Late Sun Devils coach made impact on Gallup TDFL

Posted by Oree Foster | Jun 29, 2017 | Football |

GALLUP

Tony Dorsett Football League founder Sammy Chioda said the late Frank Kush made an impact on the Gallup program during the two years the former Arizona State University Sun Devils head coach helped conduct a football clinic for area coaches.

“He absolutely made an impact on TDFL players, league-supported coaching staffs and all who attended the football clinic,” Chioda said.

Kush, 88, died last Thursday in Tempe. He was ASU’s head football coach for 21 years, from 1958 to 1979. During his illustrious coaching career, Kush was 176-54-1. He guided the Sun Devils to two Border Conference titles and seven Western Athletic Conference championships.

His Sun Devils won the 1970 Peach Bowl, where he guided ASU to a perfect 11-0 record. ASU won the first three Fiesta Bowls. During the 1975 season, the Sun Devils completed an unblemished 12-0 mark. ASU topped the year off with a 17-14 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Fiesta Bowl, finishing No. 2 in the national rankings.

Chioda said Kush accepted his invitation and was in Gallup in 2011 and 2012 to speak to the clinicians and conduct on-the-field plays.

He added former Gallup High School Bengals head football coach Alex McAllister and former Clovis High School Wildcats head coach Eric Roanhaus were instructors with Kush throughout the clinic.

“His focus was teaching kids how to run properly and get the most out of running,” Chioda said. “He used to say, ‘Everyone runs, but only a few get the most out of the run … through efficient use of the body and proper technique. If you’re going to run, run the right way.’”