Shaun Aguano says Arizona State has enough talent to compete with anyone in the Pac-12
In spite of three straight losses and a lopsided start to Pac-12 play, interim Arizona State coach Shaun Aguano thinks he has a team that can compete with anyone.
Aguano — who took over for Herm Edwards a week ago — likes the Sun Devils’ talent. He told reporters on Monday he thinks there’s enough talent in Tempe to compete with anyone in the Pac-12. Arizona State just needs to be more detail-oriented.
"From a talent standpoint we have the potential. From a detail oriented standpoint we aren't where we should be. Are we underperforming based on our talent level? I think so."
Aguano believes ASU has the talent to compete with anyone in the conference.— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 26, 2022
The Sun Devils are one of the most penalized teams in the country this season. They have been flagged 30 times in four games, resulting in 294 yards of penalty yardage. Arizona State is bottom-30 in both categories. That’s certainly a factor in the 1-3 start to the season.
When it comes to talent, that’s an interesting discussion. The Sun Devils are seventh in the 247Sports Talent Composite — a measure of team talent based off recruiting rankings. They rank 41st nationally in that regard. While there has been a bit of a talent drain with all the offseason transfers who left the program, ASU was able to add impact transfers from other Power Five programs at key spots.
It’ll need all hands on deck this week. Arizona State is a massive underdog for its road game against No. 6 USC.
Here’s more of what Aguano had to say Monday to kick off the new week:
Shaun Aguano said ASU's assistants brought their families including their kids to the building yesterday for a dinner with the team's players.
There were 170 people in ASU's training table and "football was not discussed at all." It was all about family, relationship development
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 26, 2022
Interim coach Shaun Aguano says the Markham twins are way from the team for now. It's a "personal" decision
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) September 26, 2022
Shaun Aguano said he's keeping the Markham twins off the field personal reasons at this point due to how difficult the coaching transition has been on them.
They were not dressed for the Utah game but were on the sidelines.
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 26, 2022
Shaun Aguano on whether he'd like to see more QB carries as part of ASU's offensive approach:
"I'd like to see more protected designed runs" for Emory Jones.
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 26, 2022
"They're a very athletic team. I believe that we can take and exploit the athleticism, we need to make sure that our details are taken care of. What gives us the edge is making sure we're fundamentally sound in the things we do."
Aguano on USC— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 26, 2022
"That honeymoon phase is over, now it's about how I keep them motivated. Last week we were 4% better, because we stacked four days. This game is a game of inches, we are right there. When you stack days good things will come."
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 26, 2022
On in state recruiting:
"Like I said I will personally go and recruit Arizona. We had as many kids on the sideline for unofficial visits as we've ever had. I let them know that as the head coach I want them. I'll do my part in getting out there."— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 26, 2022
