Arizona State interim coach Shaun Aguano says 'only winning' solves Sun Devils' problems
Shaun Aguano addressed the media Monday afternoon in Tempe for the first time as the Arizona State head coach.
The former running back coach was handed the interim tag on Sunday after the program decided to part ways with Herm Edwards. Arizona State sits at 1-2 on the season and has to prepare to face No. 13 Utah this Saturday, the team picked by the media in the preseason to win the conference.
It’s a tough ask. Aguano told reporters on Monday, though, that when he showed up to the football facilities at 5:30 a.m. local time Monday morning, seven other assistant coaches were already there.
“Our kids and our coaches have been through a lot in the last 24 hours,” Aguano said. “Our focus now is the next nine games. Making sure that I take care of the kids, that’s the most important thing to me.”
Things reached a low point Saturday night when Arizona State lost to Eastern Michigan, 30-21. Fans were greatly displeased. The direction of the program looked off.
“I am going to ask for their support, I understand that the last game that we played deflated them,” Aguano said of the fanbase. “We have an opportunity to prove all the naysayers wrong. I understand they’re deflated and only winning solves it.”
Here’s the rest of what he said during his time at the dais:
ASU's interim head coach Shaun Aguano's opening statement pic.twitter.com/hmiKoLt7Kz
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 19, 2022
Arizona State interim football coach Shaun Aguano said he gave the team 24 hours to grieve.
Then it's back to work.
Says this opportunity is a dream for him.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 19, 2022
Aguano: It all comes down to the recruiting aspect of it.
"I will personally recruit Arizona kids. I know the coaches. I know the kids. I know what they want. I will personally recruit Arizona kids. They have to be a good fit. They have to be as athletic as the teams we face."
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) September 19, 2022
Aguano: "No other coach I think can recruit to Arizona State with the knowledge base I have" from his time at Chandler and at ASU.
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) September 19, 2022
ASU interim HC Shaun Aguano:
“I’ll give my heart and soul to this program. I don’t take this lightly. I’ve been here 20-something years and know what this means. I know this landscape. My kids are Arizona kids. This means a lot to me, means a lot to my family. I get emotional’ pic.twitter.com/XjVfadIHh4
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 19, 2022
Shaun Aguano message to fans and the local community: "You've got an Arizona coach who loves Arizona in this spot. So let's come and help" make it a success.
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) September 19, 2022
Shaun Agauno says he likes the challenge of starting with three straight ranked teams (Utah, USC and Washington).
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 19, 2022
Aguano: There will be subtle changes. There won't be drastic changes.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 19, 2022
Shaun Aguano said he called and texted with Herm Edwards last night. "He's in a good place."
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 19, 2022
Shaun Aguano: I will personally recruit Arizona kids. I know their coaches. I know what they're about."
Said he will work to get in-state kids excited about Arizona State football.
(This is something Arizona State did not often do under Herm Edwards.)
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 19, 2022
"The more you win, the easier it is to recruit. My job is to win first, and then recruit. Recruiting is a 24/7 job. I think I'm ready for it. I think there is so much to sell here at Arizona State. I'm ready to get to work."
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 19, 2022
"Our household last night felt just like it did when I got the head job at Chandler. Just them (his four kids) understanding that dreams can come true. I know it's cliche, but in my situation it has."
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 19, 2022
"I have not had time to reflect at all. My wife told me to just have fun. For me, I only have fun when I win."
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 19, 2022
"I wasn't involved in the mutual parting of ways. I accepted the job, Herm was there and he gave me a huge hug. I told him I loved him. I called and texted him last night and he's in a good place."
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 19, 2022
"The last three games were preseason, this is where it all counts now, these nine games. I'm here to inspire these kids to play like that. We're going to look forward, in reality we gotta get ready to go."
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 19, 2022