TEMPE, Ariz.--Frank Kush, Arizona State University and College Football Hall of Fame inductee and the winningest coach in Sun Devil Football history, passed away Thursday at 88. Kush was a part of the ASU family since 1955 and served in many roles over the years, most recently as an ambassador for Sun Devil Athletics.
Kush went on to win 176 games, the most in school history, across 21.5 seasons and was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He led his team to seven Western Athletic Conference Championships and guided the Sun Devils to winning seasons in 19 of his 22 years. The Hall of Famer also holds the ASU football record for most postseason victories.
With Kush's 1975 team finishing second in the national rankings, he was named the National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp Foundation. Aside from producing winning teams, Kush helped guide 38 college players to All-America honors and 128 players into the National Football League, including 10 first-round draft picks and 17 Pro Bowlers.
Three Sun Devil legends who competed at Arizona State under the tutelage of Kush went on to be inducted into the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Curley Culp (1965-67, inducted in 2013), Mike Haynes (1972-75, inducted in 1997), and Charley Taylor (1961-63, inducted in 1984).
After his coaching career ended in 1979, he went back to ASU 21 years later and served as a special assistant to the Athletics Director and then as an ambassador for Sun Devil Athletics. Since then, Kush won multiple awards and honors, including being inducted into the Peach Bowl Hall of Fame, the Michigan State Hall of Fame, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lott Impact Trophy.
Away from football, Kush has served the community in many entities and on numerous boards, and was the former executive director of the Arizona Boys Ranch.
After ASU Kush served as Head Coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 1981 and as Head Coach of the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts from 1982-84. He was the Head Coach of the Arizona Outlaws in 1985.
Kush is of Polish descent and was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.
Preceding his coaching career, Kush served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, while simultaneously coaching the Fort Benning football team.
Kush was born on January 20, 1929 in Windber, Pa., and went on to attend Michigan State University, where he became a star football player. Kush was a two-way player and went 26-1 in his collegiate career. He earned a spot on the Look Magazine All-America team in 1952 and won a national championship in his senior season.
Quotes
ASU President Michael M. Crow
"Coach Kush built ASU into a national football power," ASU President Michael M. Crow said. "He taught us how to make football work, and he put ASU on the map long before it was a full-scale university. Throughout his life he maintained his strong connection to ASU, working with coaches and devoting time to the football program. By growing ASU football he helped us build the whole university into what it is today. He will be sorely missed."
ASU Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson
"Frank Kush is Sun Devil football. Frank was the architect of Sun Devil football and is revered by all Sun Devils everywhere. He's a college football Hall of Famer, he's in our Hall of Distinction and the field at Sun Devil Stadium is named after him. Today, he and his family are in our hearts."
ASU Head Football Coach Todd Graham "My thoughts and prayers are with the Kush family," said head football coach Todd Graham. "It was a privilege to have known such a coaching legend and man. His legacy will always be the cornerstone of the Arizona State football program. Coach Kush I will miss you my friend."
Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell
"Frank Kush was a giant. He was the heart and soul of the ASU Sun Devil football team for 21 years and his legacy with ASU and Tempe will not be soon forgotten. I'm sending my thoughts and prayers to his family and to anyone who Coach Kush touched over his many years of service to our community."
LINKS AND STORIES ON COACH KUSH
ARIZONA SPORTS 98.7 FM HONORS COACH KUSH WITH RADIO SHOW (JUNE 29, 2017)
Clicker here for a photo gallery of Frank Kush
VIDEO: Remembering Frank Kush…Camp Tontozona
PITCHFORK POSTS: A Legend's Impact
VIDEO: Danny White remembers Frank Kush:
FROM ESPN: Frank Kush, who built Arizona State into a powerhouse, dies at 88
FROM AZCENTRAL.COM: Legendary ASU Coach Frank Kush dies at 88
DAN BICKLEY: Kush put ASU football…and Arizona…on the map
Frank Kush's Legacy Far Greater Than Winning Football Games
ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Remembering Kush
How Frank Kush took pity on a nervous reporter (by Scott Bordow, Arizona Republic/June 23, 2017)
Reaction to the passing of Frank Kush (by Arizona State Rivals.com)
Danny White on the passing of Coach Kush on Sports 360AZ
Frank Kush made the Territorial Cup rivalry what it is today (ABC-15)
AZCENTRAL.COM COACH KUSH PHOTO GALLERY
FROM KTVK-3: Legendary Coach Kush dead at 88
College Football Foundation Talks About Coach Kush
Mike Haynes Remembers Frank Kush
Remembering Sun Devil Legend Frank Kush (Video)
Al McCoy on the Passing of Frank Kush
Sun Devil Science: Kush in Perspective
Frank Kush and His Influence on Arizona State (Video)
PODCAST: Remembering Frank Kush
Arizona Honors 'Instrumental' ASU Coach Frank Kush With His Own Day
Govenor Ducey Declares, "Frank Kush Day"
Mourners Gather to Say Goodbye to ASU Football Legend Frank Kush
45 Years Later, Coolidge Icon Still Values Life Lessons from Kush
Kush started his career at ASU in 1955 as an assistant under former head coach Dan Devine. Three seasons later, on Dec. 22, 1957, Kush became the 15th football coach in Arizona State history.Take a listen as former @FootballASU greats remembered Coach Kush:https://t.co/y7c1DeQlAt
— Sun Devil Athletics (@TheSunDevils) July 5, 2017
7.5.17
— Sun Devil Club (@sundevilclub) July 5, 2017
Frank Kush Dayhttps://t.co/S8lEFDtOk2
Kush went on to win 176 games, the most in school history, across 21.5 seasons and was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He led his team to seven Western Athletic Conference Championships and guided the Sun Devils to winning seasons in 19 of his 22 years. The Hall of Famer also holds the ASU football record for most postseason victories.
