Arizona State Sun Devils football

Early history (1896–1957)

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)

Frank Kush was promoted to head coach, a position he would hold for 22 years.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 third 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 season 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. The Devils lost 39–31 in a two overtime "thriller" yet showed a level of competitiveness that captivated the nation.^[56] Tailback Cam Skattebo won Offensive MVP honors (the first player to be awarded despite losing the game in 26 years) after "rack[ing] up 284 total yards—143 rushing, 99 receiving, and 42 passing—two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown, and a two-point conversion.”^[57] The game is widely regarded as one of the greatest College Football Playoff games of all time. ^[58]

Conference championships

Arizona State has won 18 conference championships, seven in the Border Conference, seven in the Western Athletic Conference, three in the Pac-12 Conference, and one in the Big 12 Conference.

† Co-champions

Conference championship games

ASU played their first Pac-12 Conference championship game in 2013 against Stanford; losing 14–38. In 2024, they go on to win the Big 12 Conference championship 45–19 against Iowa State.

Unclaimed national championships

In 1970, ASU finished their season undefeated after defeating North Carolina 48–26 in the Peach Bowl. The Poling System (1935–1984)^[59] 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 ranked ASU eighth and sixth 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 the National Championship Foundation.^[60] ASU was one of only two teams to finish undefeated that year (Arkansas State being the other).

ASU does not officially claim either national championship. The NCAA does acknowledge many lesser known claims to football National Championships in their official record book, including the 1970 and 1975 Arizona State teams. (Page 113 & 114 of 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records) ^[61]

Arizona

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 52–46–1.

Since becoming a university in 1958,^[66] Arizona State has the overall lead in the rivalry series with a record of 38–29–1. Since ASU and Arizona became Pac-12 members in 1978, Arizona leads the series 24–23–1. And as of 2024 both compete as conference-foes in the Big 12.

Utah

Another one of the Sun Devil's conference rivals are the Utah Utes. This decade the recent match ups have added new intensity to the rivalry. In 2023, Utah routed Arizona State 55–3, marking one of the most dominant performances in series history. However, Arizona State bounced back in 2024 with a 27–12 win in Tempe, avenging the prior year's defeat and reigniting the rivalry in their new conference setting. As of the 2025 season, ASU leads the all-time series 23–13.

Bill Kajikawa Practice Fields

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

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.^[67] After a 4-year absence the Sun Devils returned to Camp Tontozona starting in Aug 2012.^[68] The team was able to make the return after a short fund raising effort by fans and alumni brought in over $160,000.^[69]

Verde Dickey Dome

Formerly opened as Devil Dome and nicknamed,"The Bubble", $8.4 million practice facility broke ground on May 15, 2008^[70] 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.^[71] 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.^[72]

Student-Athletes

• Lombardi Award

2002 - Terrell Suggs

• Ted Hendricks Award

2002 - Terrell Suggs

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy

2002 - Terrell Suggs

• Bill Willis Trophy

2002 - Terrell Suggs

• Lou Groza Award

2007 - Thomas Weber

2016 - Zane Gonzalez

Coaches

• Woody Hayes Trophy

1996 - Bruce Snyder

• AFCA Coach of the Year Award

1975 - Frank Kush

1996 - Bruce Snyder

• Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award

1975 - Frank Kush

1996 - Bruce Snyder

• The Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year

1986 - John Cooper

1996 - Bruce Snyder