From 3-9 to 9-2, it has been a drastic change for ASU football and with the success of this stature comes rewards.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!To fend off potential schools poaching offensive and defensive coordinators Marcus Arroyo and Brian Ward, Arizona State signed both to three-year contract extensions, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“Sources: Arizona State has signed OC Marcus Arroyo and DC Brian Ward to new three-year contracts, which average more than a $1 million per year,” Thamel said on X/Twitter. “The move shows significant commitment by ASU administration to keep the momentum going from this 8-2 (now 9-2) season.”
Following the Sun Devils’ fourth straight win with a 28-23 victory over BYU, Dillingham kept it simple with how he felt about the report coming out that his coordinators were extended.
“It shows the direction of the program with how there’s going to be consistency here,” Dillingham said after ASU beat BYU 28-23 on Saturday.
Flipping Arizona State’s offense from one of the worst units in the country last year to a force to be reckoned with every single game day, Arroyo has changed the trajectory in such a short amount of time. He has helped Sam Leavitt become a star quarterback who utilizes his dual-threat capability to the best of his ability, as Leavitt has completed 163-of-265 passes for 2,153 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Both wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and running back Cam Skattebo have shined under Arroyo since he took the job as well, with both players being nominated for multiple Big 12 honors based on previous performances. In the running for the Heisman Trophy, Skattebo has been one of the best running backs in the country, amassing 1,221 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns from 226 carries and 34 receptions. Transferring from Colorado to ASU, Tyson is having a breakout season as he has accumulated 67 catches for 958 yards and nine touchdowns.
Ward has been a revelation for Dillingham’s defense, seeing it ranked No. 30 in the nation before Saturday’s game. ASU has collected 13 interceptions, forced three fumbles and is 9-2 while having defended the best running backs the Big 12 has to offer like Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State), DJ Giddens (Kansas State), Devin Neal (Kansas), Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech) and R.J. Harvey (UCF).
Keeping both Arroyo and Ward will hopefully help players who may be open to transferring reconsider and stay with the program. With the world of college sports and NIL, some may still leave but others will continue to build on the foundation that they have made this season going forward.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
