:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68568146/usa_today_15172518.0.jpg)
After decades in the coaching game, Arizona State offensive line coach Dave Christensen announced his retirement on Monday night.
Hope you enjoy this video! https://t.co/UnqCMCNydB pic.twitter.com/3S23CHqRco
— Dave Christensen (@Koach_C) December 22, 2020
Christensen came to the Sun Devil program in 2017, he started coaching in 2018, and served in the position for three seasons. Before that, he was the head coach at Wyoming for five years, along with stops as an assistant at Texas A&M, Utah, Missouri and Washington.
Despite having an offensive line that lacked experience, Christensen put together a group that provided space for DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum and Rachaad White to have explosive seasons.
Pro Football Focus rated Dohnovan West and Kellen Diesch as two of the highest players in the conference at their positions.
Possible replacements:
Kevin Mawae, Arizona State Offensive Analyst
The Pro Football hall of fame lineman has served on Herm Edwards staff since 2018 as an analyst. Mawae replied on Twitter to Christensen’s tweet, that seemed to show he was interested in the job.
@Koach_C thank you for what you have done for the game of football. Thank you even more for the knowledge of coaching you have shared w me. Hopefully I’ll be added to your “tree” and will consider it an honor! And thank you most of all for your friendship!
— Kevin Mawae (@KevinMawae) December 22, 2020
The players who have worked with Mawae in the limited aspects they’re allowed to interact in, have positive reviews. Also keep in mind, just because a player is good at playing doesn’t mean he’ll be a great coach. Nevertheless, Mawae seems like a possibility for the position.
Brad Bedell, Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line
Generally, coaching hires have connections and Bedell is connected with Arizona State offensive coordinator Zak Hill. Bedell worked with Hill at Boise in the same position he currently holds. Bedell grew up in California and went to Colorado, and there are Pac-12 ties.
Scott Peters, Assistant Offensive Line Coaching
Peters is the biggest long shot of this group. The former Sun Devil offensive lineman is currently serving in his first coaching role with the Cleveland Browns this season.
There he is under Bill Callahan, who is regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in history, and for a team that has a top offensive line in the NFL right now.