:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58083637/usa_today_10421683.0.jpg)
After a brief search period, the Arizona State Sun Devils have a new defensive coordinator in former San Diego State DC Danny Gonzales, Sun Devil Source reported Friday morning.
Breaking: San Diego State defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales will take same position at Arizona State, per sources https://t.co/Pnh0c9adIo
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) December 22, 2017
Gonzales just completed his first season as the defensive coordinator of the Aztecs, but has worked with head coach Rocky Long since 1999, when he joined Long’s staff at New Mexico as a graduate assistant.
A season ago, Gonzales’ Aztec defense finished 11th in the nation with 303.5 yards allowed per game and generated 19 turnovers.
Against ASU this season, Gonzales’s defense held the Sun Devils to 342 yards, well below their average of 427.6 per game. Just 44 of those yards came on the ground, though ASU was without senior running back Demario Richard.
The move comes 10 days after Phil Bennett told the program he would not be back as defensive coordinator after his lone season in Tempe.