Kush led the Sun Devils to six victories in seven bowl games, including the 1970 Peach Bowl and 1975 Fiesta Bowl where the team capped off two undefeated seasons. The Peach Bowl marked ASU's first bowl game in 19 years and the Fiesta Bowl win pushed the Sun Devils to second in the national rankings, the highest ever under Kush.On Frank Kush Day, hear seven @FootballASU legends share their stories & memories of @TheSunDevils coaching icon https://t.co/OXiyCZdxTy pic.twitter.com/9c58xVJ3h2
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) July 5, 2017
With Kush's 1975 team finishing second in the national rankings, he was named the National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp Foundation. Aside from producing winning teams, Kush helped guide 38 college players to All-America honors and 128 players into the National Football League, including 10 first-round draft picks and 17 Pro Bowlers.
During his tenure Kush coached and mentored three College Football Hall of Fame inductees, including Bob Breunig (1972-74, inducted in 2015), Mike Haynes (1972-75, inducted in 2001), and John Jefferson (1974-77, inducted in 2002).Best part of my day, listening to Frank Kush stories told by his former players. @FootballASU @TheSunDevils #12Sports pic.twitter.com/vMhr9TbkQW
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) June 23, 2017
Three Sun Devil legends who competed at Arizona State under the tutelage of Kush went on to be inducted into the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Curley Culp (1965-67, inducted in 2013), Mike Haynes (1972-75, inducted in 1997), and Charley Taylor (1961-63, inducted in 1984).
After his coaching career ended in 1979, he went back to ASU 21 years later and served as a special assistant to the Athletics Director and then as an ambassador for Sun Devil Athletics. Since then, Kush won multiple awards and honors, including being inducted into the Peach Bowl Hall of Fame, the Michigan State Hall of Fame, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lott Impact Trophy.
Away from football, Kush has served the community in many entities and on numerous boards, and was the former executive director of the Arizona Boys Ranch.
After ASU Kush served as Head Coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 1981 and as Head Coach of the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts from 1982-84. He was the Head Coach of the Arizona Outlaws in 1985.
Kush is of Polish descent and was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.
Preceding his coaching career, Kush served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, while simultaneously coaching the Fort Benning football team.
Kush was born on January 20, 1929 in Windber, Pa., and went on to attend Michigan State University, where he became a star football player. Kush was a two-way player and went 26-1 in his collegiate career. He earned a spot on the Look Magazine All-America team in 1952 and won a national championship in his senior season.
Quotes
ASU President Michael M. Crow
"Coach Kush built ASU into a national football power," ASU President Michael M. Crow said. "He taught us how to make football work, and he put ASU on the map long before it was a full-scale university. Throughout his life he maintained his strong connection to ASU, working with coaches and devoting time to the football program. By growing ASU football he helped us build the whole university into what it is today. He will be sorely missed."
ASU Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson
"Frank Kush is Sun Devil football. Frank was the architect of Sun Devil football and is revered by all Sun Devils everywhere. He's a college football Hall of Famer, he's in our Hall of Distinction and the field at Sun Devil Stadium is named after him. Today, he and his family are in our hearts."
ASU Head Football Coach Todd Graham "My thoughts and prayers are with the Kush family," said head football coach Todd Graham. "It was a privilege to have known such a coaching legend and man. His legacy will always be the cornerstone of the Arizona State football program. Coach Kush I will miss you my friend."
Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell
"Frank Kush was a giant. He was the heart and soul of the ASU Sun Devil football team for 21 years and his legacy with ASU and Tempe will not be soon forgotten. I'm sending my thoughts and prayers to his family and to anyone who Coach Kush touched over his many years of service to our community."
LINKS AND STORIES ON COACH KUSH
ARIZONA SPORTS 98.7 FM HONORS COACH KUSH WITH RADIO SHOW (JUNE 29, 2017)
Clicker here for a photo gallery of Frank Kush
VIDEO: Remembering Frank Kush…Camp Tontozona
PITCHFORK POSTS: A Legend's Impact
VIDEO: Danny White remembers Frank Kush:
FROM ESPN: Frank Kush, who built Arizona State into a powerhouse, dies at 88
FROM AZCENTRAL.COM: Legendary ASU Coach Frank Kush dies at 88
DAN BICKLEY: Kush put ASU football…and Arizona…on the map
Frank Kush's Legacy Far Greater Than Winning Football Games
ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Remembering Kush
How Frank Kush took pity on a nervous reporter (by Scott Bordow, Arizona Republic/June 23, 2017)
Reaction to the passing of Frank Kush (by Arizona State Rivals.com)
Danny White on the passing of Coach Kush on Sports 360AZ
Frank Kush made the Territorial Cup rivalry what it is today (ABC-15)
AZCENTRAL.COM COACH KUSH PHOTO GALLERY
FROM KTVK-3: Legendary Coach Kush dead at 88
College Football Foundation Talks About Coach Kush
Mike Haynes Remembers Frank Kush
Remembering Sun Devil Legend Frank Kush (Video)
Al McCoy on the Passing of Frank Kush
Sun Devil Science: Kush in Perspective
Frank Kush and His Influence on Arizona State (Video)
PODCAST: Remembering Frank Kush
Arizona Honors 'Instrumental' ASU Coach Frank Kush With His Own Day
Govenor Ducey Declares, "Frank Kush Day"
Mourners Gather to Say Goodbye to ASU Football Legend Frank Kush
45 Years Later, Coolidge Icon Still Values Life Lessons from Kush