Coach Frank Kush
ASU Sun Devil Stadium - Frank Kush Field
Sometimes mere numbers really tell the story. Over 22 seasons, as the ASU football coach, Frank finished with a record of 176-54-1. In 1958, he took over what was basically a small college program and turned ASU football, by the mid 1970's, into a regular top-20 team.
His teams often were not as big as the opponents, but they were usually quicker and better conditioned. Seldom did Kush's teams lose a late lead. And year after year, Kush managed to come up with some of the nation's best skill-position players (Charley Taylor, Ben Hawkins, Woody Green, Danny White, Art & Ben Malone, John Jefferson). In a six-season span, from 1970 through 1975, his teams fashioned a 62-9 record, including a 5-0 mark in bowl games. The 1975 team was the capper: 12-0 season, Fiesta Bowl win over Nebraska and a consensus #2 ranking (#1 by The Sporting News).
The success of Kush's teams was instrumental in securing the money and support for Arizona State to put together what is considered one of the finest set of on-campus sport facilities at any university. The crown jewel was the expansion of Sun Devil Stadium to 70,000 seats. This, in turn, was a crucial factor in wooing the Cardinals from St Louis and eventually landing Super Bowl XXX.
All-American guard at Michigan State. The Spartans were national champions his senior year.
First coaching assignment was with an Army team at Fort Benning, Georgia - Veteran
His teams won 76% of their games and 9 conference titles.
Won 21 consecutive victories over 3 seasons (1969-1971), plus winning streaks of 13 games (twice) and 12 games (twice).
6-1 record in post-season games.
Coached 30 All-Americans, including QB Danny White, DB John Harris, WR John Jefferson, LB Ron Pritchard, Bob Breuning and Larry Gordon, DE Al Harris, RB Woody Green, DB Mike Haynes, HOF.
129 of Frank's players went on to play professionally.
Named Coach of the Year in 1975
Better Division 1 winning record than Woody Hayes, Earl Blaik, Darrel Royal, Dan Devine, Ara Parseghian, and Pop Warner.
Coached Professionally Canadian Football League: Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1981, National Football League: Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, United States Football League: Arizona Outlaws 1985.
Ten years as the Executive Administrator - Arizona Boys Ranch, a rehabilitation center for delinquent boys.
Charter member of the National Football Foundation Coaches Hall of Fame, Valley of the Sun Chapter, serving as president for 4 years.
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame - 1995.
Inducted into the Polish Hall of Fame - 1996
Sun Devil Stadium playing surface named "Frank Kush Field" - 1996.
Hired by Arizona State University as an assistant to the athletic director - 2000.
Frank Kush Youth Foundation Chairman - 1994-2017.
Inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame - 2000.