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Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham was fired Sunday morning. It was followed by an eruption on social media.
The Sun Devils had just beat their arch-rival, the Arizona Wildcats, less than 15 hours prior, 42-30, improving Graham’s record to 4-2 against Arizona. With the win, the Sun Devils clinched a second place finish in the Pac-12 South.
First it was this.
Dan Wolken of USA TODAY reported that Graham would be fired no matter what the Territorial Cup’s result was, minutes prior to kickoff.
Win or lose, Arizona State coach believes he will be fired. https://t.co/5MOEMVZrU4
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) November 25, 2017
ASU beats rival Arizona, 42-30.
Great win by @FootballASU to bring home the Territorial Cup! #ClaimTheCup #ForksUp https://t.co/xHIL2lLthu
— Michael Crow (@michaelcrow) November 26, 2017
#KeepToddGraham #KeepToddGraham #KeepToddGraham #KeepToddGraham
— Wired Devils (@WiredDevils) November 26, 2017
#keeptoddgraham #keeptoddgraham #keeptoddgraham #keeptoddgraham #keeptoddgraham get the hint??
— Emilee (@SundevilMLE) November 26, 2017
Make sure @SunDevilRay23 doesn’t set ASU back another 5 year’s by firing CTG!! #KeepToddGraham #FireRayAndersonInstead
— Sun Devil Boz (@SunDevilBoz) November 26, 2017
Sunday morning at 8:40 a.m.
BREAKING: Todd Graham has officially been fired as ASU's head coach.
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) November 26, 2017
Reports: Arizona State fires Todd Graham https://t.co/WT3ZuBLkwl
— House of Sparky (@HouseOfSparky) November 26, 2017
Current Players reacted.
Wow, I’m So Sick .
— Demario Richard . (@CodeBlackRich4) November 26, 2017
That's Craaazy
— Crump#️⃣4️⃣ (@Crumptrip4) November 26, 2017
@CoachGrahamASU thank you coach for being such a great coach and showing us what Discipline, Smart, Tough, and Character is in this great game of football. We will for sure miss you and the TTH mindset you motivated us to have and embrace everyday!! ⬆️
— Slash (@TyJohnson41) November 26, 2017
Thank You @CoachGrahamASU pic.twitter.com/Rq4bzlNEhx
— #✌ (@BradyWhite223) November 26, 2017
Wow...
— Aj Latu (@Aj_latu44) November 26, 2017
— John Humphrey Jr (@Official_JHump) November 26, 2017
Wow man.. That’s crazy.
— Ryan Newsome (@NewBoi17) November 26, 2017
I don’t understand.
— A.J. McCollum (@AJ_McCollum) November 26, 2017
Former players
It wasn’t just about football for Coach Graham. He turned boys to men on and off the field! Built character!
— Strizzy (@JaelenStrong) November 26, 2017
Damn @SunDevilRay23 you must really wanted my guy gone. Can’t wait to see our next move https://t.co/3U9Zvxb1YT
— Strizzy (@JaelenStrong) November 26, 2017
Can’t believe this...
— Taylor Kelly (@Taylor_Kelly10) November 26, 2017
Going forward.. i think we need to make a splash hire who will have a heavy impact on recruiting. And also be able to utilize the abundance of talent we already have. We need to raise the standard so we can get back to competing for championships! #asu
— Kyle Williams (@KyleWilliams_10) November 26, 2017
thanks @CoachGrahamASU for helping our program reach new levels in the classroom as citizens and big time wins.
— Eric Allen (@EricAllen619) November 26, 2017
The journalists
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
Over 1,000 votes so far and 84% wanted to keep CTG pic.twitter.com/jNkCCgnVo8
— Brad Denny (@BDenny29) November 26, 2017
The Todd Graham era has come to an end. His positive impact on @FootballASU can’t be stated enough. Thank you #CTG.
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) November 26, 2017
Ray Anderson fired Herb Sendek after the basketball team overachieved, hired Bobby Hurley. Let’s see if he can make it happen again… #ASU
— Zac Pacleb (@ZacPacleb) November 26, 2017
ASU is no better off today than when Todd took over for Dirk - program is basically the same. Mediocre/subpar football program that has a good year every so often and always has to fire its coach and pay millions to him to walk away. Adding amazing financial burden - $11 mill
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) November 26, 2017
For some context: I sat down with @michaelcrow following #ASU's loss to Texas Tech on Sept. 16. Here were his thoughts – at that point – about Todd Graham's job and his future at Arizona State. pic.twitter.com/780S0xb3Aq
— Tyler Paley (@TylerPaley) November 26, 2017
The Buyout
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
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 Replacements
Hearing that Kevin Sumlin will be the next Arizona State head coach. Would be surprised if a deal isn't done in very short order.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) November 26, 2017
Am told the speculation about Kevin Sumlin to #ASU being a done deal is completely false. Source has told me there has been no contact between ASU & Sumlin or anyone who represents him.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 26, 2017
Todd Graham's been fired. #ASU will have some interesting options. Names I expect to get consideration for the HC vacancy: Kevin Sumlin, Derek Mason, Dana Holgorsen, Pep Hamilton, Jedd Fisch & ... https://t.co/6UYEVpQGpY
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 26, 2017
Via @DougHaller: Possible replacements for Todd Graham include: Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin, Vanderbilt’s Derek Mason and Michigan assistant head coach Pep Hamilton.
— Anne Ryman (@anneryman) November 26, 2017