The worst season in Arizona State’s program history came to an end on Friday with a 38-35 loss to Arizona in Tucson. The defeat snapped a five-game win streak for the Sun Devils in the Territorial Cup and it more than likely brought an end to Shaun Aguano’s time as the interim head coach.

Arizona State has been in the market for its next head coach since a Week 3 loss to Eastern Michigan. The program is not expected to remove the interim tag from Aguano’s title and give him the full-time job, and that leaves his future with the program up in the air as the season comes to an end.

Aguano commented on his future Friday.

“I’m a pretty smart guy,” he said with a chuckle that seemed to try and mask some real heartfelt emotion. “We didn’t get the job done and it’s a winning business. I get it. I’m so good because I took care of those kids. I’m always going to be a Sun Devil. This is one of the greatest things that has happened in my life and my family’s life. We made a difference. We didn’t get it done, so there is going to be a lot of disappointed people in me for not bringing back that Territorial Cup and I’ll take that. I’m good with it. But I love those kids in that room.”

Asked if Aguano would stay on staff in a reduced capacity under the new head coach, he deferred.

“The higher-ups will make that decision. The new coach will make that decision,” he said. “Here is what I know about Shaun Aguano: I’m never an ego guy. I want Sun Devil Nation to win and be successful. So, if that includes me, I’ll do whatever I can to make sure that we win football games. I’m not an ego guy. I can be the water boy on the side if they pay me enough for it. Whatever I can do in order to make Sun Devil Nation be prominent like they should be and they deserve to be, I’ll do whatever it is.

“That might not happen. There might be opportunities other places. I’m just a ball coach that loves kids and I want to develop kids. And so wherever I land, I know I’m going to do my job to the best of my ability.”

Aguano won folks over with his willingness to make changes in the face of disappointment. After a 15-14 loss to Stanford, he took over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas and made the move from Emory Jones to Trenton Bourguet at quarterback. Those moves sparked the offense in a noticeable way.

He got a letter of recommendation from the state’s high school coaches earlier this season, as well.

Arizona State went 2-7 under Aguano’s watch. It was 1-2 when the program parted ways with Herm Edwards. It’s the first nine-loss season in program history.