Former ASU greats remember legendary head coach Frank Kush
Jun 30, 2017, 7:57 AM | Updated: Jul 1, 2017, 11:38 am
Former ASU head football coach Frank Kush died Thursday at 88. (Arizona State University Photo)
(Arizona State University Photo)
The Arizona State Sun Devil community took a big hit on June 22 when legendary ASU football coach Frank Kush died at 88.
Kush was an icon that had an undeniable impact on the school’s football program.
To honor Kush, 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station, had several former players on with Doug Franz from Doug and Wolf to discuss what Kush meant to them and Arizona State.
“I can’t think of anybody, any single person, that was more responsible for putting ASU on the map than Frank Kush was,” former Arizona State quarterback Danny White said.
White played for Kush from 1971-1974 and is both a College Football Hall of Famer and ASU Ring of Honor member.
“That was the greatness of Frank Kush, he brought everybody to a different level and pushed us all to do things and to be better than we ever could have been on our own.”
Linebacker Bob Breunig also played on those teams and like White is also both a College Football Hall of Famer and ASU Ring of Honor member.
“If you listen to all the commentary that’s happening right now, particularly with the players, none of them are saying ‘hey coach, thank you for making me a better linebacker, an offensive guard, or a running back,'” Breunig said.
“They’re all thanking him for the character qualities that were imparted to them while they played under his watch.
“It’s hard work, it’s the commitment, it’s the loyalty, it’s the winning, it’s all these character traits.”
Yuma’s Curley Culp made the Pro Football Hall of Fame and ASU Ring of Honor for his work at defensive tackle and knew Kush for his unbelievable way of getting the most out of his players.
“Frank was very good as far as building mental toughness and sacrifice,” Culp said.
“From the standpoint that when you thought your tank was empty, he understood and helped you realize that there was always a little extra available to push yourself.”
Former ASU quarterback Jake Plummer, wide receiver J.D. Hill and cornerback Mike Haynes also joined the program, as well as Tim Healey, Jeff Van Raaphorst and Kush’s son, Dan.
