poll.[42] For his efforts in leading ASU to a Pac-12 South championship, Graham received the 2013 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Award. In 2014, ASU finished with yet another 10 win season by going 10–3 and ranking No. 12 in the final AP Poll and No. 14 in the final Coach's Poll. The season was capped off with Graham leading the Sun Devils to victory over Duke University in the Sun Bowl.[43] The 2015 season saw a big drop off for the program as the Sun Devils finished a disappointing 6–7 with a 42–43 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Cactus Bowl. The trend continued into the next two seasons. The Sun Devils finished 2016 on a 6-game losing streak which culminated in a 5–7 record. 2017 would be Graham's final season. The team improved only slightly, finishing 7–6 with a Sun Bowl loss to North Carolina State, 31–52. Graham and Arizona State agreed to part ways on November 26, 2017, following a 7–5 regular season.[44][45]

Herm Edwards era (2018–2022)

[edit]
WR Brandon Aiyuk in 2019

On December 3, 2017, longtime NFL coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards was announced as the next head coach of the Sun Devils.[46] Edwards kicked off the 2018 season with a 2–0 record, including a marquee win over then #15 Michigan State. Despite the promising start, the Devils dropped four of their next five games, sitting with a 1–3 conference record. Arizona State surged, winning their next three, but fell just short to Oregon and a Pac-12 South title. The Territorial Cup was played at Arizona Stadium on Saturday, November 24. Arizona led the Sun Devils by 19 points entering the fourth quarter, but a wild comeback by ASU, capped off by what would've been a game winning field goal by Arizona, resulted in the cup staying in Tempe. The Sun Devils then faced Fresno State In the Las Vegas Bowl, losing 31–20 and completing the season with a 7–6(5–4) record. Herm Edwards started his second season off 3–0, once again beating #18 Michigan State, this time on the road. ASU dropped their conference opener against Colorado, but bounced back with two straight wins, including a victory over #15 Cal to improve to 2–1 in conference play before dropping four consecutive games, officially disqualifying them from the Pac-12 South title. Arizona State shocked #6 Oregon at home, winning 31–28 in front of a packed stadium. The Sun Devils capped off the season with a win over rival Arizona, 24–14, and a Sun Bowl victory over Florida State, 20–14, finishing with a record of 8–5(4–5). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Pac-12 teams had only six games scheduled. Arizona State dropped their first game to #20 USC 28–27 in heartbreaking fashion, and their following two contests were cancelled due to COVID complications within the Arizona State program. The Sun Devils returned from their nearly month long hiatus with a game versus UCLA, which they lost at home 25–18. ASU traveled to take on Arizona in Tucson for the 94th installment of the Territorial Cup. The Sun Devils slaughtered the Wildcats, 70–7, retaining the Cup for the third straight year. In their fourth and final game of the season, Arizona State capped off the season with a 46–33 win over Oregon State to finish the season 2–2 (2–2). In June 2021, rumors began circulating of several NCAA violations committed by Herm Edwards and the Arizona State staff, which were confirmed by several articles, including one published on June 23 by Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports. As a result of the allegations, tight ends coach Adam Breneman, defensive backs coach Christian Hawkins, and wide receivers coach Prentice Gill were placed and remain on administrative leave.[47][48] Despite the numerous allegations of violations and rumors that the entire staff may be fired after the season, Herm Edwards and his Sun Devils finished 8–5 overall and 6–3 in Pac-12 play. The season concluded with a 20–13 loss to Wisconsin in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. During the 2021-2022 offseason, multiple coaches including Zak Hill and Antonio Pierce resigned.[49] 17 players including the starting quarterback Jayden Daniels and All-American linebacker Eric Gentry, entered the transfer portal as a result of the investigation and NIL.[50] On September 18, 2022, Arizona State fired Edwards the day following a 30–21 loss to Eastern Michigan.[51]

On April 19, 2024, Arizona State and Edwards received four years of probation, an undisclosed fine, 8 vacated wins in which ineligible players competed, a reduced number of scholarships and recruiting restrictions, as well as an accepted self-imposed punishment of a 2024 bowl ban. The violations occurred during the 2020 dead period during the COVID-19 pandemic.[52] After the vacated wins, Edwards finished with a record of 18–20 at Arizona State.

Kenny Dillingham era (since 2023)

[edit]

On November 27, 2022, Kenny Dillingham, previously the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Oregon, was named as Arizona State's head coach.[53] His first season with the team resulted in a 3–9 finish,[54] with a 15–7 loss to the eventual National Champion runners-up Washington Huskies.[55]

Kenny had led ASU in the 2024-25 season to a 5-1 start with an upset win against No. 16 Ranked Utah.

Conference affiliations

[edit]

Championships

[edit]

Conference championships

[edit]

Arizona State has won 17 conference championships, seven in the Border Conference, seven in the Western Athletic Conference, and three in the Pac-12 Conference.

