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Coaching Excellence

Sun Devil coaches don’t chase records. They set them. They’re the grit behind the glory, the fuel behind the fire, the visionaries that turn potential into power, building teams with a foundation of student-athletes that excel on the field and in the classroom. From national titles to all-time wins, they’ve built a legacy brick by brick. Explore the long-celebrated legacy of awards and achievements of Sun Devil coaches across all sports

National Coach of the YearBig 12 Honors and AwardsPac-12 Honors and AwardsCoaching ChampionshipsCoaching Big 12 ChampionshipsCoaching Pac-12 Championships

Sun Devil all-time national coaching awards

Across decades of competition, Arizona State coaches have earned national recognition for excellence, innovation, and impact. From National Coach of the Year honors to prestigious Hall of Fame inductions, these awards reflect more than wins. They celebrate the vision, leadership, and legacy that define Sun Devil Athletics. This is a tribute to those who have shaped champions, built dynasties, and left an indelible mark on collegiate sports.

National Coach of the Year

At Arizona State, being named National Coach of the Year is more than a personal accolade. It’s a reflection of program excellence, relentless work, and transformative leadership. Each award tells the story of a season that stands among the best in college athletics.

Sun Devil Baseball Coach of the Year

The Bobby Winkles statue sits inside Phoenix Municipal Stadium, home of Sun Devil Baseball.The Bobby Winkles statue sits inside Phoenix Municipal Stadium, home of Sun Devil Baseball.

Jim Brock

  • 1988 Baseball America Coach of the Year 
  • 1984 The Sporting News Coach of the Year 
  • 1981 NCAA Coach of the Year 
  • 1977 NCAA Coach of the Year 

Pat Murphy

  • 1998 Baseball America Coach of the Year

Bobby Winkles 

  • 1969 NCAA Coach of the Year
  • 1969 The Sporting News Coach of the Year 
  • 1967 The Sporting News Coach of the Year 
  • 1965 NCAA Coach of the Year 
  • 1965 The Sporting News Coach of the Year
Frank Kush won 176 games, the most in ASU football history, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.Frank Kush won 176 games, the most in ASU football history, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

Sun Devil Football Coach of the Year

Frank Kush

  • 1975 American Football Association Nation Coach of the Year

 

Bruce Snyder, 1996

  • American Football Association Nation Coach of the Year 
  • Football News Coach of the Year 
  • Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year 
  • Playboy National Coach-of-the-Year 
  • Walter Camp Foundation National Coach-of-the-Year 
  • GTE-AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year 
  • Columbus Touchdown Club Coach of the Year 
  • Downtown Athletic Club of Glenwood, Iowa Coach of the Year 
  • American Football Quarterly Nation Coach of the Year 
  • The Sporting News Coach of the Year 
  • The Maxwell Football Club's George Munger National Coach of the Year Award 
  • Touchdown Club of Washington, D.C., Coach of the Year 
  • ESPN Halftime Blitz West Coach of the Year 
  • Sportsline USA National Coach of the Year

 

Sun Devil Softball Coach of the Year

Clint Myers

  • 2011 NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year 
  • 2008 NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year 

 

Sun Devil Men’s Golf Coach of the Year

Randy Lein

 

Steve Loy

  • 1990 Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year 

 

Sun Devil Women’s Golf Coach of the Year

Missy Farr-Kaye

  • 2017 Golf Pride Grips WGCA National Coach of the Year 
  • 2017 GolfWeek National Coach of the Year

Melissa Luellen

  • 2009 SkyCaddie National Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year

Linda Vollstedt

  • 1997 GolfWeek National Coach of the Year
  • 1995 GolfWeek National Coach of the Year 
  • 1995 National Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year (co-winner)
  • 1994 GolfWeek National Coach of the Year 
  • 1994 National Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year
  • 1993 GolfWeek National Coach of the Year
  • 1989 National Golf Coaches Association Coach of the Year 

 

Sun Devil Men and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year

Greg Kraft

  • 2008 Indoor 
  • 2007 Indoor 
  • 2007 Outdoor 

 

Sun Devil Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year

Sheila McInerney

  • 1997 Wilson/ITA National Coach of the Year 

 

Sun Devil Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year

Bob Bowman

  • 2024 CSCAA Men's Swimming Coach of the Year

Mark Bradshaw

  • 2005 NCAA Diving Coach of the Year 
  • 2003 NCAA Diving Coach of the Year 

 

Sun Devil Triathlon Coach of the Year

Cliff English

  • 2023 CTCA Division I Coach of the Year
  • 2019 CTCA Division I Coach of the Year
  • 2018 CTCA Division I Coach of the Year
  • 2017 CTCA Division I Coach of the Year

 

Big 12 honors and awards

Arizona State stepped into the Big 12 era in 2024, and Sun Devil coaches continued to raise the bar for excellence. Earning Big 12 Coach of the Year honors signals more than success, it marks a bold entrance and a commitment to compete at the highest level. These awards recognize the leaders who adapt, inspire, and deliver results, setting the tone for a new chapter of Sun Devil dominance.

