ASU FOOTBALL

ASU’s Herm Edwards not relying on motivation off low media poll ranking

Jul 25, 2018, 4:43 PM | Updated: 4:51 pm

Arizona State first-year head football coach Herm Edwards isn’t reacting much to being ranked last in the Pac-12 South preseason media poll.

“Somebody’s got to be first, somebody’s got to be sixth,” Edwards said at Pac-12 Media Day on Wednesday. “It’s great. Doesn’t matter to me. We don’t go by polls. We’ve got our own aspirations. I told you at the press conference, we’re trying to win a Pac-12 Championship. So whatever people write, they can write what they want. That’s good. Hopefully, no players are listening to that, because no coaches are listening to it.”

If his players are listening to it, Edwards doesn’t want them to rely on that as motivation.

“I would hope that if you need someone else to motivate you, that’s not good,” he said. “I learned this a long time ago on how I grew up. You’ve got to be able to bet on yourself. You don’t let other people set your expectations. Don’t fall into that trap.

“I tell players all the time. I’ve been good enough in my lifetime. Bet on me, because I know the work I’m going to put in and what it takes. If it doesn’t turn out that way, I can live with that.”

The ranking comes despite the Sun Devils finishing second in the Pac-12 South last season under Todd Graham and returning key players like quarterback Manny Wilkins and wide receiver N’Keal Harry.

Edwards isn’t worried about any noise outside his team.

“To be quite honest, you’ll figure this out about me, I don’t know what happens on the outside world,” he said. “And I’m not saying that to belittle what you guys do. I was in your world. I was in people’s homes every night, every morning.

I don’t read it. I don’t watch it. I am a football coach. When I’m not a football coach, I’m trying to be the best father I can be. That’s what I concern myself with. I don’t concern myself with the outside elements because the outside elements don’t coach the team. I’ve got to coach coaches and players, and that’s my obligation. I’ve got to stay focused on that.”

ASU Football

Tempe brewery NIL...

Arizona Sports

Tempe brewery signs sponsorship and NIL deal with ASU

Tempe-based Huss Brewing Co. announced it has signed a multifaceted sponsorship deal with Arizona State University, which includes the creation of a Sun Devil specific ale.

3 days ago

ASU's Kenny Dillingham and Sam Leavitt...

Damon Allred

Kenny Dillingham needs ASU hungry for fall 2025, details offensive tweaks

Kenny Dillingham has a tall task in front of him in getting ASU to sustain good football into 2025 and prove its magical 2024 was not an aberration.

3 days ago

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats runs during the second half against the ...

Brandon Cadiz

Mel Kiper Jr: Tetairoa McMillan a top 10 prospect, Cam Skattebo outside top 5 RBs in NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. has Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan as a top-seven prospect and Arizona State's Cam Skattebo top 10 in his running back rankings.

3 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

3 days ago

Arizona State...

David Veenstra

Arizona State Sun Devils football signing day tracker

Arizona State football announced three-star running back Grayson Rigdon (Texas) committed on Tuesday. 

5 days ago

Israel Briggs has committed to the ASU Sun Devils...

Tyler Drake

ASU lands commitment from 4-star recruit Israel Briggs for 2026

Four-star recruit Israel Briggs has committed to play for the ASU Sun Devils as part of the defending Big 12 champion's 2026 class.

5 days ago

ASU’s Herm Edwards not relying on motivation off low media poll ranking