Arizona State head football coach Todd Graham has made
quite the first impression on ASU athletic director Lisa
Love.

“I am first of all very, very impressed,” Love told
Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf Tuesday. “He has
tremendous momentum that he’s established already.”

Love was high on Graham’s up-tempo coaching style from the
start. He embodied the high-energy candidate to take
control of a football program that has long fell way below
lofty expectations.

Graham ruffled feathers when he chose to leave Pittsburgh
after only one season. He came under more fire when he
alerted Pitt players of his departure in a text message.
The ASU job is already his fourth head-coaching job since
2006. He also had stints at Rice and Tulsa. Graham’s
overall head coaching record is 49-29.

Reports are that Graham has exuded
confidence when discussing the future of the Sun Devils
program with potential recruits, which Love says has been
well-received.

“What I’ve observed so far is parents and prospects feel
very comfortable with him from the get-go,” Love says of
Graham’s recruiting approach.

The fruits of his labor will become clear after his new
class is unveiled and evaluated. Love feels Graham’s done
the necessary legwork to have a very successful outcome.

“He’s made some wonderful, wonderful inroads — a lot of
work to do through this month obviously because of signing
day in February, but I certainly am impressed with those
who he is recruiting and the way he’s going about doing
it.”

The quality of talent Graham is able to bring to Tempe in
his first season as head coach could set the standard for
the future direction of the team.

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