ASU football coach Kenny DillinghamASU football coach Kenny Dillingham

Big 12 Coach of the Year

2024-25 Conference Coach of the Year

  • JJ Van Niell: Volleyball
  • Kenny Dillingham: Football

Pac-12 honors and awards

For decades, Sun Devil coaches made their mark in the Pac-12, one of the most competitive and storied conferences in college athletics. Earning Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors wasn’t just about leading a winning team, but about standing out among the best. These awards celebrate the vision, resilience, and leadership that defined ASU’s legacy in the Pac-12 and helped shape the proud tradition of Sun Devil Athletics.

Pac-12 Coach of the Year

2023-24 

  • JJ Van Niel: Volleyball
  • Bob Bowman: Men's swimming
  • Kristen Rohr: Beach volleyball
  • Matt Thurmond: Men's golf

 

2022-23 

  • Jay Santos: Gymnastics

 

2021-22 Pac-12 Coach of the Year

  • Tim McCormack: Lacrosse
  • Sheila McInerney: Women's tennis
  • Trisha Ford: Softball

 

2020-21 Pac-12 Coach of the Year

  • Tim McCormack: Lacrosse

 

2019-20 

  • Zeke Jones: Wrestling

 

2018-19 

  • Matt Thurmond: Men's golf

 

2017-18 

  • Zeke Jones: Wrestling
  • Jay Santos: Gymnastics
  • Trisha Ford: Softball

 

2016-17 

  • Zeke Jones: Wrestling
  • Missy Farr-Kaye: Women’s golf
  • Bob Bowman: Swimming

 

2015-16 

  • Charli Turner Thorne: Women’s basketball
  • Sheila McInerney: Women’s tennis

 

2014-15 

  • Tim Mickelson: Men’s golf

 

2013-14 

  • Todd Graham: Football

 

2010-11 

  • Clint Myers: Softball
  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving

 

2009-10 

  • Tim Esmay: Baseball
  • Herb Sendek: Men’s basketball
  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving

 

2008-09 

  • Pat Murphy: Baseball
  • Melissa Luellen: Women’s golf

 

2007-08 

  • Pat Murphy: Baseball
  • Lou Belken: Men’s tennis
  • Clint Myers: Softball
  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving
  • Dennis Erickson: Football
  • Greg Kraft: Women’s track and field

 

2006-07 

  • Pat Murphy: Baseball
  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving
  • Melissa Luellen: Women’s golf
  • Greg Kraft: Women’s track and field

 

2005-06 

  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving
  • Melissa Luellen: Women’s golf
  • John Spini: Gymnastics
  • Greg Kraft: Women’s track and field

 

2004-05 

  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving

 

2003-04 

  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving; Women’s diving

2002-03 

  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving

 

2000-01 

  • Charli Turner Thorne: Women’s basketball

 

1999-00 

  • Pat Murphy: Baseball
  • Walt Drenth: Women’s cross country
  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf

 

1998-99 

  • Lou Belken: Men’s tennis
  • Walt Drenth: Women’s cross country
  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf

 

1996-97 

  • Bruce Snyder: Football
  • Sheila McInerney: Women’s tennis

 

1995-96 

  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf
  • John Spini: Gymnastics
  • Dr. Ernie Maglischo: Men’s swimming

 

1994-95 

  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf
  • John Spini: Gymnastics
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf

 

1993-94 

  • Leonard Braxton: Women’s track and field
  • Tim Hill: Women’s diving
  • Ward O'Connell: Women’s diving
  • John Spini: Gymnastics
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf

 

1992-93 

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf
  • Patti Snyder: Volleyball
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf

 

1990-91 

  • Patti Snyder: Volleyball

 

1989-90 

  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling
  • Steve Loy: Men’s golf

 

1988-89 

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling
  • Steve Loy: Men’s golf
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf

 

1986-87 

  • Debbie Brown: Volleyball
  • John Cooper: Football
  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling

 

1983-84 

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling

 

1982-83 

  • Ron Johnson: Men’s swimming
  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling

 

1981-82 

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling

 

1980-81 

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • George Boutell: Men’s golf
  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling
  • Len Miller: Men’s track and field

 

1979-80 

  • Bobby Douglas: Wrestling
  • Ned Wulk: Men’s basketball

 

1978-79 

George Boutell: Men’s golf

Most Pac-12 Coach of the Year Awards

  • Bobby Douglas, wrestling (8): 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1981, 1979
  • Mark Bradshaw, men’s diving (8): 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
  • Jim Brock, baseball (5): 1993, 1988, 1984, 1982, 1981
  • Randy Lein men’s golf (5): 2000, 1999, 1995, 1996, 1993

Years with three or more Pac-12 Coaches of the Year

2007-08 (six recipients)

  • Lou Belken: Men’s tennis
  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving
  • Dennis Erickson: Football
  • Greg Kraft: Women’s track and field
  • Pat Murphy: Baseball
  • Clint Myers: Softball

1993-94 (five recipients)

