Report: ASU interim Shaun Aguano takes play-calling duties from OC
Oct 25, 2022, 3:06 PM
Arizona State interim head coach Shaun Aguano looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Arizona State interim head coach Shaun Aguano will take on play-calling duties on Saturday against the Colorado Buffaloes, according to SunDevilSource.com.
Aguano earlier in the week hinted he would be more involved on offense.
Shaun Aguano had direct involvement in offensive play calling in the first 11-on-11 team period of ASU’s practice today. That’s not been the case previously.
Aguano said yesterday he’s going to be “very, very, very involved” the offense moving forward.
New play caller?
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) October 25, 2022
A running backs coach to start the year, Aguano was appointed interim to replace Herm Edwards when the former head coach was fired following a loss to Eastern Michigan. Aguano takes the play-by-play duties from Glenn Thomas, who is in his first season at ASU after coaching as OC and quarterbacks coach at UNLV the past two seasons.
Thomas had previous play-calling experience as a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Baylor (2017-19) and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Temple (2016). At both of those stops, Thomas worked under head coach Matt Rhule, who is jobless after being fired by the Carolina Panthers this NFL season.
Aguano joined the Sun Devils’ staff initially in 2019. He had been head coach at Chandler High School from 2011-18.
The timing of the play-calling change comes after ASU fell to Stanford on Saturday, 15-14, while failing to score in the second half.
It appeared an offensive jolt would come in the form of a reopened quarterback competition. Emory Jones started and went 14-of-25 for 227 yards, a touchdown and an interception in that game.
Jones is now competing with Trenton Bourguet for the start at Colorado.
Bourguet replaced Jones a game prior, a 45-38 upset over then-No. 21 Washington Huskies. Bourguet went 15-of-21 for 182 yards, three touchdowns and a pick after Jones left with an injury.