Year Coach Conference Record Conference record
1931 Ted Shipkey Border 6–2 3–1
1939 Dixie Howell Border 8–2–1 4–0
1940 Dixie Howell Border 7–2–2 3–0–1
1952 Clyde B. Smith Border 6–3 4–0
1957 Dan Devine Border 10–0 4–0
1959 Frank Kush Border 10–1 5–0
1961 Frank Kush Border 7–3 3–0
1969 Frank Kush WAC 8–2 6–1
1970 Frank Kush WAC 11–0 7–0
1971 Frank Kush WAC 11–1 7–0
1972 Frank Kush WAC 10–2 5–1
1973† Frank Kush WAC 11–1 6–1
1975 Frank Kush WAC 12–0 7–0
1977† Frank Kush WAC 9–3 6–1
1986 John Cooper Pacific-10 10–1–1 5–1–1
1996 Bruce Snyder Pacific-10 11–1 8–0
2007† Dennis Erickson Pacific-10 10–3 7–2

† Co-champions

Division championships

[edit]

Arizona State lost the 2013 Pac-12 South division championship.

Year Division Coach Opponent CG result
2013 Pac-12 South Todd Graham Stanford L 14–38

Unclaimed National Championships

[edit]

In 1970, ASU finished their season undefeated after defeating North Carolina 48-26 in the Peach Bowl. Poling System (1935–1984)[56] recognized ASU as the No. 1 team in their polling, securing ASU's first National Championship voted by a major poll. The AP and Coaches Polls did not recognize ASU as the National Champions that year, but respectfully ranking ASU 8th & 6th in the nation.

In 1975, ASU finished an undefeated season, by beating No. 6 Nebraska 17-14 in the Fiesta Bowl. ASU was ranked No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches Final Polls. (ASU received 5 of the 63 votes from the AP poll for the No. 1 ranking). Despite the AP and Coaches Polls not picking ASU as No.1, ASU was recognized as the No. 1 team by multiple major selection polls including Sporting News, and [57] The National Championship Foundation.

ASU has not officially recognized both National Championships but the NCAA does in their official record book. (Page 113 & 114 of 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records) [58] Schools are able to officially claim non AP/Coaches Poll finishes due to the NCAA not having a sanctioned NCAA championship in the Division I FBS. (On several occasions, teams have claimed non AP/Coaches finishes ; Most recently the 2017 UCF Knights team that finished 13-0 and was ranked No.1 by Colley Matrix)

Season Conference Coach Selector Overall record Conference record Bowl Final AP Final Coaches
1970 WAC Frank Kush Poling System 11–0 7–0 W Peach Bowl No. 6 No. 8
1975 WAC Frank Kush Sporting News/ National Championship Foundation 12–0 8–0 W Fiesta Bowl No. 2 No. 2

Bowl games

[edit]
Arizona State at the Rose Bowl

Arizona State has played in 33 bowl games in its history. The Sun Devils have a bowl record of 15–17–1.[59]

Date Coach Bowl Opponent Result
January 1, 1940 Dixie Howell Sun Bowl Catholic T 0–0
January 2, 1941 Dixie Howel Sun Bowl Western Reserve L 13–26
January 2, 1950 Ed Doherty Salad Bowl Xavier L 21–33
January 1, 1951 Ed Doherty Salad Bowl Miami (OH) L 21–34
December 30, 1970 Frank Kush Peach Bowl North Carolina W 48–26
December 27, 1971 Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Florida State W 45–38
December 23, 1972 Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Missouri W 49–35
December 21, 1973 Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Pittsburgh W 28–7
December 26, 1975 Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Nebraska W 17–14
December 25, 1977 Frank Kush Fiesta Bowl Penn State L 30–42
December 16, 1978 Frank Kush Garden State Bowl Rutgers W 34–18
January 1, 1983 Darryl Rogers Fiesta Bowl Oklahoma W 32–21
December 22, 1985 John Cooper Holiday Bowl Arkansas L 17–18
January 1, 1987 John Cooper Rose Bowl Michigan W 22–15
December 30, 1987 John Cooper Freedom Bowl Air Force W 33–28
January 1, 1997 Bruce Snyder Rose Bowl Ohio State L 17–20
December 31, 1997 Bruce Snyder Sun Bowl Iowa W 17–7
December 25, 1999 Bruce Snyder Aloha Bowl Wake Forest L 3–23
December 25, 2000 Bruce Snyder Aloha Bowl Boston College L 17–31
December 27, 2002 Dirk Koetter Holiday Bowl Kansas State L 27–34
December 31, 2004 Dirk Koetter Sun Bowl Purdue W 27–23
December 27, 2005 Dirk Koetter Insight Bowl Rutgers W 45–40
December 24, 2006 Dirk Koetter Hawaiʻi Bowl Hawaiʻi L 24–41
December 27, 2007 Dennis Erickson Holiday Bowl Texas L 34–52
December 22, 2011 Dennis Erickson Maaco Bowl Las Vegas Boise State L 24–56
December 29, 2012 Todd Graham Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Navy W 62–28
December 30, 2013 Todd Graham Holiday Bowl Texas Tech L 23–37
December 27, 2014 Todd Graham Sun Bowl Duke W 36–31
January 2, 2016 Todd Graham Cactus Bowl West Virginia L 42–43
December 29, 2017 Todd Graham Sun Bowl NC State L 31–52
December 15, 2018 Herm Edwards Las Vegas Bowl Fresno State L 20–31
December 31, 2019 Herm Edwards Sun Bowl Florida State W 20–14
December 30, 2021 Herm Edwards Las Vegas Bowl Wisconsin L 13–20 (vacated appearance)

