ASU’s Todd Graham not concerned about speculation about his future

With the college football season coming to a close, the coaching carousel is spinning and Arizona State’s Todd Graham’s future is hanging in the balance.

The sixth-year head coach is very much living in the moment.

“I am in a great place,” Graham said on Doug & Wolf on 98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station. “I know the Good Lord put me here. I have been so blessed to do this and to make an impact in these kids lives. I have grown a lot as a person.”

At the start of year, ASU President Michael Crow and athletic director Ray Anderson made it clear that they expected the program to make significant strides this season.

With the pressure and all the outside speculation on Graham’s future, the Sun Devil coach doesn’t let it affect him.

“You can’t really worry about it, because all you got to do is win and they will shut up talking about it,” Graham said. “That’s what we have to do. You can’t worry about the things you can’t control. I’ve just matured in that way.”

The Sun Devils are 5-5 and 4-3 in Pac-12 play and are just one win away from receiving bowl eligibility. It would be Graham’s fifth bowl in his tenure. In ASU history, only the legendary late Frank Kush has guided the Sun Devils to as many bowls in a six-year period.

Although Graham is not showing any signs of pressure on the surface, his desire to win and be competitive remains inside him.

“At the same time, no one puts more pressure on themselves than I do, Graham said. “I love this and I signed up for this. The competition part of it and the winning support is very, very important.”

Graham has built a strong culture at ASU that is centered around discipline and toughness.

The discipline can be seen on the field with the Sun Devils having the third-fewest penalties and the fourth-fewest turnovers given up in the country.

The discipline can also be seen off the field.

“We are making a huge difference,” said Graham. “(It’s) what our players do on and off the field. Just being able to be a part of their lives. (Look) what we created and what we built. You look over the last six years we have done some pretty amazing things.”

ASU will travel to play Oregon State on Saturday at 1 p.m. and you can catch the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. Pregame coverage starts at 11 a.m.