The search for the ASU football team’s next head coach is now underway.
Dennis Erickson was relieved of his duties after five seasons at the helm on Monday, thus signaling the end of an era in Tempe.
With Erickson’s dismissal, the quest for the football program’s new leader is now beginning. His successor will be ASU’s third coach since 2001.
Vice President for University Athletics Lisa Love is confident in the school’s ability to lure an influential head coach to Tempe.
“Arizona State can attract a powerful head coach,” Love said. “Our announcement is today and the interest in Arizona State is significant.”
ASU is not the only institution that is in the hunt for a head coach. UCLA, Illinois, Kansas and North Carolina have all experienced turnover atop their programs.
Additional schools could be added to the market for a new head coach in the coming weeks.
“I’m certainly aware of competition that goes with the line of work, but aggressive is more the word I’d choose,” Love said. “We will be aggressive.”
Love intends to be the leader in the Sun Devils’ searching process, but will utilize several internal sources to aid in the decision-making. University President Michael Crow is expected to be involved, and Love is intent on briefing him routinely.
“He’s always involved,” Love said. “He’s involved in every aspect of the university and that benefits Arizona State. That is one talented, bright university president and bringing that intellect and resource into play where he poses analytical questions positions you well relative to thinking.”
As of right now, ASU is not employing a search firm to participate in the process.
With the exploration for a new coach ongoing, Love has already identified a plethora of qualities and characteristics that she sees necessary in a new leader.
She stressed the importance of fundamental football including sound blocking and tackling. But it’s not all about the X’s and O’s or the ins and outs of football. Love’s ideal candidate must value the Sun Devils’ academic success while positively impacting the players both on and off the gridiron.
“Developing young men is charge one and caring about their wherewithal both as a football player and as a student at Arizona State,” Love said. “We have had fantastic success academically. I would expect that to continue. That’s not something a new person has to create.”
Additionally, Love hopes that the new coach is a prominent figure and ambassador to the University throughout the local communities. Whether it’s building strong relationships with donors, being involved with local high schools or having a strong presence in the state, she’d like for the new coach to be prevalent in the surrounding areas.
When it comes to their coaching resumes, Love won’t limit her search to current head coaches. Candidates who are coordinators will also be considered.
“Head coaching experience is obviously beneficial to sit in front of the media cameras and be used to calling the shots not as a coordinator but as the head coach,” Love said. “That’s helpful, that goes without saying, but that does not rule out a significant list of very talented D and O coordinators who are primed and ready to make that jump.”
Love adamantly believes that ASU boasts a variety of attractive features to potential candidates. She credited the passionate student fan base, blackout events, a vibrant stadium and ASU’s position within the Pac-12 conference. The Verde Dickey Dome also allows the Sun Devils to practice in an air-conditioned facility during Arizona’s warm summer months.
“It’s beautiful here,” Love said. “We’re in the chamber of commerce time of year right now. It’s a gorgeous place to work and live.”
This marks Love’s second football coaching hire as she selected Erickson prior to the 2007 campaign. While the team’s talent underperformed in 2011, Love believes the Sun Devils are on the verge of taking the next step.
That next step begins with the selection of a new football coach, and there is no set timetable for when ASU’s next coach will be in place.
“No particular timetable,” Love said. “We will be aggressive. We’re aware of the market, and have no reason to go slow. But we have every reason to be deliberate and thorough.”
Reach the reporter at greg.dillard@asu.edu
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