Head coaches

[edit]
Coach Cooper
Coach Graham
Coach Herm Edwards
Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1897–1906 Frederick M. Irish 8 12–8 .600
1914–1916 George Schaeffer 3 7–8 .467
1919 George E. Cooper 1 0–2 .000
1922 Ernest C. Wills 1 0–3–1 .125
1923–1929 Aaron McCreary 7 25–17–4 .587
1930–1932 Ted Shipkey 3 12–10–2 .542
1933–1937 Rudy Lavik 5 13–26–3 .345
1938–1941 Dixie Howell 4 23–15–4 .595
1942 Hilman Walker 1 2–8 .200
1946 Steve Coutchie 1 2–7–2 .273
1947–1950 Ed Doherty 4 25–17 .595
1951 Larry Siemering 1 6–3–1 .650
1952–1954 Clyde Smith 3 15–13–1 .534
1955–1957 Dan Devine 3 27–3–1 .887
1958–1979 Frank Kush 22 176–54–1 .764
1979 (interim) Bob Owens 1 3–4 .429
1980–1984 Darryl Rogers 5 37–18–1 .670
1985–1987 John Cooper 3 25–9–2 .722
1988–1991 Larry Marmie 4 22–21–1 .511
1992–2000 Bruce Snyder 9 58–47 .552
2001–2006 Dirk Koetter 6 40–34 .541
2007–2011 Dennis Erickson 5 31–31 .500
2012–2017 Todd Graham 6 46–32 .590
2018–2022 Herm Edwards † 5 18–20† .474
2022 (interim) Shaun Aguano † 1 1–4† .200
2023–present Kenny Dillingham 1 8-10 .444

[60]

† Arizona State vacated 8 wins total due to NCAA violations from the 2020 season.[61]

Home stadiums

[edit]
Mountain America Stadium
Main article: Mountain America Stadium

The Sun Devils play their home games at Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Mountain America Stadium, formally known as Sun Devil Stadium, was constructed in 1958 and originally held a capacity of 30,000.[62]

On September 21, 1996, the playing surface was renamed Frank Kush Field after the long time ASU coach in a 19–0 upset of then top-ranked Nebraska.[62]

Prior to the construction of Mountain America Stadium, the Sun Devils played their home games at the following locations:

Culture

[edit]
ASU's traditional uniform colors are maroon and gold
  • Colors – Arizona State's traditional colors are maroon and gold.
  • Songs – The fight songs for Arizona State are "Maroon and Gold" and "Go Go Devils". After a touchdown "Maroon and Gold" is played. After a field goal "Go Go Devils" is played. For big plays, a shortened version of either song is played.
  • Mascot – Arizona State's mascot is "Sparky the Sun Devil". Sparky was adopted as ASU's mascot in 1946 following a vote was held to replace the Bulldog, the mascot at the time.
  • Devil Walk – Prior to each home game, fans and the Sun Devil Marching Band welcomes the team inside Desert Financial Arena as they head to the football stadium. At the conclusion of the event, the marching band performs a short concert.
  • Marching Band – (see Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band)
  • Stomp the Bus – The entrance video of the Sun Devils featuring a giant Sparky crushing the opposing team's bus underfoot

Arizona State fields a more-than-300-member marching band that performs at all home football games, bowl games, and the rivalry game with the University of Arizona. In addition to halftime shows and stand tunes, the Sun Devil Marching Band always play the Arizona State fight songs and the Alma Mater.

Rivalries

[edit]

Arizona

[edit]
Main article: Arizona–Arizona State football rivalry

Arizona State's longest and most intense rivalry is with the University of Arizona. The football game between the schools is nicknamed The Duel in the Desert, and the winner of the game receives the Territorial Cup. Arizona State won the first matchup in 1899 by a score of 11–2. Arizona holds the all-time series lead with a record of 51–44–1.

