Edwards shows his passion for Devils
Sumlin may be waiting on Taggart
TEMPE, Ariz. — Herm Edwards talked about trains and conductors, Catholics and Devils, told stories and cracked jokes, his timbre rising and falling for emphasis during a nearly hour-long introductory news conference.
No doubt, the man can win over a room.
Arizona State is hoping he can win a few games, too.
Edwards was introduced as the Sun Devils coach Monday, ushering in a new, unexpected era for the program with an impassioned news conference inside Sun Devil Stadium.
“I’m on the train. I’m on the train and I’m going to ride this train until it stops — it’s not going to stop,” Edwards said. “We’re going. We’re going with you. And if you want to board a little bit later, we’ve got a seat for you. Might not be comfortable, but you’ll have a seat.”
Arizona State wanted to move quickly following the firing of Todd Graham after six seasons.
When word came out this week that it would be Edwards, the former NFL coach and ESPN analyst, the reactions were quick and wide-ranging.
Those in support of Edwards’ hiring praised his passion, his ability to connect with recruits and their families, many repeating the key line from his famous rant as coach of the New York Jets: “You play to win the game!”
Those against Arizona State’s decision pointed to the long gap in Edwards’ coaching resume and his limited experience coaching at the college level.
There also were calls of cronyism for Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson, a former agent, hiring one of his former clients. Social media filled with GIFs and memes of trash bin fires and planes crashing.
The criticism continued Sunday night when Arizona State, while announcing Edwards’ hiring, also said it is restructuring its football program to be run more like an NFL team.
None of it, the positive nor the negative, registered with the Sun Devils. They had their man, their plan and the only focus is turning Arizona State into a national power.
“ASU football is nobody’s rebuild,” Anderson said. “We need to take the next step and I believe Herman Edwards can take us there.”
HEISMAN: Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville are Heisman finalists for the second straight year and will be joined in New York for the presentation ceremony by Stanford running back Bryce Love.
The award for most outstanding college football player will be given out Saturday night.
Jackson is trying to become the second player to win two Heismans, joining former Ohio State star Archie Griffin, but Mayfield will come to Manhattan as the clear front-runner.
UCF-FSU: Kevin Sumlin is no longer the leading candidate for the UCF head coaching job, a source confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel.
A separate source said Sumlin was holding out to learn whether the Oregon would open should Ducks coach Willie Taggart accept the vacant Florida State job.
FSU officials were expected to meet with Oregon coach Willie Taggart on Monday
TEXAS A&M: Jimbo Fisher says the opportunity to coach couldn’t pass up.
Fisher was lured away from Florida State, where he won a national championship in 2013, with a 10-year, $75 million contract at Texas A&M. Fisher was formally introduced at Texas A&M on Monday.
“I’m a tobacco chewer and I wear my boots and I shoot my guns and I throw my fishing rod,” he said before lamenting that he probably shouldn’t admit all that. “And I grew up on horses.”
Fisher takes over for Kevin Sumlin, who was fired Nov. 26 after the Aggies finished the regular season 7-5 and 4-4 in the Southeastern Conference.
Fisher went 83-23 in eight seasons at Florida State, leading the Seminoles to three Atlantic Coast Conference championships and four Atlantic Division titles.
ARMY: Army will be wearing a new uniform honoring one of its famed divisions when it plays Navy this weekend in its big rivalry game.
The uniforms are made by Nike, whose co-founder Bill Bowerman managed supplies for the 10th Mountain Division. The unit is noted for its ability to fight in harsh mountainous terrain.