ASU Football: Coordinators to remain on sidelines, Hayes' role clarified

Thursday consisted of the usual routine for Arizona State, as the Sun Devils held their final practice at a fairly low intensity before Friday's walkthrough and Saturday's game against Colorado.

While much of the buzz in Sun Devil Nation is still amped after the dramatic victory over UCLA last week, coach Todd Graham made sure the team celebrated and then immediately moved on the Buffaloes.

"We don't spend a lot of time talking about it," Graham said. "It's nice to see their faces after that, their parents, it's nice seeing Mike Bercovici hugging his dad on the sideline. But we celebrated in the locker room for about 10, 15 minutes and then we go to the next game."

Graham was asked if Keith Patterson and Mike Norvell would continue their gameday roles on the sideline, and after answering 'no' initially, he smiled and confirmed the coordinators would remain on the sideline.

"Obviously what we're trying to do, Coach Patterson and I defensively when I'm working with him and Coach Slocum and I on special teams, and because Patterson's moved up and initiated the calls it's allowed me to get involved a little bit and help him as a defensive consultant (while) on offense," Graham said. "We're trying to score every time we get the ball, we're trying to stop them every time they get it. One of the thing's I think has been really nice is how we coordinate between each other and a lot of that you've seen in results.

"Our deal is about snaps, it's about having a disciplined team that gets more opportunities. That's the formula to be successful. I don't care what the score is if we win. 60-0 won't happen in this league."

As tight end Kody Kohl hasn't been consistently productive this season, the Sun Devils have been honing freshman Jay Jay Wilson to step in and earn playing time. Graham reported on his progress.

"We're working on him. he's doing a great job on special teams, we have him on kickoff return and punt. He's done  a good job for us, I like his attitude. It's been a maturation process for him."

De'Chevon Hayes has been working with the defense in recent weeks as his role has morphed from a strictly-offensive and special teams weapon to a player who can contribute on every unit.

"I think he'll play more nickel. I just want to make sure he understands what he's doing," Graham said. "You know rushing the passer on defense is different form playing in a secondary that runs twenty different coverage. I think we can do some things He's very natural, instinctive, even though he's still learning what he's doing. He's had a great attitude about it too."