Since becoming a university in 1958,[63] Arizona State has the overall lead in the rivalry series with a record of 30–24–1. Since ASU and Arizona became Pac-12 Conference members in 1978, Arizona leads the series 19–15–1.

Practice facilities

[edit]

Bill Kajikawa Practice Fields

[edit]

Bill Kajikawa Practice Fields, located on Sixth Street and Rural Road, is normally where Sun Devil football team practices when weather permits.[citation needed]

Camp Tontozona

[edit]

An Arizona State University property, is a 36-acre (150,000 m2) camp just outside Payson created by former legendary coach Frank Kush was used as a bonding place for his players. Tontozona has marked the unofficial start of the Sun Devils' seasons from 1960 to 2008. Due to the knack of losing practices to rainouts, short and torn up fields leading to excessive injuries, and travel costs, the team decided to move camp back to Tempe campus with the arrival of the Devil Dome.[64] After a 4-year absence the Sun Devils returned to Camp Tontozona starting in Aug 2012.[65] The team was able to make the return after a short fund raising effort by fans and alumni brought in over $160,000.[66]

Verde Dickey Dome

[edit]

Formerly opened as Devil Dome and nicknamed,"The Bubble", $8.4 million practice facility broke ground on May 15, 2008[67] to provide a climate controlled space for the Sun Devil football team, Sun Devil Marching Band, ASU Intramurals and for other athletic department events. Before its full completion and turn over from the contractor to the university on the night of August 28, 2008, a powerful storm brought it down.[68] The Bubble was re-inflated early October and was fully repaired for use in July 2009. During the 2009 season the facility was renamed and dedicated to generous donor Dr. Verde Dickey as the Verde Dickey Center, to not only commemorate his donation for the facility but also his donations to Sun Devil Marching Band and projects such as renovation of locker rooms in Wells Fargo Arena and Mountain America Stadium, Weatherup Basketball Center, The Athletes Performance Center, John Spini Gymnastics Center, and wrestling practice facility.[69]

Retired numbers

[edit]
See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers
Arizona State Sun Devils retired numbers
No. Player Pos. Tenure Ref.
11 Danny White QB, P 1971–1973 [70]
27 Bobby Mulgado HB 1954–1957
33 Wilford White HB 1947–1950
40 Mike Haynes CB 1974–1975
42 Pat Tillman LB 1994–1997

All-Americans

[edit]

[71]

† Consensus All-Americans

‡ Unanimous All-Americans

College Football Hall of Fame Members

[edit]
Name Position Year
David Fulcher Safety 2021
Jake Plummer Quarterback 2019
Bob Breunig Linebacker 2015
Pat Tillman Linebacker 2010
Randall McDaniel Guard 2008
Ron Pritchard Linebacker 2003
Mike Hayes Cornerback 2000
Danny White Quarterback 1997
Frank Kush Head coach 1995
John Jefferson Wide receiver 1983

Pro Football Hall of Fame Members

[edit]
Name Position Pro Bowls # of Seasons Year Career History
Curley Culp DL / DT 6 14 2013 Denver Broncos (1968), Kansas City Chiefs (1968–1974), Houston Oilers (1974–1980), Detroit Lions (1980–1981)
Randall McDaniel LG 12 14 2009 Minnesota Vikings (1988–1999), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000–2001)
Mike Haynes DB / CB 9 14 1997 New England Patriots (1976–1982), Los Angeles Raiders (1983–1989)
John Henry Johnson HB/FB 4 13 1987 San Francisco 49ers (1954–1956), Detroit Lions (1957–1959), Pittsburgh Steelers (1960–1965), Houston Oilers (1966)
Charley Taylor WR / RB 8 13 1984 Washington Redskins (1964–1975, 1977)

Other notable players

[edit]

Future Big 12 opponents

[edit]

On November 1, 2023, Arizona State's Big 12 opponents from 2024 through 2027 were revealed, with their rivalry game against Arizona being a protected annual game.[72]

Future Arizona State Sun Devils Football Schedule
2025 2026 2027
vs Arizona vs Colorado vs Arizona
vs Texas Tech vs Baylor vs BYU
vs TCU vs Oklahoma State vs Utah
vs Houston vs Kansas State vs Iowa State
vs West Virginia at Arizona vs Cincinnati
at Utah at BYU at Colorado
at Colorado at Texas Tech at TCU
at Baylor at Kansas at Houston
at Iowa State at UCF at West Virginia

Future non-conference opponents

[edit]

Announced schedules as of November 19, 2023.[73]

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034
Northern Arizona Bowling Green Cal Poly Northern Arizona Northern Arizona LSU at Florida Texas at Texas Northern Arizona
at Mississippi State at Texas A&M Texas A&M at San Diego State at LSU
Texas State Hawaii at UNLV Florida San Diego State

References

[edit]
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[edit]
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