Arizona State Sun Devils

Arizona State is Becoming Famous for Whiney Coaches

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

College basketball is right around the corner and on Saturday Arizona State Coach Todd Graham picked up where his co-worker, basketball coach Bobby Hurley, left off earlier this year as his team fell to defeat.

In January of this year, the No. 8 Arizona Wildcat basketball team took on the Sun Devils in Tempe at Wells Fargo Arena. Arizona built a 16-point lead, but ASU cut it to just 6 with three minutes remaining

As Gabe York went on a tear at the free throw line, ASU head coach Bobby Hurley got a couple of technical fouls, which resulted in his early exit to the locker room. On the way, the cameras shot him angry and pouting.

Unfortunately for the ASU athletic department, Hurley’s temper-filled exit is what was remembered from this Pac-12 opener instead of the hard fought game by his Devils. It will be awhile before Arizona fans let Hurley live it down, either in person or on social media.

Now it will be Washington State’s turn to have some fun with an Arizona State head coach. Earlier in the week, Cougar’s head coach Mike Leach accused Todd Graham and staff of stealing signs.

Honestly, programs look for any edge, and if Todd Graham can figure something out and stay within the rules, more power to him. Most industries look for some advantage on the competition, why not sports?

In today’s Rich Rodriguez post-practice press conference, the head coach admitted that Arizona attempts to steal plays from the opposite team and vice versa. “We’ve always been conscious of it — we try to take and see what they are signalling and see if we can figure it out, but that’s usually pretty hard,” he said, “We got a system, you almost got to now because guys will assign a coach or two to try to take it from you.” Refreshing honesty. (Quote care of Arizona Daily Star)

For some reason, this recent sign-stealing accusation didn’t sit well with Coach Graham, and he made no secret about it. He must know by now Mike Leach says what he wants and can be a little unpredictable. Coach Leach was fined $10,000 by the Pac-12, so there was some justice. But these two won’t be sitting around the pool together anytime soon. And based on last year, was Leach unjustly fined?

Todd Graham did admit they do steal signs last season. Also said others do as well. Remember P12 schools going with drapes playing ASU? pic.twitter.com/N2yfhEfrAF

— AZ Wildcat Country (@Wildcat_Country) October 23, 2016

As the two coaches met at midfield at the end of the game Saturday, Todd Graham gave Leach an earful, enough that Leach seemed speechless.

Todd Graham tells Mike Leach his comments about ASU sign-stealing are "chickenshit": pic.twitter.com/kC2KWsjIO3

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) October 23, 2016

That may be worth more than the monetary fine. In a similar manner to Hurley’s game against Arizona, The School Up North had just come up short after staging a furious comeback late in the game. Maybe the emotions got to Graham. His team really swung the pendulum back their way, but that won’t be remembered due to Graham’s mouth.

The entire situation has become fodder for social media. Here are a few examples:

Southwest flight bound for PHX, or ASU Command Center surveillance plane? You decide. #WSUvsASU pic.twitter.com/9wPU0ghc4M

— Shane Dale (@ShaneDaleABC15) October 23, 2016

The truth is it’s very hard to be happy about much when you’re a Devil. There is no doubt Arizona fans will be ready to tease Todd Graham when he comes to Arizona Stadium Thanksgiving weekend. Eat lots of turkey, Arizona, and hide those signs!