Remembering Sun Devil legend Frank Kush
Winningest coach in ASU football history died Thursday at age 88, hailed as the man who built the university into national power
Editor's note: This story is being highlighted in ASU Now's year in review. To read more top stories from 2017, click here.
Frank Kush, Arizona State University and College Football Hall of Fame inductee and the winningest coach in Sun Devil football history, died Thursday at age 88. Kush was a part of the ASU family since 1955 and served in many roles over the years, most recently as an ambassador for Sun Devil Athletics.
Frank Kush
"Coach Kush built ASU into a national football power,” ASU President Michael M. Crow said. "He taught us how to make football work, and he put ASU on the map long before it was a full-scale university. Throughout his life he maintained his strong connection to ASU, working with coaches and devoting time to the football program. By growing ASU football he helped us build the whole university into what it is today. He will be sorely missed.”
Kush started his career at ASU in 1955 as an assistant under former head coach Dan Devine. Three seasons later, on Dec. 22, 1957, Kush became the 15th football coach in Arizona State history.
Kush went on to win 176 games — the most in school history — across 21.5 seasons and was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He led his team to seven Western Athletic Conference Championships and guided the Sun Devils to winning seasons in 19 of his 22 years. The Hall of Famer also holds the ASU football record for most postseason victories.
“Frank Kush is Sun Devil football,” said ASU Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. “… Today, he and his family are in our hearts."
Read the full story about Kush and his impact on the university on the Sun Devil Athletics site here.
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Frank Kush won 176 games, the most in ASU history, across 21.5 seasons and was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
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Kush led the Sun Devils to six victories in seven bowl games, including the 1970 Peach Bowl and 1975 Fiesta Bowl, which capped off two undefeated seasons. The Peach Bowl marked ASU’s first bowl game in 19 years, and the Fiesta Bowl win pushed the Sun Devils to second in the national rankings, the highest ever under Kush.
Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
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The legendary coach helped guide 38 college players to All-America honors and 128 players into the National Football League, including 10 first-round draft picks and 17 Pro Bowlers.
Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
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The Hall of Famer also holds the ASU football record for most postseason victories.
Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
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After his coaching career ended in 1979, Kush went back to ASU 21 years later and served as a special assistant to the athletics director and then as an ambassador for Sun Devil Athletics.
Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics
In the players' words
In October 2011, Kush and players from his 1958–1979 teams gathered at ASU for the Legends Luncheon. Watch the memories and hear what players had to say about their coach.
What's in a name?
In the late 1950s, efforts were afoot to change Arizona State College's name to Arizona State University. There were strong feelings on both sides.
Kush was among those who played a key role in drumming up support for the "university" change. Hear Kush and others speak about what it was like during that time.
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