ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

For bowl-eligible Sun Devils, fun is part of the formula

Nov 12, 2018, 3:54 PM

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)...

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

TEMPE, Ariz. — Herm Edwards is far from boring.

The first-year head coach of Arizona State football had a lengthy career in television before he got to Tempe. And before that, during his days as the head coach of the New York Jets, his claim that “you play to win the game” became a famous press conference moment.

And in 2018, in meeting with the media regularly, he still has moments where he turns a room full of serious, inquisitive reports into a room full of chuckling audience members.

Maybe it’s a good thing that he carries that quality.

“One of my daughters is excited about going up there [to Oregon] because she likes the mascot,” Edwards said Monday when asked about the challenges of playing in the cold weather. “She likes the duck. I told her, I said, ‘Now you’re not pulling for the duck, are you?’ She says, ‘No, daddy, I don’t pull for the duck, but I like the duck.’ I said ‘OK.’

“What do you tell a 12-year-old?”

It’s understandable that when Edwards was asked about what has gone right for the Sun Devils to have the success they’ve had — having just won their third straight game — that having fun was among the things he listed. Of course, there’s more to it than that, as he said: “Hiring a good coaching staff,” “earning the players’ trust,” “being consistent,” and “allowing players to have their own personalities” were all things he listed.

But he made sure not to leave one out:

“Having fun. You’ve got to have fun doing this. You really do,” Edwards said. “It’s too many hours if you’re not having any fun.”

It’s all part of why ASU has achieved bowl eligibility with two games left to play in their season, having reached the six-game mark in Edwards’ first year on campus. The Sun Devils have also won three straight, and if they win their remaining two games, plus the Pac-12 Championship game and their bowl game, they would have 10 wins.

“I think it’s good to [reach a bowl game] because of all the good will it brings you, and the players are excited about it,” Edwards said. “If you’re a senior, let’s say a walk-on kid. You’re going to a bowl game, man. That’s pretty neat.

“And when you’re 30 years old, 40 years old, and you sit around with your family and your kids, ‘Oh yeah, I played in that bowl.’ Whatever — and it will probably be a different name for it, but — you played in the bowl. They always change these names, I get that part. But it’s just fun. I think it’s fun, that you say you’re bowl eligible.”

Arizona State Football

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college footb...

Vincent DeAngelis

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball

ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham addressed quarterback Jaden Rashada's injury, revamped roster and NIL ahead of start of spring ball

5 days ago

Jaden Rashada on the football field...

Arizona Sports

Report: ASU’s Jaden Rashada dealing with thumb injury, will miss spring ball

ASU's Jaden Rashada won't be a full participant in spring ball due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand suffered earlier in the year.

7 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

12 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

13 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

13 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

18 days ago

For bowl-eligible Sun Devils, fun is part of the formula