Fisch to Dillingham, Ayton, Open Final Four

Arizona Sports News online

Jedd Fisch took over arguably the worst college football program in the nation just about two years ago. In season one, his team managed a single victory. In year two, he beat his rival from Tempe, won five games, and came within a couple of plays from having his team bowl eligible. Fisch has gained the favor of the Arizona high school football coaches, who appreciate his staff’s willingness to analyze and recruit players within the state. While not near the level of the top programs in the Pac-12, Fisch’s squad put on a good show most weeks. Friday’s victory over Arizona State was another stepping stone for a program that was down, down, down. 

Kenny Dillingham(unless there’s another June Jones moment) will be named the head football coach of Arizona State. He’ll be taking over a team that just finished 3-9. A program that went from the “pro-model”  to “poof.”  He’s arriving in a similar situation to what Fisch stepped into. Dillingham’s introductory press conference will be the easiest win for Sun Devil football in the last couple of years. There’s very little downside to this hire on the field, especially IF the assistant coaching staff being put together does come to fruition. The names will have people talking…

I would hope that Dillingham would have had a very, very thorough questioning of how exactly Arizona State will accomplish the Name Image Likeness issue.  Sun Devil leader Kyle Solle said after the loss to Arizona about the lack of NIL at Arizona State. “You just look at the championship programs across, you know, the entire nation; I mean, it’s a little different than we got, right? So I just challenge, you know, let’s step our games up. I’m always going to be a Sun Devil; I’m always going to back this program.”  Truth hurts. Glad he said it…

Michigan vs Ohio State. Now, that is a rivalry…

The litany of non-football game issues, distractions, and nonsense associated with our hometown heroes on the pro gridiron since last March is exhausting. Must be hard to be a fan…

Am I the only one who felt that DeAndre Ayton needed to go Maurice Lucas, Paul Silas, Charles Barkley on Patrick Beverly?…

Again, I seldom root; however, it would be cool to see Arizona and Arizona State basketball ranked in their New Year’s Eve matchup. I would think both programs would be in the Top 25 this week. Sean Miller left Tommy Lloyd with some dudes and Lloyd has put his stamp on the Wildcats in a big way. Fun team to watch. I’ve seen Hurley’s group play four times. Each time they get a little cleaner and a little crisper. Colorado, Stanford, and Creighton in the next couple of weeks will test them even more…

Very pleased that four of our Sports360az documentaries have been picked up to be shown at the Mesa Film Festival. Great work by our team!…

Liberty vs Saguaro, Basha vs Chandler. No problem with the Open…

My time as a high school football dad continues for another week. Our son’s football team at Casteel is in the state semi-finals. Fun ride for him. Some of you have read or heard about his high school journey. We’ve sat at the table the last couple of Friday nights, just chopping up his teams’ playoff victories. I’m taking it all in…