Reports: Arizona State athletic director gave updates on the football program’s tryouts
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini joined head football coach Kenny Dillingham on the flight back from Cincinnati last Saturday. Following Dillingham’s remarks about holding open tryouts for a kicker, they began receiving emails from interested students.
Dillingham had publicly criticized ASU’s kicking performance—later issuing an apology—after Ian Hershey missed two field goals in a recent loss. The program is now taking steps to provide opportunities for interested students.
“He took the time to meet with our special teams players on the flight to ensure there was no misunderstanding about his comments,” Rossini shared with Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Thursday. “At the same time, we want to keep addressing that aspect of the game and ensure our special teams remain as competitive as our offense and defense.”
“A lot of people reached out, including current ASU students and others who aren’t at the university yet. The main focus has been on current students who have eligibility and are academically qualified. I know they’re evaluating several of them this week.”
Rossini shared that the tryouts are still ongoing.
The Sun Devils are taking advantage of their bye week after starting the season 5-2. They will face Oklahoma State on November 2, and securing one more victory would ensure Arizona State a bowl game for the first time since the 2021 season.
Ian Hershey, who transferred to ASU from Idaho State, has hit 20 of 21 extra points this year and converted 7 of 12 field goals, with 3 of 8 from 30 yards or more.
Nolan Krinsky is one of the students who has tried out, having pursued a spot on the team for several years, as detailed by Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Eisenberg this week.
Had a great time out the tryout. I want to thank the ASU coaching staff for having me out. Super blessed for the opportunity. Regardless on who they decide on I still can’t believe I got to see my dream come true after all of this hard work. Thank you to everyone for helping me…
— Nolan Krinsky (@NolanKrinsky) October 23, 2024
“Fortune favors the bold, so it’s great that people are willing to take a chance,” Rossini stated. “That said, if they can contribute, they’ve made sure our coaches are aware. Coach Dillingham and the special teams staff are exploring all options, including nurturing our two talented kickers with extra coaching so they’re ready for big moments again.
“We’ll see how it unfolds. It’s a good opportunity during the bye week to strengthen this aspect of our game.”
No Update on Arizona State’s Desert Financial Arena
Rossini acknowledged shortly after his appointment that ASU’s basketball arena needed improvements.
On Thursday, he mentioned he wasn’t ready to provide any updates on the future of Desert Financial Arena but emphasized the commitment to enhancing the gameday experience.
“We’re focused on understanding what can be achieved in that building,” Rossini said. “We’re prioritizing improvements in areas like traffic, concessions, and the in-game show, while also looking at what the arena needs to evolve to support our teams and create a great environment for our fans.”
The Sun Devils are set to begin their first year in the basketball powerhouse Big 12, with the regular season opener on November 5.