Twitter reacts to Todd Graham being fired by Arizona State
Todd Graham has officially been fired by Arizona State, after indications it would happen, and Twitter has reacted to the news.
Arizona State head coach Todd Graham assumed he would be fired after a win or a loss to Arizona on Saturday. It officially came to fruition Sunday morning, despite a 42-30 victory over the rival Wildcats, and Graham is out after six seasons in Tempe.
Graham went 46-31 and 2-2 in bowl games over his time at Arizona State, including two 10-win seasons (2013 and 2014). But things took a downturn in 2015 and 2016, and Graham entered this season clearly on the hot seat. An above .500 overall record this year, and a winning Pac-12 record (6-3) for the first time since that 2014 campaign, was not enough to save his job.
Arizona State may have their eye on a wide range of candidates to replace Graham, and he may now become a candidate for other openings around the country. But Twitter has of course offered an instant reaction to Graham’s firing, on both ends of the spectrum and a bit in between, and here’s a sampling.
Thank you, @CoachGrahamASU pic.twitter.com/5ohhYPZKlz
— Speak of the Devils (@SotDPodcast) November 26, 2017
We have a new leader in the clubhouse in buyouts. Todd Graham had 43 months left on his contract and is owed $11.2 million.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 26, 2017
If I took away one thing from covering Todd Graham for two seasons: He truly cared about Arizona State. He always talked about putting his heart and soul into the program, and it appeared genuine each time.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) November 26, 2017
Feeling among ASU administration is that ASU has everything in place to compete at high level. New facility, reconstructed Sun Devil Stadium. Obviously, they didn't think Graham was the guy to take them there.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) November 26, 2017
I expect Ray Anderson to move quickly on hiring Todd Graham's replacement. My guess is he's had his guy lined up for a while.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) November 26, 2017
Arizona State confirms Todd Graham “has been relieved of his duties.”
— CollegeFootballTalk (@CFTalk) November 26, 2017
Todd Graham embraced the importance of the #TerritorialCup game in a way no other ASU coach had since Frank Kush. With that came 4 wins over UA in 6 years. I don't think that's a coincidence.
— Shane Dale (@ShaneDaleAZ) November 26, 2017
On the note that Graham may become a candidate elsewhere…
Todd Graham to Tennessee?
— Joseph Yun 🇺🇲🇰🇷🔰 (@2Yoon2ZeroBlitz) November 26, 2017
Could Todd Graham become a candidate at Ole Miss? Guy has won everywhere he’s been HC, defense is his background, with right OC and Recruiting Coordinator he could do well.
— Bill Dyer (@billdyer38) November 26, 2017
Wow, thank you @CoachGrahamASU for all you’ve done for ASU football and these boys. Assuring they are disciplined on and off the field. Good luck to wherever you go.
— Ari (@AriKamari) November 26, 2017
@CoachGrahamASU I thought you deserved another chance to coach here at ASU. Best wishes for you going forward.
— Greg Holman (@azgergman) November 26, 2017
Todd Graham needs to find a new dream job
— Pitt Volleyball Fan Account (@RagingBull_Stru) November 26, 2017
The Sun Devils went 6-3 in the Pac-12, finished 2nd in the South, beat the no. 5 team in the nation, beat their in-state rival, and Todd Graham got fired? College football is crazy.
— Scott (@ScottTokstad) November 26, 2017
Guaranteed Todd Graham just subscribed to https://t.co/XA7koxNGxT to see where "he has family" in regards to his next job
— Jake Oswalt (@TheWizOfOz11) November 26, 2017
In a fairly rare move, Graham and his coaching staff will coach the Sun Devils in their bowl game.
Todd Graham and his assistants will remain on staff through Arizona State's bowl game, ESPN has confirmed. The Sun Devils finished the regular season at 7-5. https://t.co/ehW7v3lnek
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 26, 2017
Similar to when Dennis Erickson was fired, Todd Graham & his staff will coach #SunDevils in upcoming bowl game
— Jason Lewis (@JasonLewis_TV) November 26, 2017
I'm by no means Todd Graham's biggest defender, but I don't think this is the right move at all https://t.co/aPhzmaOlEl
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) November 26, 2017
If I’m Todd graham I’m not coaching the bowl game.
— Luis Yanez (@groovylouie_) November 26, 2017
I'm disappointed and saddened to hear about the firing of @CoachGrahamASU. He has my absolute respect and gratitude for everything he's done for our Arizona State Sun Devils. Thank you, Coach.
— d.rock (@resoluteDVL) November 26, 2017
Todd Graham has been relieved of his duties as the head football coach of Arizona State University, announced Vice President of University Athletics Ray Anderson Sunday morning.
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) November 26, 2017
Full statement: https://t.co/SHWkiA2gSx
Extremely disappointed in the decision to fire Coach Todd Graham.
— Ted Kelley (@TedKelley_14) November 26, 2017
@CoachGrahamASU gave me the opportunity to chase my dream, shocking news to wake up too. Great man and great coach. Going to miss you coach.
— Michael Sleep-Dalton (@mjsleepdalton) November 26, 2017
Todd Graham has been very successful at Arizona State. Not sure wht he's be fired
— Joel Wagler (@jawsrecliner) November 26, 2017
Per contracts, buyouts that would be owed Arizona State assistants include:
— Steve Berkowitz (@ByBerkowitz) November 26, 2017
Phil Bennett: $812,500
Billy Napier: Approx $700
Rob Likens: $437,500
As with Todd Graham’s, deals don’t address mitigation/offset
The bottom line on why ASU decided to move on from Graham and eat the money pic.twitter.com/JvlNQUpc3Q
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 26, 2017
Next: Projected Top 25 after Week 13
Graham has a 95-60 overall record as a head coach, spanning his time at Rice (2006), Tulsa (2007-2010), Pitt (2011) and now Arizona State (2012-2017). But he has never really taken a program to great heights in terms of conference titles, major bowl games or national title contention, and the next coach at Arizona State should be walking into a solid situation to try and bring that elusive proverbial next step.