Fresh off of an epic football season, Arizona State Athletics Director Graham Rossini joins the Y-Option podcast for the 2nd time, thanks to our founding partners at 76. I can recall my first year coaching at USC and our game at ASU. It was an epic back-and-forth showdown and while the Trojans were able to win it late, I left ASU with the feeling that many others have always felt, “ASU is a sleeping giant.”

After the Sun Devils run from being picked dead last in the preseason to becoming the Big 12 champions who took Texas to the absolute brink in the CFP all while being led by a rising star in Kenny Dillingham, it’s safe to assume that that giant is fully awakened.

Graham and I dove into the year that was in Tempe, his leadership style and how he has guided this athletic department as he recently extended the contracts of Coach Dillingham and both coordinators, Brian Ward and Marcus Arroyo. He also shared what it was like on the field postgame with Coach Dillingham after big wins (aka “I was one of these guys!”) and what was said in the ASU locker room after the CFP loss.

Always thoughtful, Graham explained his lens on the current CFP model and what it was like to represent the West Coast in major college football in a powerful way this season.

Personally, it’s been a joy to watch Graham lead the Sun Devils and take risks, or as he likes to say, “say yes, and figure out the details.”

Thank you for reading today’s newsletter and if you enjoy the lessons learned from today’s podcast please share it with a friend, as your support of Y-Option allows us to continue to grow this community of thoughtful and connected fans of the game we all love.

Much love,

Yogi

P.S. Hope you’re getting your off-season workouts in!

This episode was executive produced by Jim Thornby and edited by Victor Ren.

This podcast is a Best Coast Media production.

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