After leading the Sun Devils to a victory in the annual Territorial Cup against the University of Arizona, Todd Graham was dismissed as the head coach of Arizona State. Sunday morning, Arizona State Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson announced in a press conference that the University decided to look for a new coach. Herm Edwards was announced as the new football coach that Monday.
The decision that Anderson made to hire a new head coach was made in an attempt to change the dynamic of the football team. It’s a vision he has for the entire athletics department. Anderson believes that as new head coach, Edwards will be able to lead ASU football to the top three in the PAC-12 and a spot in the top 15 nationally every year.
Still, Anderson confirmed that Graham will still coach the Sun Devils in the Sun Bowl later today. But that would conclude Graham’s journey with the football team.
Graham started his career with the Sun Devils as head coach in November 2011, following a short stint at the helm of the Pittsburgh Panthers the year prior. During Graham’s first year with the Sun Devils, he led the team to an 8-5 record, which was the first winning season for the Sun Devils since 2007. He later led the team to a division title in 2013, securing that title with a victory over PAC 12 South rival UCLA. Graham’s first three seasons made him stand out as a coach with back to back winning seasons in that division champion year and the following year, 2014.
He was involved in everything that had to do with ASU football. In 2015 when the first phase started in the renovation of the football stadium, Graham was an integral part in adding small details to the stadium that would be ideal for the team and the players.
He focused on improving the team by reminding it of the legacy of Pat Tillman. This led him to begin a new tradition this season. Before every home game, the athletes run onto the field and slap the statue of Pat Tillman in the back as a reminder to the team to play with integrity and passion.
Graham’s firing took many athletes and fans by surprise, and caused outrage amongst others in the fanbase who know how much he did for the program. He invested many games with the athletes and the last game, taking place in El Paso, is a game that no Sun Devil fan should miss out on. Todd Graham built the Arizona State football program into one of integrity and consistent success, and Arizona State hopes it is a legacy that will continue to be a large part of the program.