  • Ward O'Connell: Women’s diving
  • Tim Hill: Women’s diving
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf
  • Leonard Braxton: Women’s track and field
  • John Spini: Gymnastics

 

2023-24 (four recipients)

  • Bob Bowman: Men's swimming
  • Kristen Rohrv: Beach volleyball
  • Matt Thurmond: Men's golf
  • JJ Van Niel: Volleyball

2006-07 (four recipients)

  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving
  • Greg Kraft: Women’s track and field
  • Melissa Luellen: Women’s golf
  • Pat Murphy: Baseball

 

2005-06 (four recipients)

  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving
  • Melissa Luellen: Women’s golf
  • John Spini: Gymnastics
  • Greg Kraft: Women’s track and field

1992-93 (four recipients)

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf
  • Patti Snyder: Volleyball
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf

 

2021-22 (three recipients)

  • Tim McCormack: Lacrosse
  • Sheila McInerney: Women's tennis
  • Trisha Ford: Softball

2017-18 (three recipients)

  • Zeke Jones: Wrestling
  • Jay Santos: Gymnastics

Trisha Ford: Softball

2016-17 (three recipients)

  • Zeke Jones: Wrestling
  • Missy Farr-Kaye: Women’s golf
  • Bob Bowman: Swimming

2009-10 (three recipients)

  • Tim Esmay: Baseball
  • Herb Sendekv: Men’s basketball
  • Mark Bradshaw: Men’s diving

1999-2000 (three recipients)

  • Pat Murphy: Baseball
  • Walt Drenth: Women’s cross country
  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf

1998-99 (three recipients)

  • Lou Belken: Men’s tennis
  • Walt Drenth: Women’s cross country
  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf

1995-96 (three recipients)

  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf
  • John Spini: Gymnastics
  • Dr. Ernie Maglischo: Men’s swimming

1994-95 (three recipients)

  • Randy Lein: Men’s golf
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf
  • John Spini: Gymnastics

1988-89 (three recipients)

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • Steve Loy: Men’s golf
  • Linda Vollstedt: Women’s golf

1980-81 (three recipients)

  • Jim Brock: Baseball
  • George Boutell: Men’s golf

Len Miller: Men’s track and field

Coaches in championships

Big 12 champions

Sun Devil coaches are leading the charge in the Big 12 with the same fire that built a legacy in the Pac-12. Every Big 12 championship won under their leadership is a bold reminder: ASU’s standard travels, and triumphs, anywhere.

2024-25

Football: Kenny Dillingham

Volleyball: JJ Van Niell

Mens and women’s Swimming and diving: Herbie Beh

 

Pac-12 Team championships

For decades, Sun Devil coaches shaped one of the most decorated eras in Pac-12 history. They didn’t just prepare teams, they built dynasties. From intense rivalries to unforgettable title runs, these leaders left a permanent imprint on the conference. Every championship reflects the vision, discipline, and drive of coaches who turned moments into milestones and made ASU a driving force in the Pac-12.

 

Most Pac-12 Team Championships won by Sun Devil Coaches

  • Randy Lein, Men's Golf (8): 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2008
  • Bobby Douglas, Wrestling (8): 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
  • Zeke Jones, Wrestling (6): 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
  • Linda Vollstedt, Women's Golf (6): 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
  • Lee Roy Smith, Wrestling (5): 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001

Conference titles won since 1978-79

Baseball 

  • Tim Esmay: 2010
  • Pat Murphy: 2009, 2008, 2007 (title vacated), 2000 (co-champions)
  • Jim Brock: 1993, 1988, 1984, 1982, 1981

Women's basketball (3) 

  • Charli Turner Thorne: 2015-16 (Co-Champions); 2001-02 (Pac-10 Tournament Champions); 2000-01 (Co-Champions)

Football (3) 

  • Dennis Erickson: 2007 (Co-Champions)
  • Bruce Snyder: 1996
  • John Cooper: 1986

Men's golf (13) 

  • Matt Thurmond: 2024
  • Randy Lein: 2008, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996: 1995, 1993: 
  • Steve Loy: 1990, 1989
  • George Boutell: 1981, 1979

Women's golf (8) 

  • Melissa Luellen: 2009, 2007
  • Linda Vollstedt: 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1988, 1987

Gymnastics (1) 

Jay and Jess Santos: 2022 (regular season shared with Cal, Oregon State and Utah)

Softball (3) 

  • Trisha Ford: 2022 
  • Clint Myers: 2011
  • Clint Myers: 2008 

Men's swimming (3) 

  • Herbie Behm: 2025
  • Bob Bowman: 2024, 2023

Women's swimming (1) 

  • Herbie Behm: 2025


Women's track and field (3) 

  • Greg Kraft: 2008, 2007, 2006

Men's track and field (1)

  • Len Miller: 1981

Wrestling (22) 

  • Zeke Jones: 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017
  • Thom Ortiz: 2006, 2005, 2003
  • Lee Roy Smith: 2001, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1993
  • Bobby Douglas: 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1980