Dillingham hints at ASU changes enabled by unlimited on-field coaches

Arizona State Sun Devils: Unleashing the Full Potential of Their NFL Expertise

Two decades after leading the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl championship as their head coach and defensive coordinator, Brian Billick and Marvin Lewis found themselves collaborating once again at Arizona State University. During the 2022 season, both men worked under Herm Edwards, bringing their extensive NFL experience to the college football arena. Interestingly, both Billick and Lewis boasted better records as NFL head coaches than Edwards, highlighting the depth of professional expertise on the Sun Devils’ staff.

The Arizona State Sun Devils arguably had more NFL head coaching experience on their staff than any other college team in the country. Alongside Billick and Lewis, the staff included Hall of Fame offensive lineman Kevin Mawae. This trio’s combined knowledge and experience offered a treasure trove of insights and strategies that could significantly benefit the team.

The Limiting Factor: NCAA Rules

However, there was a significant limitation to this brain trust. Due to NCAA rules, Billick, Lewis, Mawae, and others not employed as position coaches or coordinators were restricted from coaching the team’s players in games or practices. The NCAA allowed only 15 individuals — a head coach, 10 on-field assistants, and four graduate assistants — to provide direct instruction to players.

This restriction meant that despite their lifetime of learned experience, Billick, Lewis, and Mawae were often sidelined during crucial moments. No matter what they observed in practices or games that needed correction, they were not supposed to communicate these insights directly to the players. This bottleneck effectively kept much of their invaluable experience and tactical knowledge underutilized.

In late June, the NCAA’s Division I Council voted to lift this restrictive rule, allowing an unlimited number of on-field instructors. This significant change means that experts like Billick, Lewis, and Mawae can now actively coach and guide players during games and practices, fully utilizing their expertise to improve team performance.

Unleashing the Full Potential

With this new rule in place, the Sun Devils are poised to leverage their full potential. The ability to have NFL veterans directly involved in coaching will likely have a transformative impact on the team’s development and on-field performance. Players will benefit from the direct transfer of knowledge and skills from coaches who have succeeded at the highest levels of the sport.

Billick and Lewis can now impart their defensive strategies, game management insights, and motivational techniques without restrictions. Mawae’s Hall of Fame-level offensive line expertise will be directly accessible to players, helping to elevate their performance and understanding of the game.

As Arizona State heads into the upcoming season, the impact of this rule change will be closely watched. The Sun Devils, with their unique blend of extensive NFL coaching experience and now-unrestricted access to this expertise, could become a formidable force in college football.

The NCAA’s decision to allow an unlimited number of on-field instructors is a game-changer not just for Arizona State but potentially for college football as a whole. Teams with experienced coaching staffs can now fully utilize their resources, providing players with the best possible guidance and development.

The Arizona State Sun Devils are entering a new era where their wealth of NFL coaching experience can be fully harnessed. The NCAA’s rule change has uncorked a lifetime of learned experience, promising to enhance the team’s performance and offering a fascinating storyline for the upcoming season.